South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-24
Other Editors Than Ours
HARMONY DISTURBED.
Washington POST

There seems to he a slight rift in the Lutte OF re-
publican harmony in congress. Judging from recent
debate in the horse senate there exist in both
branches differences of opinion among the leaders
as 10 policies and the agitation of them.
At the beginning of this congress, when the re-
pubicans took control OF house and senate and
assumed responsibility for legislation, they an
nOunced specific policies upon which there was con-
cord and declared these policies would be carried
into effect. Chief among them was economy in pub
lie expenditures. promise which called forth APP
pause from entire country. Retrenchment was
TO be the watchword the public treasury was to be
protected; expenses were TO be reduced.
The house committees military affairs and
naval affairs in framing the appropriations for the
army and made reductions far below the es-
Inmates of the departments and gave promise that
the policy of economy would be carried into effect
most satisfactorily. But when these bills reached
the senate hundred of millions in appropriations
added TO them, thus very materially weaken
ing the republican claim of economy. And in con-
ference agreements reached with respect 10
which left the perfected bills lower in their
totals than fixed by the senate but many millions
greater than the house had voted.
Consequently the conference reports OPP
posed by Floor Leader Mondell and the house wit
messed the spectacle OF the republican party In con-
gress very spirtedl divided the question of war
appropriations with the party leader in open crt-
cism Of the work of the principal commit
tees This lack OF harmony was the course great
glee for the democrats, whose divided ranks in the
previous congress had been the theme of frequent
and caustic comment by republicans
In the senate similar situation developed when
the conference report the sundry civil bill
under consideration The cOnferecs had eliminated
$4,000 appropriation to pay the expense of an in
vestigation into the budget system with view TO
the adoption this system BY congress another of
the policies which the republicans had plighted
their troth. Sen. Kenyon OF Iowa, one Of the mill
tan liberal republicans. took occasion 10 criticize
this very pointedly and call attention 10
the solemn pledge which had been ignored. He
ferred 10 the summarizing of this movement for
a budget system b. the old guard. and minated
it would frankly state the public that
the party intention of carrying out its pledge
These and numerous other incidents cropping out
in the course OF debate indicate lack OF complete
unity OF purpose among republicans which may
eventually have an important bearing upon the
forthcoming presidential campaign. For il the rep
resentatives OF the party in congress unable
present united front policies and fail 10 agree
upon putting these policies into effect, what chance
has the party securing the unity in the campaign
so necessary 10 its success?
1t is too early talk OF candidates but il is
tain chat the democratic party will enter the next
campaign with a keen determination 20 win. who
ever the standard bearer may be. and with the
To west control from them the republicans
have united party with all factions and shades Of
opirion fused. harmonious 10 purposes and ideals
and prepared 10 give a demonstration OF teamwork
such as they have shown since the memorable
revolution OF 1912. The family souabbles GO
ing on are conducive to that condition.
one republican publicity bureau wants "separ-
ate peace" with Germany Which looks like way
&c with the American DeoDle-Grand