South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-19
JOHNSON OUT
FOR LASTING
RAIL CONTROL
Californian ASSaiIS Railroad
Compensation Measure As
unjust and Unfair
to Public"
International News Service:

WASHINGTON. Feb. 19-Flatly
declaring for permanent government
control of railroads. Sen Hiram
Johnson. OF California. today broke
the silence he has maintained
throughout the present session of
congress TO drive "A series of smash
ing blows at the administration rail-
road bill
The Californian, speaking with his
customary vgor, declared the rail-
road compensation scheme. proposed
by Pres't Wilson. based upon the
average earnings Of 1915. 1916 and
1917 unfair. unjust and indefen-
sible" 20 the public. He diverged
from the principal subject of his
speech TO criticise the administra-
tion sharply for what he termed too
much secrecy in the conduct of the
war.
ours is the only democracy
which pursued the policy hope il
is now almost at an end-of offer
ing its people and considering them
so lightly that il dared not take
them into its confidence - ne said
Praises Investigation.
sen. Johnson praised the pending
congressional investigation into the
conduct OF the war as resulting 'in
incalculable benefit" They have
remedied some concrete deficiencies,
but they have performed the funda-
mental service of finally permitting
a modicum of free expression" he
said.
The senator violently condemned
the Hog Island ship yard scandal.
"In one Of the contracts entered into
by the government-that with the
American international Goa state
of affairs beggaring description has
been developed" " he said THE evil
dence demonstrates a wild saturnalia
of extravaganza. a brilliant phan-
tasmagora of patriotic pretense.
aid and Comfort"
And the pity and the shame of
il are that those who with "a cheer
ful and studied disregard of every
principle OF economy, are wasting
the money Of the taxpayers and some
of the captains OF industry of the
nation. 1 have read recently the
utterances of some of those respon-
sible for these conditions. and sim
gularIy enough. they unctuously eN-
press. as great patriots their sorrow
that such disclosures should be made
public. and as lugubriously they
shake their heads, they eNclaim that
publicity Of the delinquencies is Civ
ing aid and comfort 20 the enemy"
Sen. Johnson assaiIed the practice
of calling critics of the administra-
Ts..T.
Government of People
The idea seemed prevalent and
10 find sanction with various indi-
viduals and i'm "a large part OF the
present that absolute silence and
submission without complaint TO any
deficiency or injustice. were the only
measure of disloyalty. said Sen.
Johnson EFF any individual with
the highest motive sOught 20 lay
bare a wrong forthwith he was
chsrged with lending aid and COM
fort 10 the enemy. I will not sub
scribe 10 any doctrine that either in
peace or I'm war legitimate. honest
and conscientious criticism or suE-
gestiou may not be INDUCED.
This government set belongs 20
an its people and they are entitled
20 know net only how. diplomatic
ally. the government deals with the
nations OF the earth. but 20 know
ss well that which concerns the iu-
terual policies which vet control the
republic situated Within the boun-
daries OF the United States. and be-
vond this they are entitled 90 know
what intimately concerns their prop
s-tv and their lives.
Light Bad For Treason.
"DisIoyalty and treason cannot
thrive in the light. Neither can
Incompetence that strong ally of
failure official suppression and
corccaImcut are as vicious as the
secret diplomacy and private bar
eaininr which PRIEST Wilson so
Justly condemns Tire preteuse that
rhc people cannot he told the truth
is the artidce Of Incompetent men
who are afraid 90 face the test of
public scrutiny.
"Inc0icicncy inc0mpetenc and
4orse flourish iu darkness Truth
and publicity are The remedy and
the corrective Secrecy between Cd
people aud their government is the
most mischIevious element iu ua-
tIouaI Iife The man who SITS -1Ipiue