Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-18
INVESTIGATING THE CRISIS

The senate adopted a resolution requesting the fuel
administrator to suspend the operation of his fuel order
for five days, during which there should be held an in
investigation, with hearings on the subject.
A majority of the senators voted for the resolution,
and among those who so voted were some very able
men. 1t would be absurd to say, after looking over
that list, that the men who voted for delay did so for
the purpose of playing politics, to embarrass the admin
istration, or for any other unworthy purpose. There
are senators against whom such an accusation would lie
because of their consistent record of obstruction. but
such a charge will not lie against more than fifty Of
the present body.
The senators who voted for delay assumed a re-
sponsiblity as great as that which was assumed by the
fuel administrator in issuing his order. DR.. Garfield is
convinced that there was imperative need for immediate
action. He acted on his conviction. If he was mistaken
he has done irreparable damage. The majority Of the
senators were convinced that the need was not as
pressing as DIR. Garfield believed. They voted for delay.
If their recommendation had been followed irrcparable
damage would have been done, because in a case of
this kind days count, and the five days Of delay to per-
NIT investigation with hearings, if DR.. Garfelds posi-
ton was correct would have turned what was a menace
into an actual calamity.
The senators took that responsibility when they
voted for the resolution, just as DR.. Garfield took his re-
sponsibiuty when he issued his order. Who was right:
1t is easy to take sides in the matter. 1t is easy for the
man who has his bins full of coal to say that there was
no need for such an order. 1t is easy for the man who
was out Of fuel, or nearly so, to say that the order was
needed. Each is apt to have his opinions warped by
the condition Of his own affairs, while neither may
know anything of the general situation. The issuance
of such an order presupposed the possession of exact
knowledge SO detailed and so voluminous as to be ut
terly out of the reach Of the ordinary individual. It
lis a subject concerning which the general public cannot
Ouoth 1o ~Fo~~o IT,. -.--s.1 ~.L1;- -.-A 18Th
with what patience it can the shedding of light on the
subject by DR.. Garfield. who has already issued a state
ment, and by those who have other views on the sub
ject.
subject as may be possible it is proper to remember
that 1t was DIR. Garheld's business to ascertain the facts
That is what he is there for. In the absence of infor-
nation to the contrary it is fair to suppose that in the
performance of his very important duties he did inves.
tigate. and investigate thoroughly. 1t is to be remem.
bered. also, that however excellent may have been the
intent of the senators who voted to postpone action, II
with the situation as DR.. Garfield was, because it is no,
the special business Of any senator to be so informed
There is also to be remembered that while the men or
each side assumed a weighty responsibility, the fuel adj
nninistrator. with the approval. Of course, Of at leas,
three responsible officers of the government, took tina,
responsibility upon himself, while it is scarcely to be
supposed that when a group Of more than fifty sena.
tors took joint action the sense Of personal responsible,
weighed upon each of them quite heavily.