Evening journal., 1918-10-30
RY WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT

kbY COURTESY u tib iuhitD LNtc'A
! Copyright, 1918, by Public Ledger Coz
! PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 25.-The Presi-
dent, having put by, in grim times like
these, the scruples Of taste in his APP
peal TO the American people for the
return OF a Democratic Congress, Of
course invites a respectful considera-
tion and discussion by every loyal
American citizen Of what he says.
The appeal of the President is forci-
/ BILE but specious. The unified leader
ship he asks is autocratic power in
fields in which the constitution and
I principles of democracy require that he
/ should consult other representatives OF
the people than himself.
In pursuit Of his policies he con-
suits neither his own party nor any
other He wishes a Democratic SEN
ate, not because he would seek their
assistance in the foreign policy to
which by the fundamental law they
are to advise and consent. but because
he can mould them absolutely to his
will without consulting them. He has
visited his dispeasure on every Demo-
cratic member Of either house who has
differed with him and called upon that
members constituency to reject him.
Does Nation Need Dictator
Is It necessary for the countrys well
fare that he should be absolutely ruler
Of this nation for the two years ensu-
ing from March next? That is the
premise upon which the soundness Of
his appeal, in its ultimate analysis,
musl rest. Do we need during the life
Of the next Congress a dictator? One
who knows the facts OF this war, and
our part In II, and who loves liberty
and popular government must answer
no. The war is nearly won. 1t may
take a year longer. We hope II Will
be less. The complex questions OF The
terms OF peace are to be settled In the
term Of the Congress to be elected.
The stiI more dlilcun questions Of
reconstruction after the war are to be
met by that Congress. DO the Aneri-
can people by their action in the next
election wish to make both the terms
OF peace and the reconstruction after
the war depend on the uncontrolled
will OF Woodrow Wilson, That Is the
issue which he puts to them In his
appeal.
UNLESS you give me uncontrolled
power. you repudiate me and my lead
ership before the world
.Aut Caesar au nullus
Has Unprecedented Power.
Never in the history Of this country
has the President had such vast and
unlimited power as he has today II
has been often exercised through agen-
cies selected by him without great con
sideration Of the individual. Far too
many instances OF p0rtisanship in the
selection of these agencies ars known
Of all men TO give point to the pres-
dents disclaimer OF Thought Of party
in this appeal The people have re-
strained protest against arbitrary eX-
ercise Of power In their anxiety TO win
the war. The power which the Presi-
dent has was voted TO him by the Re
publicans In both houses. They mani
tested no partisan desire 10 withhold
IL. in spite OF the knowledge that II
would tempt the use Of II for partisan
purposes.
The great measure for which the
President can claim credit in this war
are the two draft acts The first he
could not have secured but for Republl-
can support. The second he did not
initiate until four months after he had
first rejected IL and until after Repub-
licans and certain Democrats he had
prescribed for differing with him had
forced lt upon his reluctant attention.
SAYS Statement is Untrue.
But for the Republican Congression- |
al support that ne has had in this war /
he could not have conducted it 20 its |
present status He charges Republi- /
can leaders with seeking TO take the
choice Of policy and conduct Of this \
war out Of his hands by putting II
under instrumontalities Of their own
choosing.
The difficulty with this statement is
that il is not true. The mere mention
of the name Of Julius Kahn and his
work In this Congress answers every
reflection the President makes on the
Republican minority.
What the Republican leaders attempt
ed TO do was 10 furnish the President
with an executive organization by
which he might carry on the war more /
effectively. There was not the slight |
est suggestion that he was not to ap-
point those who were TO exercise the /
powers under his supervision and dl. |
rection. lie did not wish TO delegate /
power TO his appointees sufficient to
enable them 10 achieve what had TO be /
done and 50 objected.
In the end he was driven 10 do I'm /