Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-02
Administration May "Look"


Administration May "Look"
At last we are given a hope that
Washington is not entirely dead to
the appeals, demands and general
discomfort in our own land. The
thing We have feared for months has
grown apaceAan unwholesome at
mosphere at bonneville our gov
eminent heads have been devoting
all their genius and energy to deal
ing with the affairs of all the rest Of
the world. Out Of this obvious dan
ger grew our desire for the earliest
possible settlement of peace prob
lens. At last the President has CIV
en- indication Of his interest in a
home problem-a problem that en-
braces much Of the irritation that
creates frame of mind in which
men will listen to radical schemes
that promise relief from notorious
conditions Of injustice.
1t is more than high time for au-
thoritative. responsible and dependa-
bic investigation of outrageous
schemes and methods of profiteering
and effective dealing Herewith be-
fore the feelings of outraged millions
reach any higher pitch Of despera-
ton. 1t is easy to understand why
men who have been in Europe for
hah a year. with minds fully occu-
pied with other things, should not be
aware that a tolerant and easy
mark" people are at last over
wrought. But Congress must have
heard from home, and we venture
that majority Of the members OF
both houses is disturbed over what
IL coming to 1t from the country a,
large. and anxious to end the eternal
wransle in pretended attempt to set.
tie all future problems Of civilization
at the present moment. The ma
jority Of, Congress undoubtedly is al.
ready uneasy over letters. telegram.
and resolutions. This uneasiness
will be acute when members of thu
House return to Washington ir
September from the recess.
1t 10 doubtful II the President ha.
had time to scan the report Of thu
Federal Trade Commission on tn.
methods Of the meat trust. but w
are glad that he is giving deep and
very thoughtful consideration" t.
problems presented to him by the
railroad brotherhoods. They held VI
the government president and Con-
gress) once and started the high cost
OF living to soaring: now we have q
different Congress and perhaps the
brotherhood collaboration with the
White House may arouse Congress to
start the ball the other way.
It Is evident that the endless chain
pf union-forced-up wages has made
one revolution. for the railway broth
erhoods are now threaten ing the gov.
eminent again-another raise or re.
duction in the cost of necessaries
These brotherhood members were. a,
the time Of their assault on the coun-
try. the highest paid labor in the
world. Other branches Of labor have
caught up to them and that is in
tolerable. They took hold Of the
Presidents wrist and forced him to
sign. once. perhaps they can. do II
again. and. II they do, then We are
In for another revolution Of the idi.
otic treadmill Of climbing over each
other to the top Of the union" pile
But what we hope for Is a com.
mon sense proceeding by the govern.
msnt Into the methods Of distribu.
ton Of necessities. first, and ther
cther things. Inquiry might be made
and figures given from wholesaler
and jobbers. and then from retail.
en-, Whist they pay and what the peo-
pie ars forced through trade oreani.
nations and agreements. to pay them.
It = . comparatively simple matter
when plAced beside the intricate
barbsd.w1rs trade entanslements az
the meat truSt. for the government
to lind out who y exactins exorbi-
tant prices from consumers and how
It b donA Lst ~ know the damn
ins facts o.. food and fuel and cloth.
ng and footwear; at least
The pubic can tsu any innocent
mvestisatins experts whore to In
OURS tor facts. ANA many things that
thsyMin mud. Proceed gentlemen.
lae -xass!. g zseenstrust.on ana