New-York tribune., 1919-04-27
Senator Penrose. Governors
Edge and Allen Urge
Action: at Astor Dinner:
Call fer Return of Roads
" ould End L. S. Control
Kansas Executive Renews
Discussion With Secretary
Baker ON War Problems

The necessity Of industrial prepared
ness il the nation is to gain prosperity
in the keen competition which will fol
low the signing Of peace treaty, was
emphasized last night at the peace
and Reconstruction Dinner" of the
Upholstery Association of America at
the Hotel Astor. The speakers in
cluded Senator Boies Penrose. Gov
ernor Edge, Of New Jersey; George
McGeachin, president of the associa-
ton, and Governor H. J. Allen. of Kan
sas, who renewed his feud with the
War Department.
One 'of the factors in the trade war
for prosperity would be a protective
tariff, Senator Penrose said 1t was &
part of an industrial preparedness that
was as necessary, he though, as mill
tary preparedness for the security of
a nation. Another necessary prepara-
tion, he said, was the return of private
businesses to the men who built and
owned them. This feature of the pro-
gramme ne suggested brought hearty
applause at every mention.
N0rShlpped Price Fixing
During the war" said Senator Pen
rose, I'VE worshipped such false eco
nomlc principles as price-fxing and
government control and operation. Rut
the time has now come to put our
business back in the hands Of its build
ers and it must be done as promptly
and rapidly as possible Let US devise
way Tor the railroads to earn enough
money to keep UP their properties aud
carry the passengers who want to use
them
"Government ownership once was
cons dered by many to be the panacea
Tor all Ills. We have had virtual gov
ernment ownership of many private
enterprises IN this country for many
months, and now the advocate of such
QoIlcy is extremely hard to find.
Let US restore the telegraph and
telephone lines to their owners as
soon as possible. They were seized
without warning or apparent reason
and the properties and service have
been gong steadily down ever since.
ne combined treasures Of the
world cannot stand much longer the
fearful drain upon them Our expendi-
lures nave been made on a scale hith-
erto unheard-of. Taxes have increased
N' e-' 'A+NA Ne+SAAiS' lHty must con
tinue to mount If we 90 on at this pace
until they reach a point that will be
burdensome, if even tolerable"
Would Let Government Lead
Governor Edge declared that it was
the duty Of the government to point
and lead the way to reconstruction and
prosperity. The prolonged uncertainty
concerning the peace terms was mot
conducive TO business tranquility and
Development he said The govern
ment must help put business on it's
feet, set them in the right road and
encourage every step, he said, and a
primo necessity was the removal Of
the paralyzlng hand of oyer-regula-
ton"
The address of Mr.. McGeachin dealt.
for the most part, with the textile
trade. Il mus tadopt far-slghted pol
icy he urged, which would enable it
to hold its own with all competitors
Revertng at the beginning of his
speech TO his controversy with New
ton ID. Baker, Secretary Of War, con
corning the lack Of American air
planes i'm the Argonne. Governor Al
Ian said that he had been accused Of
uniustly Of making out the Secretary
of War to be an ordinary falsifer
He is no ordinary falsiher said
Governor Allen. His methods are so
complete and efficient that they tran
scend all ordinary falsifyinf."
AS to the 700 American planes
which be understood the War Depart