The Washington herald., 1918-03-12

Men who have motives in seeking
large appointments with the govern
ment work in devious ways their
wonders to perform"
Members OF Congress know this.
They have had enough examples
thrust before them to recall IL when
ever appointments are made.
A case In mind, which prompts this
prelude, Is not ready for public ab-
sorption. But there are interesting
details % II which will be brought
out in time. The public will know
about II sooner or later and those
who are devoutly hoping to keep
the matter secret will not see their
hopes realized.
The point OF the affair Just now is
that the public Is not entirely asleep,
although at times 1t appears as II
it were. The truth Is the public eye
is open many times when 1t appears
closed. The public is beginning to
catch on" how to protect itself. And
the public has caught on" to the
present case with startling alacrity.
Post belIum labor problems are be-
ing studied at this very moment That
is, members of the National Chamber
Of Commerce are organizing to con-
duct this work along certain definite
lines, and officials Of the Labor and
other departments intend to make in
vestigations which will be widespread
and helpful.
Labor itself will make some studies
OF the situation, too, we are Informed.
The best brains in both the industrial
and labor worlds will be brought into
the equation and it Is q singular thing,
but true, that even thus far in ad-
vance Of the work both interests be-
lieve that the problem they are about
to endeavor to solve will be one Of the
very largest and most formidable we
will have to cope with when peace
returns.
Congress eventually will get benefit
Of the two separate Investigations be-
ing made and then perhaps will init
late an investigation of its own which,
added to those already started, will be
not only determlnative but actually
helpful to the situation.
The Republican party outlines its
campaign for the coming fall with the
one word Loyalty" But a definition
Of this does not preclude the use OF
the term constructive criticism"
The leaders Of the party believe the
highest duty Of the office Of repre-
tative of the people shall be to see
that the affairs of the country are
carried along with the greatest eff
cheney and to see that there Ii no
graft INDUCED in in any Of the big
works the country undertakes. To
correct all faults when and where
found the party is dedicated--and the
function In one that tests the loyal
ty of those who go about It. This Is
the Republican idea-and this is the
line upon which the members will
proceed.
The country will have the oppor-
tunity of passing upon this and of
telling whether 1t Joins with the Re-
publicans in that view of the present
crisis.
Destruction Of State lines in the re-
alignment of American troops was
commented upon months ago when Il
was announced by many COMPRESSION
al members who thought II was a
shame. But the truth is, the General
Staff which recommended this step.
knew WnhI IL was uOlnB. Ine Stcp ndu
to be taken. While 1t necessarily
wiped out the traditions Of many Of
the States and mado 1t impossible
for historians to record the happen
ings of the great war In the same
way they have other wars. 1t meant
the protection of the American troops
to a considerable extent and was jus
titled by the rules of the new war
fare. which We are engaged in at
this time. Members see the situa-
tion better than they did few
months ago.
Popular comment on the Operations
of the railroads OF the country is In
teresting. Sooner or later il will CUT
inmate in action by Congress. And
for fear some of our government
ownership friends. who feel. that the
nation is none too large unit to try
out the idea win think that evers
thing viii 20 their way. we want
to say some OF the statements We