The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-01-29
WANTED-A LEADER.

Facing the greatest domestic prob
lens of its history the American ma
tion lacks a leader in the big recon
struction problem pressing for an i'm
mediate solution. It's president, its
only leader is absent from the country
entirely absorbed in international pol
icies and settlements. While he is ae-
complishing mighty results in that
field matters at home are seriously neg
leeted His subordinates are as incom-
pletely prepared for the demobiliza
ton of the greatest army ever organ
lied in this country as they were to
mobilize it when war was declared.
Clothed with dietatorial powers great
err than any ruler in the world he is
doing nothing to aid the discharged
soldiers in their return to the pursuits
of peace. Meanwhile the ranks of I'M
employed are increasing, workers are
pressing demands for greater priv
leges, capital is hiding and industry
| is stagnated by the bewilderment of
uncertainty. Legislators ignore the de-
mand for constructive legislation and
are desperately fighting for political
effect. The ranks of the dissatisfied
are being rapidly filled by the radicals
and irresponsibles and are increasing
their strength until they are an element
of serious danger. Still the party in
power fails to raise a hand in behalf of
the stable and saving clements of Amer
lean citizenship. The hands of the OPP
position are tied until the constitu
tional expiration of the present con
grcss more than month away.
When the Republican party comes
into control of the Sixty-Sixth Con
gress it will be confronted with th'
greatest and most dangerous disorgan
ization of civic life the country has
ever known 1t cannot successfully
meet the situation without the leader
ship of the broadest and most lihera
nature. 1t cannot wait to expose thu
mistakes of the past, it must perform
the duties of the day or governmental
cataelysm will follow. No such leader
ship is in sight. Some men aspire t.
such a position but they have not We
demonstrated their qualifications fo
such a responsible position.
This country must have at once
constructive plan for the railroads, TO
an army and naval force during time
| of peace, the establishment of a work
| able merchant marine, reconstructed
of industry and business and jus
| and reasonable policy toward labor,
| reversion from dictatorship to a gov
| eminent of service. These things can
J not be secured without able leadership
How can such leadership be deve
4 oped7 Our suggestion would be the Sc
] lection of a committee of the strongeS
/ Republican members of congress whie
shall call to its aid the ablest leaders c
4 the business and labor world to formt
/ late and prepare a program OF actor
Some of the dollar a year men VIII
served the country so efficiently durin
the war will serve it further in i
crisis of peace. The Republican part
\ has shown w. H. Taft, Charles
= Hughes and others such honors in IL
Il past that it can properly request the
II services at this time A committee
II fifty of our best congressman, busine
II men, labor leaders and statesmen ca
II solve the difficult problems before u
II they can organize the work so son
u man can lead to its accomplishment