The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-03-07
THE noe ISLAND SCANDAL

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the country this week have evidenced
serious unrest concerning war con-
.ditions, ascribed as due to industrial
strife in many quarters where ships,
munitions, coal and various war ma
terials are in process Of being made
ready for duty, says the Denver
Highland Chief.
The stress is much increased by
the pitiable plight of Russia-wound-
ed, bleeding. disarmed, helpless-ab
jectly kneeling before her foe, ac-
cepting terms of peace which prnc-
tically obliterate her as one of the
great nations of the world; and this
spectacle brought about by the re-
fusal of the common herd longer to
engage in the slaughter which war
imposes. BY reason of Incompetence,
robbery and profiteering in the rear,
whole armies lost their pluck, their
fighting spirit, and sullenly refused
to obey their officers.
Historians tell US no great or pro-
tracted war was ever successfully
prosecuted that did not have cause
imbedded as deeply and fervidly in
those at home as in those at the
front; that it is even more essen
tial to success to sustain the pur-
pose and the courage of the civilian
than the soldier. To do this eagle
eyes should scan every public trans
action pertaining to war business.
Robbing the government of a sin
gle penny should not be condoned.
lest the infection become general,
and the public mind estranged from
the purpose for which tho sword was
taken up "S'ackrrs" NAV need some
attention, but they are few and far
between-not nearly 60 numerous nor
ono rcG-thousandth rart so dam
gcrous as the prcfite'rs who seek
thru the sick. tire wounded. and dv-
ing, to coin wars sacrifices into dol
lars for their traitorous pockets.
The army deserter commits n Sc
rious and disgraccful offense-onc de-
manding severe punishment; but it
tho penalty for desertion were five
to ten vears in prison, then that for
profiteering those who are
working for the government for S1.00
year, and at the same time for n
government robbNr for $4,000 year
would not be excessive did 1t call
for horsewhipping in the public
square at noon every day SO long as
they might live.
Labor, organized and unorganized,
has in many ways and places serious
ly checked and crippled war prepa-
rations, and the controlled press of
the country now is preparing the
public mind to place the burden of
failure upon the back of labor-but
were not the contracts awarded be-
fore the workmen were hired? Was
not the basic fault in the monstrous,
unconscionable profits permitted the
contractors? Do the laborers de-
serve condemnation for holding up n
contractor who held up the govern
ment? Is there law to compel rob-
bers to divide fairly? He who seeks
equity must do equitably. The big
men were the first offenders.
Newspapers, public lecturers, and
some few United States Senators and
Representatives have raised the cry
that labor is paralyzing the power of
the country by stacking and striking;
but only now and then,one, not many,
just few, have exhibited the cour-
age of true patriotism by exposing
the rascality and robbery of higher
ups which operates as bar to sac
rifice among the common herd.
Here is story of the ship build
ing scandal at Hog Island. 1t has
been in the papers; it has been aired
by Congressional Investigating COM
mittees; it has been discussed in both
House and Senate. In the big dalies
it has been played with the soft ped
al, presumably because of the great
wealth of those whose garments it
has soiled. Is from the pen of the
editor of the New York American:
A Few Plain Fsots About
The Soandai at Hog island
The Emergency Fleet Corporation,
which is only another name for the
Government, made a contract with a
hastily organized corporation. calling
itself the American international Cor
poration, to build huge shipyard at
Hog Island-a sweet name that has
turned out to be charmingly descrip
tive.
The American International Cor
poration has as directors and stock
holders
Frank A. vanderlip. in his private