The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-12
THE PRESIDENTS PROPOSALS.

for thought Other specific recommendations are quite
the point and should be worked into law without delay
The political portion of the Presidents address may not
win as much approval as his economic recommendations
The truth is that the American people have been more
than lled with appeals to their atruism In behalf Of
nations that have failed to show that degree of appreca
tion much less gratitude that would encourage Amer
cans to continue their heavy sacrifices.
Europe is in bad way-there is no necessity for re-
ters' .g that fact America must hep-that also, is
evident and admitted But it does not follow that America
must leap into the crater in the hope that by throwing In
its independence and its resources it may pull all the
others out The proposal to create new organism to
have control of the foreign relations of all nations
raw experiment with human precedent to indicate that
it would be successful All human experience up to this
date indicates on the contrary that the plan would be
in preventing wars, however successful
might be in facilitating intrgues which might provoke
wars.
It seems to us that there is little point in the sugges
ton that there be real relief from the high cost
of living until the treaty of peace ratified and the
League of Nations created We notice that the proteers
are not waiting for treaty ratification before boosting
prices They do not seem be afraid that the League
of Nations will curb their activities for they go forward
throtng the free flow of goods and raising the prices
at a shameless rate
The greater part of the evil is within the United States
and remedabe by the United States government, with
out bothering about the condition of Europe America
is bigger market than all the rest of the world com
bined.
There are too many sackers and ders The big events
of the last five years have unsettled the steady habits
Of millions of people by dstracng their attention from
their everyday duties Like spectators at gngantic pub
lie play they forget their home tasks and spend their
time crtcizing the actors There hardly any one SO
humble or so ignorant that he cannot furnish ohand all
kinds of suggestions for settling the worlds affairs even
if he unable or unwilling enough to pay for his
own food and lodging These dlers caused the recent
riots They increasing the cost of living to every
body else by checking the production of food and in
creasng unnecessary consumption If these idlers were
dead or work. the problem of production and consump
ton would be greatly smplifed. There would be less
mounting of bolshevsc nonsense and honest working
people would get their food cheaper
President Wilson gives encouraging reinsurance that
the laws already existing will be enforceda reinsurance
that should never be necessary from official whose
He gives most sautary hint to the radicals among the
labor leaders that it would be wise for them to moderate
their speech He suggests legislation improving the
troll of stored foodstu and asks for better control of
clothing, fuel and other necessities He asks for larger
appropriations to enable the investigating agencies of the
government to acquire and publish information
ing the food supply boarding, price fixing &C. That is
a valuable suggestion.
The recommendation regarding the marking of the pro-
ducers price, whenever practicable articles entering
into interstate commerce, is good The power of
Congress to require price marking cannot be denied In
the handling of Shoes prepared foods marked goods
and nonpershabe stufs in general the marking of the
price at which it left the hands of the producer would
prove an effective check against profteering. Public
prices cannot be proeeng prices without the connvance
and consent of the public itself As the cash register
prevents hieving, the marked price would prevent
profteering
The Presidents appeal to Americans to rely upon their
own common and moderation of speech and action
is most admirable. The worlds welfare now depends
upon America. This nation must act upon its own
ceptOn of what best 1t must be absolutely ndepend
emit of the constraints ntrgues and commitments of
other nations 1t do to lift the world out of
The slough by retaining its American vigor its Amer
can of acting its quick application of its own
wits to its resources than by pooling its intelligence
and resources with those of Europe.
Europe has made sorry mess of civilization. America
nothing to gain by subordinatng its intelligence or
independence to those nations The hope of mankind is
he New World led by the United States Let Americans
Use equal to the majestic heritage that is theirs and With
rec wills and warm hearts in open conference. do what