Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-01-01
Rus.SEss SENSE SHOULD BE
GLIDING STAR.

Ia notifies or business sense TO be
our guiding star? Are the interests OF
the country 10 be sacrificed because a
Presidential election is to be held IN
1920? II looks to observers in Wash
inton as II that is the problem OF the
hour.
The Democratic party was in power
when world affairs forced us into war.
II is logical to criticize the mistakes
that we're made, and. in political cir
Giles, to charge them to the democratic
party. That mistakes have been made
no unbiased person will deny. Frank
ly. any party. any body of men. to
whom such cyclopean tasks were
given, would have made some mistakes.
In the end regardless of party,
America will yearly grow prouder OF
Americas part in the great war
against the Hun. II was an American
achievement. The democrats were in
the saddle; il fell to them TO be the
leaders. and history will record how
the republicans worked hand in hand
with them in the spirit OF loyalty and
fealty, making one superb American
unit to do the things that the hour de-
manded.
IL would be pity to spoil so fine a
record by doing mischief to our own
best interests at home in the days OF
reconstruction. The prevalent note in
Congress now is that Of retrenchment,
and the impression one gains at the
Capital is that retrenchment is to pro-
coed for its own sake, no matter what
happens to the country The business
men OF the nation are bewildered.
Contracts have been cancelled in all
directions, and no time has been given
for shifting over to a peace basis The
steel makers were urgent for price
fixing, but they received no considera-
ton. The War Industries Board clear
ly was incapable of taking such action
after the policy outlined by President
Wilson in his message to Congress on
December 2. Business men in many
parts OF the country who had accepted
huge contracts by telephone, or by
word of mouth, without exacting for
NAL contracts, were confronted with
refusal to make payments, and a bill
to validate these obligations was pre-
scented by the war department TO the
Military Affairs committee. This was
logical and right. but the opposition to
the measure has already become so
great that its passage is threatened.
Not only is ii opposed by republicans,
but the democrats, in their anxiety to
avert criticism as easy spenders, have
become as hostile to it as their politi-
cal opponents. Is the country to be
committed to disregard of its just
debts in the name of economy?
That we needed some legal machin-
cry for returning industry to its nor
NAL channels is undeniable. England,
Canada and Australia have each set us
an example that we would have done
well TO follow. Industry is being sus-
tained, and the Acting Prime Minister
of Australia. Mr.. Watt, pointed out
that the extraordinary responsible
ties and powers of the executive, which
had grown up under the War Pre-
cautions Act, could not suddenly be
terminated without tremendous danger.
Therefore he insisted upon continuing
control of the leading industries of
that commonwealth.
Our Administration likewise had ex-
traordinary powers. and these do not
necessarily terminate until peace is
assured. The country was given hope
that the war boards were TO be used
for letting us down gradually from the
high pressure of war. but the cry of
retrenchment and threats of political
probing of expenditures have resulted
in casting wisdom to the winds.
1t has been suggested that we may
yet retain the Council of National De-
Tense in an advisory capacity to help
us find our way safely to normal con-
ditions. That might be useful. but to
be effective there must be power also
to act. Representative Zihlman has in
troduced bill for reconstruction
commission. but here again the pur-
pose I'm view is merely to advise Con-
gress. No means of prompt procedure
to save the country in a crisis is pro-
vided.
Opposition has also developed
against extending further loans to our
Allies. which had been suggested by
Secretary McAdoo as needed for nom
war purposes. in spite of the fact that
the $i.500.00O,0O0 asked for would
have been expended in the purchase of
supplies in this country.
No one can object to economy of the
public money. but the credit of the
country depends upon it's recognition
OF obligations. whether moral or legal,