The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-02

terests lie simply in extending the ac-
tivities of government SO as to en-
brace all industry
Discussing conditions following the
war. he declared that REIMBURSEMENT
should be brought about as soon as
should not be used to control peace
conditions. Such control, he said,
would constitute a most serious Of
Tense against American institutions
1t Is Practical.
THE question of government owner
ship and operation is, after all, q Sc
verely practical one," Mr.. Hughes said.
"Of course. there are those whose in
terests lie simply in extending the ac-
ttivities of government 30 as ito en-
brace all industry and who are endeav-
oring to proceed along what they con-
ceive to be the line of least resistance
in trying to keep in government hands
in time of peace what has been taken
temporarily by reason Of the exigencies
of war.
1.-The instinct of the American peo-
pie, believe, can be trusted to thwart
the insidious plans of these enemies
of liberty, who, if given their way.
would not stop short of a tyranny
which, whatever name it might bear
would leave little room for preference
as compared with Prussianism.
Tends to Inefficiency.
1T is regrettable, but it is true, that
governmental enterprise tends con-
stantly to inefficiency 1t can
not fail to be observed that even in
connection with the war, despite the
endeavors and patriotic impulse OF
countless workers, inefficiency in i'm
portant fields of activity has been no.
torious. The notion that the conduct
of business by government tends to be
efficient is a superstition cherished
by those who either know nothing OF
government or who know nothing OF
business. The tendency is strongly the
Qther way.
"Along with this is the grave ques-
ton of putting the direct operation
of these great activities unnecessarily
under political control. That is the
most serious question. The devetail-
ing of government with business is
likely to injure both.
1T undoubtedly is true" he con-
tinued, that whenever, during the
war, extraordinary powers were fit
tfngly exercised and governmental
control was assumed for war purposes
the readjustment to conditions OF
peace must be effected gradually and
with the circumspection essential te
the protection of all the public and
private interests involved. But the
immediate purpose should be to read
| just as soon as may be, not to use
wa powers 10 cOntrOl peace COnQA-
tions, a proceeding essentially vicioul
and constituting the most serious Of
tense against our Institutions"
Mr.. Hughes added that undue de-
Capitalization would be as dangerous
to national prosperity as over-centrali-
cation. Congress, he said, should pro-
vide sensible plan for railroad regu-
lation permitting sound credit and
growth, stabiliZing securities and in
surfing adequate service at reasonable
rates. He also said cooperation in in
| dustry was just as essential in peace
time as in the exigencies of war and
that big business was needed, if sound
| ly organized and properly supervised
| One great lesson to be derived from
the war, he said. was the need for ex.
! pert knowledge in supervising industry
| and commerce.
| He declared further that seriou.
labor conditions were looming on tht
horizon and suggested that, in order
to take up the labor slack, an effor
should be made to start immediatel,
all important public work thruout thu
country which has been held up dur
4 ing the war -. .