The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-11-23

"HARLES JOHNSON POST. director OF the
Publishers Advisory Board, after anal wing
the Congressional returns, states IN an inter.
view that the Republican gains were the result Of
the mistakes and un- American policies IN congress
Of the democratic majority leader, Congressman
Kitchin of North Carolina. He naturally has IN
mind kitchin opposition to war and TO the postal
zone law.
"Mr. Kitchin. SAYS Director Post, WAS not
an ordinary member of congress giving expression
10 his individual views on personal paciiicism or
personal righteousness; he was the responsible
leader of the majority party representing the ad-
minisiration ON the floor of congress. This mcred-
iblc style of leadership and thought land the toun-
dation for congressional democratic defeat. The
first opportunity registered the protest of the peo-
ple against kitchin and kitchin methods IN con-
gress. 1t is Mr.. kitchin himself who has defeated
the democratic party by persistent dizziness and
lack of vision. -
We would not pat il quite that strong. 1t was
not kitchin, for instance. who brought about the
defeat of the democratic party IN New Mexico.
Yet Kitchin and Kitchin methods played their
part and had their Influence here aN elsewhere
throughout the nation. and not the least of kitch-
in sins against the people of this netiou is tn,
postal zone law which he advocated and was most
Influential in passing by lacking II onto a war rev
emlc measure AT the last minute, after the louclng
proposal had been twice defeated IN the senate AT
the same session of congress.
The postal zone law. 10 newspapers like the
Herald. which does not circulate widely outside of
the home state. Is not much Of u financial hardship.
but 1t is an operating nuisance and q useless ar-
counting burden on every publication entering the
mails a. second class matter. More than that 1t Is,
as Post says. un-Amcrican in It's principle. II tends
TO raise the cost of information and interchange of
thought. Lincoln abolished it and the zone system
has been denounced by every postal commission
since then. kitchnl forced this destructive and uu-
American postal law into the war revenue act, then
went Ia the senate conference committee and com
PEELED its acceptance. The war revenue measure
could not be- delayed. kitchin wou-thcu.
But the final result has been 10 los" kItchn his
job not as a congressman bat rs q congressional
leader. IL helped 10 turn the newspapers and the
publishers Of the whole nation not only against
kitchin. but against kitchiu party. There were
other Influence at work. 10 be- sure, hut the
kitchin postal zone policy had It's far reaching
effect.
In this connection Director Post points out that
three congressman who favored the postal zone law
were defeated ia California, three IN Illinois, four
IN Indiana. two in Iowa, live I'M Kansas, -four i'm
Missouri, four IN Nebraska, SIX in Ohio. OF the pro.
zone law congressman who were defeated five were
republicans and twcnty-thrcc were democrats. sen
timcnt against the postal zone law is not partisan By
any means.
Unfortunately the united protest of American
newspapers could not reach Mr.. Kitchin of Scot
land Neck, n. G.. population 1000 10 defeat h'
reelection. lie is solid in his home section. Accord
ing Ia current report they are not strong for news
papers or general information IN kitchiu : town
But kitchin a. a national administration Influence
and u congressional power has been effectively elm
mated. It's a safe bet that his postal zone law vii
soon follow him into the discard.