Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-07

Z. tions of the cost-of-living problem, and shall
cooperate in helping to forward the legislation
proposed in further solution of the problem.
Meritorious these suggestions may be,
they are however. not basic. They treat symp-
toms rather than causes If ever to
get back to normal conditions of living in this
country. we must de1ve deeper to find the real
present Ills -
. Our whole system of marketing is faulty.
Necessities Of life pass through too many diff
ferent hands on theft Journey frofn pfodhcer
to consumer Legislation Should be- devised
that will provide means for saner marketing
system. Cooperative purchasing and distribu-
ton of food, clothing fuel and other necessaries
of life should be encouraged
Coupled with these acute cost-of-living
problems Is the transportation question. In
considering this tremendous problem we shall
do well to maintain open mind, but what
ever is done there must be no return to the
old rail conditions, which routed freight in
roundabout way SO that two lines in 'cahoots"
might get more revenue out of the shipper; or
that let person land at a great railway sta
ton only to discover that the train on a rival
road on which he had hoped to continue his
journey had pulled out five minutes before In
future, the people will demand unified opera
ton to the extent that all lines be considered
as one system, with union ticket Offices. union
stations, and with interchanges of equipment
and service at terminals. They will demand an
end to the exploiting of the public through
watered stocks and will insist on the elimina-
ton of this evil through proper inspection and
control of stock and bond issues. The people
will never again stand for the appropriation of
millions of dollars from the public pocket for the
payment of guaranteed dividends to holders
of watered stocks and worthless securities, It p
is possible for these things to be accomplished
fhrO1D oh n;1a
Interstate Commerce Commission. which will
have increased powers to initiate rates well
to enforce square deal in rates.
The quickened public intelligence and en-
lightened public conscience promoted by the
war have given the world a fuller appreciation
of mans obligation to his fellow man. This
happy understanding must be held. We must
change our mental attitude toward the man of
wealth If he uses his money and his greater
opportunity to promote the good of society,"
Then we have the right use of wealth. The re-
wards of industry must be more fairly dis.
tributed. days work. honestly and faith
fully performed. though done with pick and
shovel, should earn the worker good food, de-
cent clothing, comfortable home and an edu-
cation for his children. The day is coming: If
it is not already here, when this will be con-
sidered the absolute right of every man and
woman. i.-f ''
The present epidemic of bolshevism in Eu-
rope carries a warning for US. Although in
America it does not danger, we cannot
afford to see this disease spread westward.
Bolshevism is the outgrowth of despair, the
politics of hysteria. 1t signifies the morale of
a nation has broken down. This political dis
ease Is certain to appear whenever conditions
become SO unbearable the people lose heart and
amuck in blind effort to bring about
change in their condition redress their
wrongs. The best preventive is to remove
tributive causes.
The nations never have had such a lesson
as the war has given them of the Importance
OF wholesome living conditions for all the peo-
pie Army medical examiners in Europe have
found millions of physically unfit men. And we
know that thousands were turned back by our
examiners.
We now see, as never have-seen before
not the pilihs up Of wealth and annexing of
territory-are the real secret Of nations
power. Wholesome living conditions, not lux
ury, poverty. promote national efficiency
And it must begin at the cradle, If not before
The children growing up who are to. fill ss
the gap due to the in the generation to
come must first of all be properly nourished
Next, they must have wholesome environment
cheerful home life. 1t Is bad environment and
squalid living conditions that make criminals
and degenerates.
4 "a.