The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-06
Other Mems Views
An Editorial That May or May Not Square
With The Views of The Forum

The Minneapolis Journal
The railroads went out of politics ten years ago
or more. They discovered that the gamo wasn't
worth the candle To maintain their influence in
politics. to dominate and purchase Legislatures,
to operate Hobbies and support bosses, to furnish
transportation for the army Of politicians VINO
rode passes-these things cost the railroads a
pretty penny and earned them little besides the
resentment OF the public.
Demagogues found the road to office easy, once
they mounted anti-railroad steeds. In the ensu-
ing reaction legislatures INDUCED in orgy of
nntirailroad legislation, the evil effects of which
eliminated in the transportation crisis which was
solved by the governments taking over the rail-
roads for the duration OF the
Director General McAdoo now issues general
order directing all railroad employees TO keep out
of politics,-an abstention which he says is "a
high duty they owe to the public. No railroad
employee high or low, may belong to a political
organization serve in political convention, nave
anything to do with political funds, help conduct
any political campaign, run for office or attempt
to coerce a fellow employc in his vote:
The inconsistency that Mr.. McAdoo himself
holds number of offices, of them political,
and that he is credited with cherishng high po-
1itical aspirations may be passed over as of small
moment. The striking thing about his order
is that it is said to have had, and must have had
the approval Of the President.
What is its purpose? Perhaps to meet one Of
the chief objections tn government operation Of
the ratlroads-the creation of a vast army Of gov
political machine capable Of turning the scales In
q presidential contest or Of landing its own
controller in the White House.
II was Grover Cleveland who defined public Of
flee public trust. and who strove with more
or less success to punish 'perncious political &C
tivity" among federal employees While President
Cleveland succeeded TO some extent in revising
political ideals amongst us, and while his Re-
publican successors held the ground he had
and added greatly to It, public office is still too
often made fulcrum for the exertion of political
leverage
And II Mr.. McAdoo by a stroke of his pen can
Danish all railroad employees from active connec-
ton with politics, why should not Mr.. Burleson
do the same for the postal employees, including
the new army about to be acquired with the talk
ing of the wire services? Why should not
Mr.. McAdoo himself, in his capacity as secretary
OF the treasury, forbid all revenue officers to
dahble in politics? In fact, what difference is
there between railroad employees and other en-
ployes of the government in respect to the high
duty they owe to the public to keep out of poll
tics?
If Mr.. McAdoo brews good medicine for the
rail service, why should not the President prepare
like dose for every person in the service Of the
government Of any capacity whatever?
This Is government not only Of and for the
people, but by the people. Those entrusted with
the responsibilities and duties of public office
should not be permitted to take advantage Of
their positions to exert influence political
affairs that would never be possible for them
they private citizens. Mr.. McAdoo Is right
but he has only made start. ss-l ST.