The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-26

is of much concern in state political
circles because of the war criticism
directed by Bristow in June, 1917. His
statement of policies is in part as fol-
lows:
His Policies
The all absorbing question with the
American people today is the war, with
have been of the opinion that If when
the European war began the government
of ar-sighted statesmen of courage, sagac-
ity and determination, We not only would
have kept out of the war ourselves, but
greatly ameliorated ITS European horrors.
But whether should have entered this
conflict; and, If so. when. are questions
it and our country is confronted with
momentous responsibilities that must be
met with fortitude. Whatever may have
been the differences of opinion then, our
duty now is plain.
Every American citizen must contribute
all within his power for the prosecution
of the war to a successful conclusion. Our
soldiers in camp and field must be pro-
tb Tea Itn n, hn ani a6ty wt a
fort that love and devotion can provide.
AS a profound obligation to them, We must
make our country worthy in the highest
degree Of the great sacrifices they are re-
quired to make.
hold that the first requisite for the sue
cessful prosecution of the war is economy
in public expenditures and honesty and
efficiency in the public service. This is
more essential in times of war, when the
! greatest sacrifices are demanded to the
people, than in times of peace.
In the management of our national af-
fairs, therefore- L shall persistently insist
upon the substitution of honesty for dis
honesty, of competency for incompetency
and of patriotic devotion for intrigue and
graft
ment to meet the grave responsibilities i'm
posed upon it, and the refusal of the presi
dent to appoint secretary of that depart
| HI
make necessary the creation by congress
| of council composed of men who shall
| tration of the mighty agencies of war.
Opposed to Currency Initiation.
1 opposed to the vast initiation of
the currency that is being brought about
by the secretary of the treasury thru excess
| sive issues of securities. This results in
an unrea sonable increase in prices which is
grossly unjust to the wage , earneTs and and
prices of whose products are practically
made stationary by orders of the govern
ment.
| Furthermore, reaction and disastrous
financial depression inevitably follow
The revenue bill should be amended
this year so as to tax excess war profits
not less than so per cent, as is done in
allowed to acquire great wealth out of the
sacrifices of blood and money the people
are making. The steel trust, the packers.
mills and other great industries have in
creased their net profits over those of peace
times from 90 to 500 per cent. Heavy
/ taxes should be imposed upon the excess
now. 1t will not hurt them and will lessen
the grievious burdens of the masses.
The Railroad Policy.
The plan by which the present admin
| istration has taken over the railroads is
the worst that could have been devised.
1t has resulted in inefficient service and
| the increasing of rates and charges that
will impose heavy financial burdens upon
the people.
| If the government operation of the rail-
roads was necessary because of military
emergency, they should not have been
guaranteed, after deducting taxes, over D
per cent of a fair value of their property.
to millions of its citizens who furnish
| the money to carry on the war.
| If, however, the earnings of the roads
at fair rates to the public justified paying
g or per cent, there could be no objection
| to that return. But, instead of -folIowin g
plan guarantees to these roads net profits
| far greater than they ever earned in time
| of peace. After taxes, interest on bonds
and dividends on preferred stock are paid
| it gives the Wall Street owners of the great
railway systms enormous rturns upon
their holdings of watered stock
This plan will result in the payment of
more than a billion dollars year rent for
the railroads and in addition guaran tees
| their full maintenance. No scheme could
every weakness of government ownership
and none of its advantages
far preferable plan would have been
the organization of a federal corporation,
the stock to be owned by the people, which
should have acquired the railroads at a
fair market value and Operated them as
a unified system, preserving all the regu-
| latory authority, both state and national.