The Lake County times., 1918-12-21

this country yet formulated: and America
able to bring order efficiency of the
situation it will be nothing short of miraculous.
AS shown by the Presidents address to congress- de
vered the of his departure for Europe
Chief Executive is altogether undecided to what
and what should be done with reference to reconstuc
ton matters Indeed he frankly admits that he does
know what TO do with the railroads and, with reference
the vitality important labor problems incident the
precpitate throwing out of employment of hundreds of
thousands of men result of the closing of indus
tries and the dsba1dmen Of the army President Wilson
merely points in a general way the much-dscussed
makeshift plan using labor connection with
the development OF public works and the tor the
emergency leas impractcable scheme for the reclaim
alton and cultivation of the arid swampy and cutover
lands of the country, and leaves the actual working out
real solution Of the labor problems the people
themselves.
While is extremely Disappointing President
thus to leave the untangng Of the railroad problem
congress and the labor problem the public generally il
still distressing discover the following
the Presidents address, that he utterly
guide The country safely through the
iod of readiustment
Our people--.~-krow their own business are cucl
resourcefu at every read;ustment definite in pur
and sefreliant in action. ANY leading strings
nigh. seek to put them in would speedily become hope
lessly tangej...-.-An that dds to mediate
process change here. tcro and everywhere,
may. I have heard much council as to the plans that
should be formed-..-but from quarter have seen
any general scheme reconstruction emerge which
thought likely could force spirited business men
and serelant aborers to accept with due piancy and
obedience"
other words the President. being hopelessly unde
cided as what should be done, has simply thrown up
the matter and passed these great
struction problems, with few cajong remarks. TO the
private citizens country for whatever action they
may be able to take. while he himself
serenely sails away to Europe.
OF course, the President has right TO go this
it, he states he considers his duty
say the least extremely unfortunate that Chief
ecutive-after having benefit the practical
perience Of supreme political and industrial management
of country during the period the services OF the
many boards and commissions. and also Through his
extensive doarayearma plan) the advice of the best
brains of the countrys utterly unable TO fur
nish with the general outline of comprehensive
reconstruction plan.
Thus, at what perhaps is the most opportune moment
public welfare measures, have lamenabe
display of unpreparedness The lack of foresight
bad enough when found ourselves after declara-
of utterly and almost hopelessly unprepared
for the conflict but that instance longstanding
non.mtary policy furnished or less plausible
excuse However, the eventual coming of peace has of
course from the very start and this
plete failure of the administration to prepare for that
peace formulate general plan for guild
the present emergency hardly be regarded
otherwise than inexcusabe.