Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1919-08-21
AMERICAN PEOPLE De.
MAND IMMEDIATE ACTION

immediate relief from profiteering,
prompt ratification of the peace
treaty, including the League of Ma.
tions, and legislation extending some
sort of substantial recognition to dis
charged soldiers for their services
during the war are some of the things
the country demands of Congress. and
which Congress would do we'll to
grant, in the opinion of Representa-
tive Scott Ferris, of Oklahoma.
Representative Ferris, who is chair
man of the Democratic Congressional
Committee, has just returned to
Washington from trip to the middle
west. He declares that the public is
tired of the unending debate for which
the present Congress is most cele-
brated and which gets nowhere, and
that unless the Republicans, who con-
troll the Congress, substitute construc-
tive action for words before very much
longer, they will hear from the coun-
try in tones that will be very distinct.
'If / am any judge of public senti-
ment in the middle and southwest"
said Mr.. Ferris, "the prepoderence is
that the peace treaty, including the
League Of Nations, be agreed to at the
earliest possible date; that the war
be finally closed, that peace and pre-
war conditions be Immediately res
tored, and that we get back to normal
conditions at the earliest possible
moment. The people understand full
well that the peace treaty carries pro-
visions, first, for arbitration; second,
for disarmament; third, against secret
treaties and, fourth, that the United
States can, on two years. notice, with
draw from the League if she desires.
They are heartsick about debates on
Shantung and other technical phases
they want the whole matter agreed
to and put bekind them.
"If / am any judge, the people de-
mand some immediate and affirmative
protection against profteering and
those who are making abnormal pro-
fits out Of toe necessities of life. They
also want it made perfectly clear that
Presidents Wilson'S suggestions will
be followed and that every profitcer
in whatsoever walk of life be requir-
er to content himself with reasonable
Profits. Conditions are too abnormal
and the load of the citizen is too heavy
at this particular time to withstand
the fabulous profits that are being
snatched from both producer and con-
sumer on every hand.
"The people demand that Congress
do for the four million discharged SOL
diers what other countries are doing
give them some substantial recog-
milton of their service. In conversing
with numerous sold;,rs on the subject
they expressed hope that the Mon1r)l
soldier LAND bill might be materially
anirndcd So that 4 will be made to
benefit very much larger number IF
soldia.s and .yienG the hand of u
portun5y t. those who do not de 'tre
to enter g colder colonization plan,
"Iu short, If am any judge, the
people of the middle and southwest de-
sire u III. the abnormal war cor Ii
tions behind them as rapidly as pos
siblev resu:ne prc-war conditions and
TAKE VI their tasks onew, and any te-
lay or long irawr cut debate in the
Senatc ever the peace treaty will be
d ',heartening to ;h"nl, as it will 'e
III; r5ftal!t ts tEf country at larg=.
d" I see that it has been asserted by
Republicans to win control of both
branches of Congress that the legis-
lation now on the calendar is chicken
feed and does not deserve the atten-
tion of Congress.
"The American people, who are daily
being robbed by profiteering and food
gamblers, will be slow to agree with
this logic. The railroad problem, in
tricate though it be, deserves atten-
tion and attention now. The develop
ment of the west by appropriate legis-
lation for the development of oil, coal
and other natural resources are all
held in allegiance. Unless the Repub-
lican leaders in Congress are totally
wanting in initiative, and are totally
without ability to assemble themselves
and act, substantial and immediate
steps should be taken for the solution
of these problems.
"The Republican Congress has been
in session nearly thre months. All
it has been able to do is to re-enact
the bills the Democrats formulated in
the las. Congress and which were kill
ed by the Republican fillibuster in the
Senate. They have initiated nothing
new. They have made no substantial
effort to achieve the things for which
the American people are clamoring.
They have been without vision and