New-York tribune., 1919-08-29
Nebraskan in Washington;
Is Believed Candidate
for n o m n a tion for
Presidency Next Year
Would Ratify the Treaty
Suggests Senate Resolution
Looking to Changes in
Future by the League
By Carter Field
Ee1o York tribune


WASHINGTON, Aug. %. - William
Jennings Bryan is believed by many
politicians here to be a candidate for
the Democratic nomination or Presi-
dent again on platform appealing
strongly to labor. Colonel Bryan was
willing to talk on the peace treaty
when he arrived in Washington this
afternoon, but the moment he con-
cluded his views on that he said he
would like to talk about the wage de-
cision of President Wilson. He criti-
cised it more sharply than he has COM
mented on anything President Wilson
Secretary of State during the Lusitan ia
controversy.
Mr. Bryan says the workers were not
fairly treated in this decision. Promis-
ing them something which may not
materialize, and on which certainly no
guarantee can be given, he said, does
not solve their problem. They should
be given advance commensurate with
the increase in the cost Of living, and
then if the cost of living is brought
down later their wages can be reduced
in proportion.
AS result of the rumor that Colonel
Bryan was to be a candidate for the
Presidency on platform appealing
to labor he was questioned about po-
litical conditions.
No Important Information
"1 have heard no talk about candi-
to repeat" he replied.
Glow about your own hat being
thrown in the ring again? ?"
"That is too utterly unimportant to
talk about" he smiled.
Some people here think it quite inn
portant."
"Well, you see I said what I had
heard about candidates. of other men
was too unimportant to mention. 1t
would be very presumptuous for me
then to talk about my own candidacy"
Discussing the Pres ident's wage scale
decision, Mr.. Bryan said:
"If the wage decision is based on the
theory that the cost of living had adj
vanced more rapidly than the wages,
SO that when measured by purchasing
power the wages are really lower than
they were before, it seems to me no
reasonable answer has been given the
demands Of the wage earners.
"The Presidents proposition does not
meet the situation. To say that we
hope to reduce the level OF prices does
not relieve the situation first, because
no guarantee can be given that the cost
of living will be reduced; second, be-
cause the temporary injustice is not
cured and no one is able to say how
long the temporary injustice will be
continued.
Submits "Fairer" Plan
"a fairer plan would be to find out
as quickly as possible the exact .hange
IN level of prices and, therefore, the
increase in wages needed-that ought
not to take many days-and then allow
an increase sufficient to cover that on
the condition that it is temporary and
will be proportionately reduced as the
cost Of living is reduced. This gives
the men an immediate remedy. Yet it
makes it only temporary if the level
Of prices is reduced"
Colonel Bryan said of the fight on
the peace treat.
Would Follow Precedents
"Ihe man whose vote compels the
reconvening Of the Paris conference
or lnjects new questions into the coun-
ell OF the other nations at this time
assumes very grave responsibilities. He
may kindle q fame that he cannot put
out and the trouble. which he may
cause will be trouble to the whole
people and rot to himself alone.
"lt IS wiser, think, to follow the
precedents than to take risk of re-
opening the discussion concluded at
Paris.
"If a majority of the Senate desires
any change In the treaty or the cove
nant Of the league Of nations, the
Senate can express its opinion in
resolution looking to future changes
by the league--e resolution which
would not have to be acted upon by any
other nation.
"A majority Of Congress can deter
mine, with the concurrence of the
President Ga two-thirds majority, in
dependent Of the President), how the
delegates to the league of nations will
be appointed and can instruct them.
There is no doubt that our delegates.
acting under such Instructions, can
secure within the league any changes
that could be assured by reservations
unless we assume we can obtain by
threats what we cannot procure hv
argument: This plan will reach the
same, end without the risk involved
IN delay in ratification"