Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-09
No panacca for a Nations Ills.


DRESIDENT WILSON possesses no panacea
l for the ills that afnct this nation. He
made no such claim yesterday when he went
before the joint session of Congress and dis
cussed the high cost OF living which, with
its related perpleXities, has plunged the
United States into a turmoil Of unrest He
offers nothing that he even hopes will prove
Il cure-all for the evils that beset the people
only time and wise counsel effect that
but sanely and gravely, recognizing the
immensely of the problem with which he has
to deal, he points the way which, if followed,
will partially restore normal conditions, and
form foundation to the complete re-estaO-
lishment Of untroubed progress. The chief
points in his address
IA plea for the ratification of the peace
treaty.
illumination of profiteering.
3-EXtension of food control TO peace time.
A second sober thought on the part
of labor.
Each Of these he believes essential to the
return Of domestic and industrial tranquil
lily. 1t is apparent from the stress he places
on it that he regards ratification OF the peace
treaty as paramount. In that he is right.
The anomalous position in which this coun-
try is placed by failure of the Senate to act
is primarily responsible for the turbulent con-
ditions which threaten domestic disaster
Until the country's international status has
been determined there can be hope of little
Improvement at nome.
He excoriates the proiteer who by vicious
practices has "artiicially and deliberately"
increased the cost of living. and he asks the
enactment of drastic laws for his punish
ment. His suggestion that a limit be placed
on the time in which articles of food may
be kept in cold storage, and that the dates
Of placing them therein together with the
prices be made public, has been found practi-
cal and effective. as adopted in New Jersey,
and it should be equally so as part of the
Federal law. This and the release OF the
government food and clothing supplies, as
he promises, should bring, at least tempo
rary relief.
To Congress and the people generally, he
recommends camness and elaboration, "a
greater vigilance, a more thoughtful econ
omy,' while to organized labor he recon-
mends a''soher second thought and that it
think and act like Americans" In that
recommendation there is barb that must
sting. No legislation. he warns, will be ample
to meet the domestic crisis If the people
themselves do not act wisely and Loyalty.
Some persons may feel touch of dsap-
pointment over the Presidents address, in
that he has offered no overnight solution
for the many things that bedevil America.
But he has done and said all that rightfully
could be expected of him. No one could have
done more. He has gathered up the threads
OF Americas perplexities in the brief time
since he returned from Paris, and his we'll
thought-out counsel should stir Congress to
effectiveness. be a warning to those who
would profit through others miseries and
stay the wave of dissatisfaction that is sweep
Ing the country mountain high If it does
no more than bring the Senate to a sense
OF its duty it will have accomplished more
lot the peace and prosperity of the nation
than congress itself has been able to do