Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-05-21
1,,t,r,<pcDAy MAY q. 1915
1oN.pARTIsAN But POWERFUL.

Politicians are watching with Keen
interest the trend Of sentiment among
the soldiers. II was noted as OF the
first importance that the convention
at ST. Louis showed a strong republi-
can feeling.
some commotion has been caused
in New York because the vice char
man of the state delegation to the ST.
Louis meeting gave out statement
to the press as 10 the political affilia-
tions of soldiers who were present at
the organization.
II being bipartisan organization
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. the main
organizer, criticised the publication by
the delegate as unethical.
A reply was made stating that
poll was taken unoffIcially and that
the result was 4 matter Of interest,
made public without intention TO have
political effect. There were $40 dele
gates with democratic leanings, di-
vided in presidential preferences be-
tween Wilson and McAdoo, while $50
with republican tendencies were for
General Leonard Wood mostly, and
some were for Senator Johnson Of
california.
The soldiers found out through bit
ter experience the folly Of unpre-
paredness. Soldiers Ike General
Wood and patriots like ex-President
Roosevelt had urged in vain that the
government get ready and stay ready
for that which occurred,
But President Wilson and his ad-
visers made no preparations. scolned
Roosevelt as talking for political eff
feet only; and rebuked the wise and
efficient General Wood. by Keeping
him in subordinate and obscure
places.
When war did come it cost billions
more to the country, and lost many
thousands oc lives more than would
have been expended had prepared
ness and consequent efficiency been
provided.
When Senator chamberlain. demo-
crat, chairman of the committee on
military affairs, sought to secure cor
rection of camp hospital neglect of
troops and to procure speeding IN of
needed air machines and other neces-
sites, he was denounced by the sec
rotary of war and the president.
Virtually he was outlawed by the eH-
ecutive who ceased to speak to the
Oregon senator after writing a bitter
letter to him.
The statements made by the senator
We're proved to be true by soldiers
and war department employees and
led to reforms only after serious re-
suits happened.
The average voter without the sol
dier's expereT re does not realize what
government inefficiency costs him.
If letter IS delayed a day he growls,
but does not blame a political party
on that account,
The soldier feels the inefficiency
'lOfe Reenly. II he loses an arm be-
cause an inefficient government did
not get airplanes and big guns 10
protect him properly, his experience
may affect his conduct through his
whole life. And if he sees his COM
rades manned and killed for lack of
good organization work at Washing
ton, he talks about it when he gets
home. He is going to demand more
business-like methods. and be Il con-
slant force working against unsys-
tematic government,
That is just what is beginning to
happen. The results of it will be felt
more and more. The soldiers know
that war work was bungled. They
have no special desire to punish those
at fault, who did not know how to
get results.
But the soldiers are sick of inef.
ficiency and have felt all it's awful
results. They now see what It mus,
cost in daily life, and how it must
prevent the government from meet
ing the demands of the people.