Grand Forks herald., 1919-11-21

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encountered men, stubborn and opnionated himself
and less rigid dislike obey orders matters
concerning which they expect to exercise In
ure the right of>independent Judgment. 4S1
The presidents tendency to command rather than
to consult led to- frequent clashes between himself and
members Of congress sometimes Of his party and
sometimes Of the opposing party, war
Europe broke out When the became fact and the
United States though party ct beginning,
was brought into contact with the pres
dents manifest determination handle every
atins to without consultation with who all
must share with him the responsibility decisions
made accentuated the differences which already
and when the United States entered the conflict nothing
but the recognition of great national emergency suf-
feed to smooth over temporarily partialy>the
antagonisms which had been growing for many months
Even in this emergency the yielding all the
Of congress. for the president became and
the dictator. His attitude resented the feeling
Of resentment became apparent pres
ident became angry, and voiced his anger in his pre-
election appeal Of year appeal which, in
consummate political folly.
There thus created situation which precluded
anything like team work between the executive and con-
sress particularly between president and members
of the Republican group in congress- situation which
had its origin in the unadaptabiity president and
which was aggravated by contributions from many
vduas who, their part. influenced by per-
sonal or party feelings.
The peace treaty. in the framing OF which the senate
was ignored, was presented to body of whose
members approved and others disapproved it its
merits others of whom aligned for against large
iy by party considerations but few of whom had reason
to feel desire to accommodate the president himself
The president insisted the ratification the treaty
unchanged. He supported in this by eminent Re-
pubcans within and without the senate quite early
cations would be impossible. h2
No, man in the nation has shown a better grasp Of
the situation than has former President TAFT and no
wiser and effective suggested than
that outlined by him. Taft waived his party affila-
the treaty perfect nearly perfect but he
did regard it entirely SAFE and in
Therefore he expressed the hope that might
fled unchanged He saw that this Improbable
and then he urged its ratification with reservations Of
moderate character There the slightest reason to-
doubt that IL the administrator faction had made Wig
effort the adoption series Of
tons substantially like those which Mr. suggested
ratification could have been reached basis But
the necessary craftsmanship lacking. adinls-
rgidy by its demands and the contest be-
and more bitter Those who objected to any
League of Nations of kind, and under circum
stances pucked up courage as they prospects
featng the treaty altogether They more vgor-
in their onsaushts. Moderate Republicans labored
in vain to reach reasonable compromise. The result
what we have
lnnumerable circumstances have contributed to
bring about the unfortunate which exists But
the outstanding utter of cooperation
among men charged with the performance Of a great
duty The responsibility for that lack Of cooperation
rests single Individual There are few who have
participated in the struggle who held blameess
But because of the position which heoccupes,
of the leadership which properly expected OF
him. the major portion the responsibility
the president himself.