The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-12
HIGH COST BLAME
SHIFTED TO WILSON
President Trying to Use Sub
ject to Back League, Says
Johnson.
WASTE OF TIME SHOWN
Pledges in Covenant Called
Menace to U. s. Liberty,
by Senator.

IND1ANAPoLIs, Sept 11.-Senator
Hiram W. johnson Of California, CON-
tinuing his speech making campaign in
opposition to the ratification OF the
League Of Nations covenant. in an ad-
dress here tonight said that II respon-
sibility for the high cost OF living rests
upon any agency or man it rests upon
the present national Administration and
Woodrow Wilson.
president Wilson adds to his fear
some harsh names appeals to our MAJ
terial interests, and even taxes the two
months that the league and treaty have
been before the American people and
Senate with the high cost of living"
said Senator Johnson. HE conveniently
forgets the eight months he spent
abroad, secretly pledging our resources
and our man power to European and
Asiatic Governments. The two months
Of discussion by our people and ourl
Senate in the open of what he discussed
secretly for eight months has had, OF
course no bearing upon. and the reason-
able discussion in the future cannot pos
sibly affect. the-high cost OF living.
Placing of Responsibility.
IF any single Individual can be
charged with responsibility for the high
cost of living that man Is Woodrow
Wilson. The living costs in December
and January last were substantially
what they are to-day. Mr. Wilson then
had exactly the same laws he now in
vokes.
"He had neither time nor inclination to
deal with a problem then practically as
acute as 1t is now. He never even
touched the subject except patronizingly
and as an ephemeral Ill of no conse-
quence or Importance. He makes it's
solution depend now upon the immediats
ratification of his treaty.
He would Brighten us by a cheap and
specious statement, devoid of economic
logic, and wanting in any sound reason.
He covers his own dereliction by an I'M
founded counter charge. Remember his
address to Congress. December 2 last.
THE moment we knew the armistice
to have been signed we took the har-
ness off. 1t Is surprising how fast the
process OF return to q peace footing has
moved in the three weeks since the
fighting stopped His idea of recon-
struction then was it will not be easy
to direct II any better than 1t will direct
itself
When he had ample time for action
last December and might have prevented
prices, these are his words: Our people
do not wait to be coached and led. Any
leading strings we might seek to put
them in would speedily become hope
lessly entangled, because they would pay
no attention to them and go their own
way. The American business man is of
quick initiative At that time we had
competent Federal Food Administra-
ton. completely organized throughout
the nation.
Food Machine Strapped.
Mr.. Wilson deliberately scrapped his
vast organization, which might have re-
moved n part at least OF the causes OF
high prices. Now, months after he has
dismissed the Federal and State agen-
ces, he is calling them together again to
deal with the question. The ratification
of the treaty may increase exports, but
increase in exports will not reduce prices
at home. II responsibility for the high
cost of living rests upon any agency or
man 1t rests upon the present Admins
tration and Woodrow Wilson,"
Speaking of Article X. of the covenant
of the league Senator johnson, after
quoteing President Wilson's interpreta-
ton of the section said:
ct makes America underwrite every
territorial grab OF every other nation,
every wrong and injustice done peoples,
every bargain by which human beings
have been handed about from one SOW
ereignty to another, every violation OF
natural right and self-determination.
every oppression of the strong over the
weak Naively the President remarks
that secret treaties hampered him at the
Peace Conference and embarrassed the
whole settlement. Jnferentially, he con-
cedes the wiclsedness of those secret
treaties, Nut he was neither hampered
nor embarrassed to such degree as TO
cause him to stand manfully and cour-
aeeously for his oft expressed pr1n-
ciples. Not only did he abandon his
principles and abjectly surrender his
idealism but he became part of the
secret treaties he denounccs when he
united in making them the basis of ac-
ton at Paris"