The Washington herald., 1918-02-26

1t is the deliberate Judgment OF
several OF the deepest thinkers of
Congress that both major parties
will pass out of existence in the
not far distant future.
There are many reasons and first
cousins to reasons why this is be-
lieved to Be true.
The first a1d most important rea-
son is that neither old party can ac-
complish anything in its own name
and in it's own right at the present
time.
Every worthwhile principle
which has received Endorsement at
the hands OF any great govern
mental agency during the past four
or five years has been indorsed by
both Democrats and Republicans, in
the rank and file, and among the
leaders as well. There has been no
party ownership.
The Democrats, naturally enough
have received credit for the nom
war reforms, but their efforts have
been as we'll receievd by Republic
cans as by Democrats. They have
been entitled to the credit and they
have been rewarded for their efforts.
But the condition cannot continue
alW ays.
Then there are questions ahead
OF us which defy party solution,
along the present recognized lines.
There must be new alignnients be-
fore they can be solved. Present
party organizations might struggle
along and try more or less ineffec-
tually to solve these problems, but
no enduring success can be met.
The differences between capital and
labor constitute the most overwhelm-
ing problem. These may not be IRON
ed out greatly during the war, though
temporiZing Is the order OF the day.
The great struggle must come after
the war-and it would not be surpris-
ing, when It came, IL there would be
an attendant Socialistic struggle
which would overshadow the inherent
phases of the labor problem proper.
All Of this is for the future. There
are many big things ahead. The
people and the men who represent
them must be courageous and alert
and patriotic. 1t will be no time for
political derelicts or demagogues to
seek office, or at least to be given Of
fee by the voters. The brains and
patriotism of the country must be
concentrated at Washington. After
the world is made safe for democracy
there must come the also very large
Job, which we have spoken about be-
fore, of making democracy safe for
the world.
Russian troubles are multiplying
for us as we'll as those who are
closer to the scenes of turbulence
We find that Russia produces 80
per cent of the platinum Of the
world. And here we are sadly in
need OF that product. And Ger
mans. it appears. are at this very
moment working the mines of Rus
sia and securing this valuable
product and sending it back to the
Vaterland. Verify. the more the
people see of the Russian debacle's
effect the more they will be anxious
to see some of the Russian leader
ship treated to a necktie party. II
there are any of our readers who
don't know what this is, ask a
Westerner.
Interest is widespread over the
country in the war finance corpora
ton bill. Many public utilities are
| grinding along at a snairs pace be-
cause Of the dreary outlook. The
hope is that this measure will pro-
vide a capital issues statute that will
help them out of their trouble. The
| utilities. so their managers say. are
anxious to do all they can to be of
service to the people. But they in
sist they cannot do the impossible
and that 1t would be trying this to
endeavor to make them operate at
high speed under present rates in
most cases, and with the bond mar
ket sadly depleted on account Of
the war. Congress Is going to give
this measure the closest scrutiny not
alone because of the tremendous i'm
portance of the utility situation. but
because the opportunity is offered
to learn some of the real facts about
| public utility financing.
Recurring to the platinum sub
| ject. in another paragraph. we might
~ that N alactxiH bulb ahagtaxa