Arizona republican., 1918-04-29
Liberty is not the right of one, but of all.
 Herbert Spencer.
The President and Congress

What objection has been raised against the Over man bill, has not been based any fear that the power it would give the president would be abused Indeed those who have opposed the bill the most strenuously have stated that the they have done so was that the legislation unnecessary that it really proposed to confer upon the president no power he could not already exercise. Simmered down, the objection to the measure was that the legislation came from the White House with more or less peremptory order for it's prompt enactment It was the of the presentation Of the Dill ratlier than it's character that provoked antagonsm IL implied degree of inferority on the part of a CO., ordinate branch of the government which large number of congressman of both parties resented
 The amendments designed to exempt the Inter- state Commerce Commission and the Federal Reserve Beard from the operation of the proposed law would not have secured to either of those bodies, inde pendence of action it would not possess under the unamended law. While their duties clearly de- fined by laws the duties of all officials in ap- pointive positions the personnel of these bodies exists at the pleasure of the president They and ali other such bodies well bureaus and departments are supposed assist in carrying out the policies of the president When appontive officer has re- fused to do so he has generally been quickly replaced by who would do
 The proponents of the Overman bill have argued that it should be passed in order that there might be divided responsibility for the conduct of the var There is divided responsibility. Every member of the administration from the secretary of state down. including the members of every bureau and board in any way associated with war work is the creature of the president and the president is Eponsble for him. If through neglect incom- potency America fails in the war falls short in any measure of the accomplishment its part in the the blame must at the last rest upon the president He must accept the responsibility for such failures have already been recorded.
 There is popular misunderstanding which has flowed out through publicity channels that congress has datory While the present congress is per haps below the average level of ability diatoriness and obstnacy have not been among its shortcomings It has responded readily to every demand from the administration for legislation to support the Every appropriation asked for has been promptly voted. The selective draft law and every important measure bearing directly the has been passed without delay and without party division.
 Where measures have been held up in the Of the overman bill, some principle was involved going beyond war legislation. In the case of the first espionage bill, feature of demanded by the administration stricken out because in the judg ment of the ajority it threatened the rights of the people, and more than that might have been so used as to deprive the administration of popular support and confidence. That the censorship feature, to tho elimination of which, the administration reluc tantly acceded.
 But in vital matter has congress delayed ton any asked for legislation. It has sometimes questioned the wisdom of it but it has granted 1t frequently with expression of pride that the pres dent has greater power than the ruler of any allied nation engaged in the
 It is for the president to this power energeticaly and effectively. Congress has done all it can do. It has created such power it could and has delegated to him such power it could delegate under the constitution.