Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-08-19

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Grafton, enabled the government to
transport troops and supplies, at the
same time a%ffording, under great
stress, a satisfactory outlet for our
industries. It should be remembered
In this connection that except for the
motor truck which supplemented
transportation by rail, and except for
the great pipe lines which conveyed
oil for commercial purposes, we
should not, In all probability have
been able to throw our deciding
strength into the balance and win the
war. Any attempt to discredlt the
federal operation Of railroads during
the years Of grave emergency Is un-
fair. In the case Of those who know
the facts it is insincere. Too much
cannot be said in praise of those who
directed this work, nor of the men
who physically operated the lines un-
der the discouraging conditions Of
poor equipment. But all Of this Is
water over the wheel. The problem
of the railroads Is still with US. The
government and the public should
render every cooperation in the ut
most good faith, to give thorough test
to private ownership. The railroads
have had their lesson. Government
regulation is accepted now as not only
a safeguard to the public, but as
a conserving process to the utility.
Financial credit Is necessary to ply
steal rehabilitation and 1t should be
sufficient for the periods of maximum
demand. We should not lose sight,
however, Of the vast possibilities of
supplementary service by water. The
Great Lakes and st. Lawrence navi-
CATION project, particularly, should
claim the interest Of the government.
Federal Reserve System.
1T is almost unnecessary to speak
OF the Federal Reserve system in con
n~ection with the winning Of the war,
as, next to the conservation Of u
manhood and womanhood itself, the
greatest factor was the marshalling
into one unit through the Federal Re
serve banks Of the s%tupendous wealth
of America. To those Of vision who
look out beyond our shores into that
commercial domain where We are so
justly entitled to enter in a time of
peace, latent power of the Federal Re-
serve system can be seer promoting in
every quarter Of the globe an ever
widening flow Of American commerce.
We will soon have a merchant marine
fleet Of II, 00o, 900 tons aggregate, every
ship flying the American flag and
carrying in American bottoms the pro-
ducts Of mill and mine and factory and
farm. This would seem to be a qua
antee Of continued prosperity. Our
facilities for exchange and credit, how
ever, in foreign parts, should be en-
larged and under the federal reserve
system, banks should be established in
important trading centers.
Reduction of Armament.
II am convinced after considerable
study Of the subject that the expense
Of the government can, without loss
Of efficiency, be reduced to a maximum
Of four billion dollars, including sink
ing fund and interest on the national
debt. When we enter the League Of
Nations, we should at the same time
diminish our cost for armament. To
continue expenditures in either the
war or the navy departments on a vast
scale, once our membership in the
League is assured, would seem to be a
very definite REPUTATION Of the advan-
tages Of the world plan which we be-
lieve 1t possesses. An appealing funda-
mental in the League method, is the
reduction Of ornaments We can
not afford to do 1t, until other nations
do likewise. If We do not enter the
League, hundreds of millions Of dol
lars must be spent for ornaments.
If we 60 in, and I believe the people
will insist on 1t, then we can count
on economies.
"The Republican leaders who have
taken charge of their party and nomi-
mated Its candidate, are no more pos
sessed of the spirit Of the hour than
they were In 1912 when they precipi-
tated a revolution within the rank and
file Of a great organization. If further
proof were needed, the action of, the
present Congress supplies it Not a
constructive law can be cited. Money
and time we're wasted in seeking to
make a military triumph an odious
chapter in history-and yet is It not
significant that after two years Of
sleuthful inquiry, there was nothing
revealed in that vast enterprise, carry
ing billions of dollars in expense, upon
which they could base even q whisper
Of dishonesty?
"The Mexican situation, trying to
u patience for years, begins to show
signs Of improvement. Not the least
Of the things that have contributed to
1t, is a realization by the people Of
that country, that we have neither the
lust for their domain, nor disposition
to disturb their sovereign rights.
Peace smiles upon the border and in
centive to individual effort seems to
be making a national aspiration.
Disabled Soldiers.
IT feel deeply that the rehabilitation
Of the disabled soldiers of the recent