The weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1918-1919, 1918-12-13

irrespective of politics or matters o.
miner concern, are as eager today IS
they were at the beginning of the
war. for the triumph for the ftai
world democracy, and if Woodrow
Wilson is one of the principal tact
ors at the peace conference in bring |
ing about that rcsIit, his countiymeh
will ali easily forget how they outer
ed with him in the past few weeks
and render pralse ing udglrg,y.
Reconstruction" is slogan, and
it has succeeded "camouiiage, NOR
ale "cootic," and other words that
have been pretty much IN the
mouth" during the past months. Inc
physical and industrial definition OF
the word has not been framed as yet
it may stand for anything from the
rcmak'ng of the country, man; OF
our institutions. Reconstruction
may place the country on substah-
tia! basis, or surrender our whole eco
nomic structure to the sort OF social
ist programs that are on tap at Inc
Pos cfiicc Department at Washing
ton.
Within less than IL week from the
time the country celebrated the Oil
cal announcement that the "war IS
| over" Postmaster Genera, BurieSoh
| WIS moving to take control of ocean
cables under the Act Of Congress
! VIXEN provided for scizing the W'fc
| lines of the nation as a "War cmcf-
gene
F! The person IS yet undiscovered wa
! has attempted 10 explain The exist
| cucc OF the emergency" b. w:h'h
the telegraph ?nd telephone iin's
! were wrcsici from prrvata ccn'r't
ANA While the law plainly state that
| these concerns shall be returned &c
| Their owners Immediately upon TIE
close of the var, the strange anonl-
aIv is presented Of Nh. Rurlcson an
nouncing, after the sign NJ OF tht
armistice. that substantial reduction
in telephone and telegraph rates and
The unfcation and consolidation 81
ihc various systems constitute Tho
immediate program HIS pc.lcy 5
full OF cni1mae;. but he warts us {;
/ believe that he proposes TO increase
The volume of business and tust,i.
extensions"
{ While the country is welcoming Tho
: advent of Reconstruction" the pos
Office department is pursuing VIVA
, many people believe to be an author
| ;Zcd program with nothing rcscmp
ling constructive reconstruction " TIN
The vision Of the dreamiCst dreamer
| Government control during tie W2r
period mas gwen no sign that It Nh
win any medals if the system evolve;
into permanent government owner
: ship. It's conspicuous features 50 la
have not been in the lowered rate;
= Mr.. Burlcson expects to furnish, .h'
( IN increased costs to the public q
along the line.
, The American Federation Of Laho
1 | is going on record very cmphatlCal !
in insisting that during "reconstruc
5 tom and ever thereafter, there mus
be no reduction Of wages. AT ti:t
r. same time the whole country appar
f entity agree that the nation OF price
Y should come 90 an carly end. Anon
{ these who have their ncckS IN
n moose arc tlsc public utility operator
n as they have been compelled TO nee
81 the new wage increase, but have no
r. beer aDlc to change their own Charge
d for service because of franchS
+ GRANTED 10 them under condition
that have become almost archaic
g The suggestion has been made the
{ the savings banks rf the counir
: be permitted to make 'oans to tn
>. utility companies. 1t is very llkcl