The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-26
SUPPORTING OUR LEADERS

tons from all over the country. They
believed from facts in their posses
sion that the congestion In traffic and
shortage of coal could not be relieved
unless there was a shutting down of
Industries for few days, thus giving
I opportunity to concentrate coal de-
I liveries at the piers for the ships. and
at the towns and cities where the peo-
pie need coal to warm their houses.
Such action at an early date seemed
to be imperative to those charged with
responsibility, and Mr.. Garfield has
stated that the time was fixed at last
Friday, because the weather bureau
indicated that the weather conditions
( would be favorable.
1t speaks well for our people that
the order was received with more pa
trlotic spirit by those directly affected
by the order than it was by many of
the newspapers and by many mem
bers of congress. In Richmond three
OF the daily newspapers utterly failed
to give support to the president and
his administration. The News-1eader
was violent in its denunciation. and
the Times Dispatch and Evening
Journal also vented critical protest.
The Richmond Virginian alone stood
squareiy and emphatically by the
president and his official aids and in
sisted that the people must trust and
support their leaders. Had the peo-
pie OF Richmond and of Virginia fol-
lowed the lead of the three protest
ing newspapers. the presidents native
state would have shown lack of conf
dence in him by denouncing him with
out knowing the facts on which the ad
ministrative order was based. But the
people showed that they had more
In m nraSi5anf thew
had in those newspapers and they ac-
cepted the order for the worthless
days as a war necessity. and the pa
rents who have sons In the army felt
an added sense of security az they
realized that the president would Ger
tainly sidetrack everything else II
necessary to prevent delay in the sail
ing of supply ships to Europe
Our people should learn a lesson
from this experience to help them to
meet future emergencies, and that
lesson should be: Give our leaders
confidence and support. unless II Is
proven that they lack sincercity, con-
secration or ability. Do not indulge
in criticism, protest or denunciation
when there is not sufficient inforrna-
ton upon which to base Just judg-
ment.
Do not demand infallibility. Our
leaders are only men. with the hmi-
tations OF humanity. They have great,
almost overwhelming responsibilities.
They may be expected to make some
mistakes. and If they were turned out
their successors would make mis-
takes. And rs history has demon
strated In tho case OF the three Rich
mond newspapers. the critics also
make very great mistakes. which they
are obliged to admit as witness their
bitter and vicious opposition to the
prohibition law of Virginia. which
they now dare not attack.
The statement of the president in
defense of the coal edict is given be-
low. showing the standpoint of the adj
ministratton In the issuance OF the or
der.
The presidents statement Is follow
ed by one from Mr.. Henry Ford.
which voices the response which the
presidents order evoked from citt-
zons who put their patriotism beyond
their personal comfort or pecuniary
gain. The output of Mr. Ford's plant
is worth about $780, 900. The gov
eminent sent Mr. Ford telegram ex-
emptinF his plant on account of war
work, but he declined to take advan-
tage OF the exemption.
President Wilson'S statement en-
dorsing Fuel Administrators Gariield's
order shutting down Industries fol-
lows:
II was. of course. consulted by Mr..
Garfield before the fuel order of
Thu/sday was issued and fully agreed
with him that 1t was necessary. much
as ! regretted the necessity. This war