Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-12
PRESIDENT IS BLAMED
FOR HIGH COST OF LIVING
Senator Hiram johnson Says Present
Conditions Would Not Exist IL
He Remained at Home.
DROPPED PRICE REGULATION
Asserts That Article Y. Makes
America Underwritc Every Terri
torial Grab Of Every Other Nation.
Discusses Secret Treaties.
(By Associa,cd prcss.1

INDIANAPOLIS. Sept. IL Senator
Hiram W. Johnson. of California. con-
tinuinE his speech making campaign in
the Widdlc West in opposition to the
ratification OF the league of nations
GocsmaT in an address here tonight
nigh cost of living rests upon any
agency or man. ii rests upon the pres
ent national administration and Wood
president Wilson adds to his fear
some harsh names, appeals TO our ma
months that the league and treaty have
been before the American people and
senate with the high cost. of living"
ienily forgets the eight months he
spent abroad, secretly 4pledging our
resources and our man power to Euro
pean and Asiatic governments. The
two months of discussion by our peo-
pie and our Senate in the open of what
ne discussed secretly for eight months
and the reasonable discussion i'm the
future cannot possibly affect. the high
cost Of living
charged with responsibility for the
hiEh cost OF living that man is Wood
row wilson The living costs in De
uaIly what they are today. Mr.. Will
son then had exactly the same laws he
now invokes. He had neither time nor
inclination TO deal with a problem then
practically as acute as Il is now. He
never even touched the subject except
patronizinGly and as an ephe neral i'll
makes its solution depend now upon
the immediate ratification OF his treaty
ne would frighten us by cheap and
specious statement. devoid of economic
logic. and wanting in any sound rea-
son. lie covers his own dereliction by
an unfounded countercharge. Remem-
Der MS address to Congress, December
.. last.
Took the Harness or.
The moment we knew the armistice
10 havs been signed. we took the har-
process OF return to peace footing
has moved in the three weeks since
the the hghting sstsopped. His idea of re-
viii direct itself. When he had ample
mirh rine fGr 5,va action las, December and
eontinuance Of high prices. these are
his nj w words: ads: Our people do not wait
would speedily become hoDeiessly en-
sangled, because they would pay no
attention TO them and go their own
II quick initiative.' At t' that time 'nrs" we !s
tration. completely organized through
out the nation. Mr.. Wilson deliberately
scrapped this vast organization. which
of the causes of high prices. Now
months after he has dismissed the Fed
eIdI ana state agencies, he is calling
them together again to deal with the
question. The ratification of the treaty
may Increase exports. but increase in
exports Will not reduce prices at home
II responsibility for the high cost of
living rests upon any agency or man,
IL rests upon the present admini iStra-
lion and Woodrow wilson"
Discusses Article y.
Speaking of Article y. of the cove
nant of the league. Senator Johnson. !
after quoting President Wilson'S In
depreciation OF the section. said:
"It makes America underwrite every
territorial grab Of every other nation,
every wrong and injustice done peoples
every bargain by which human beings
have been handed about from one
sovereignty to another. every violation
OF natural right and self determine
tlon every oppression of the strong
over the weak. Naively the President
remarks that secret treaties hampered
him at the peace conference and EN-
barra sSed the whole settlement In
ferentially. he comedies the wickedness
OF those secret treaties. but he was
neither hampered nor embarrassed to
such degree as to cause him TO stand
inanfully and couraCeously for his
often expressed principle. Not only did
he abandon his principles and abjectly
surrender his idealiSm but he became
part OF the secret treaties he de-
nounccs when he united in making
them the basis OF action al Paris"