The Washington herald., 1918-09-14

part in the fighting across the water.
How do we figure that, you say
Easiest thing in the world. Here's
how-George laid down enough tradi-
ton at the outset of this country's
history to last for all time to come.
Men and families and communities
and states and the entire nation have
pointed this out fron time imme-
mortal In our country, and they Will
always continue to do so. And big
men all along the line since that day
have had a potent influence. too. on
the fighting since that time. but
George most OF all because he staged
the star battle for freedom.
The start was right-we builded on
the firmest stone upon which nations
can be erected. We started right, and
by the grace of God we're going to
stay right throughout our history.
This was the sentiment we voiced day
before yesterday when 100000 more
OF US stepped up to the registrars and
gave them interesting and intimate
data about ourselves.
Swagar sherley deserves the croix
de guerre for his unhcard of act in
making a visit to the war zone and
keeping II from everybody.
Not all OF the members Of Congress
could do this-indeed. we know of
many, many OF them who have not
attempted TO perform this seemingly
miraculous feat.
Probably Shcrley. when campaign
ing this fan will let drop occasional
statement viii reference to his visit
abroad. But we doubt very much II
he will endeavor to commerclalize his
trip into a re-elcction-as we suspi-
cion some OF the members of his
house will try to do.
Making political capital OF the car
mage OF Europe Is not our idea OF
doing the right thing by the constit-
uents or the men on the other side.
Mr.. Brisbane from Chicago. writ
ing for the voters OF Michigan and
airing his difficulties for US here in
Washington. has much to say about
Henry Ford's dlstastefulness to the
big interests"
Mr.. Brisbane intimates that those
who are opposed to Ford's election are
allied with all the favored groups and
mercenary pests the country pos
sesses. In this he endeavors to play
unfairly. for he knows that this is
not the case.
So far as interests are concerned
Mr.. Ford is one himself. He has be-
come one of the most stupendous spe-
Cial interests the world ever produced
and, while he has unquestionably
taken a different attitude than some
OF the other groups have. he has
nevertheless waxed Immensely wealthy
from the work OF others and has
made exceedingly high returns on his
products. His fitness for a law
maker Is based on his activity in the
field in which he made such a rapid
rise-but nothing shows in it to indl-
cate that he would solve any prob
lem better than any other man would
who had not fallen into his fortunate
position. And to counterbalance and
perhaps completely overshadow any
good qualities which he has there are
other eccentr!cities and oddities which
we may well avoid at time like this.
A man who would say nothing in the
Senate and he absent upon every roll
call would be preferable to a man
who sought to upset the world at one
fell blow through suggestion of some
unusual device for making all human
ity suddenly dlspossessed of its sins
and ailments. A silent man might
be less dangerous to the nation than
Henry Ford.
To recall history OF not more than
year and a half ago We ask Mr..
Brisbane:
81. What would Henry Ford have
done had he been a member of the
Senate when the armed neutrality
legislation was pending?
"2. Would Henry Ford have voted
for the war resolution?
g. Would Henry Ford have opposed
the Gore resolution. the Senate coun-
terpart of the McLemore House reso-
luton?
"4. II Henry Ford became a mem
Der Of the Senate would not his
ultra-pacifsm manifest itself to our
disadvantage when the time came to
make peace? Would he not favor
any kind of peace in preference to
continuing war until Germany is
crushed to the utmost?"
Poor Mr.. Hays-now It will he next
to impossible for him TO get dates at
the White House, we fear. Certainly
he will have to go around Secretary
Tumulty and then, we suspect. he
would run pell nell into Rudolph
Forster or Tom Brahany who would
have precious little more to do with
him than their immediate office head.
1t appears that Secretary Tumulty
has handled the situation with some
thing more than innate cleverness. He
has appealed to the sensible. substar-
tial judgment of the people of the
nation and has taken step which
will doubtless have a most profound
effect on the elections this fall. The
President, naturally, has not been
drawn into the affair and we doubt II
he will he now. from appearances.
He has let his first lieutenant do the
work for training purposes and while
he has been carrying on larger work
he has not had to worry about the
political aspects Of the country's af-
fairs.
Conduct Of the fight by his secre-
tary was in keeping with, the position
the President has taken all along.
Had he lowered himself to calling
down Mr.. Hays It would have react
cd upon him and his party. As It Is
both he and his party are strengthen
ed by the tilt.
Senator Hardwick will be free. with
in a few months, to go to the army.
He will be out OF the office lie now
holds and will be in a position to ac-
cept anything that Uncle ssm has In
store for him In the extended draft.
Senator Hardwick can make amends
by going into the fight now with all
his heart He has not been valuable
to his country in his present posi-
tion-there are some cruel enough to
contend that he has hccn valueless.
in fact. to the big thing we've had
on hand for the past year and eight
months.
An adjournment OF Congress is
looked for about the first OF October
the House members swear they'll