Evening star., 1920-02-20
new YORK c. 0.P.
FOR RAMER|CAN|zED
LEAGUE COVENANT
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

NEW YORK, FeDfOary ZU.-CSudiS
the most important feature of state
conventions such as the republican
gathering here now. is not SO much
what is done in the official proceed
ings as in confabs among the dele
gates on the side, the exchange OF
information as to party conditions
throughout the state and the outlook
for the future. That is the case now,
too However. there is one slight ex-
ception to the rule. One joins group
of political acauaintances who are
very earnestly conversing. Are they
talking about politics? Are they dis
cussing the league of nations? Are
they worried over the Fiume corre-
spondence? Are they canvassing the
statessaf the eAstock market? Guess
again. Draw a little nearer and III
wRs5 + ss e sS. aex aas macs
you got in your cellar, Bill? How
long will it last you? Do you reckon
it will ever come back again." And
30 on.
Finally They Talk Shop"
However, they do get down to cases
finally and talk shop. the same being
to them politics. Today the principa
topic was the address OF Chairman
Root at last nights meeting. in which
he outlined the attitude Of the repub
lican party of this state on nationa
questions. blew York is the first state
to speak in the presidential campaign
New York will sound the keynote
politicians say, of the party's policy
on national issues.
To begin with, it will be noted that
New York republicans do not take ar
irreconcilable attitude toward the
cate the utter casting out of the
treaty. They recognize that the league.
donations plan possesses worthy pro.
posals. but at the same time they in
sist that it shall be Americanized be-
yond peradventure. New York's stand
the Senate and encouragement, to
those who are working for a compro-
mise.
Mr.. Root on Labor Problemx.
But the feature of Mr.. Roots ad-
dress which attracted most attention
tically unanimous approval. was his
discussion Of the right of the general
public in the strife between employ
ers and employes-the labor situa-
ton, in short.
Bearing in mind that one faction of
preparing to espouse the demands of
labor again a. paramount 20 the in
terests Of all the rest of the popula-
ton, while another element in that
party is expected to go almost as far
rs the extremists, the politicians saw
fairness and justice and to considera-
stion of the rights Of all classes of the
people. His speech was construed to
mean that the republican party is
likely to take COURAGEOUS stand for
the square deal for everybody. even if
it must come to the necessity of ap-
parently declining to follow implicit
~ the demands OF a class.
The delegates enthusiastically ap-
plauded when he said the effective
general railroad strike. is not that II
such and such demands are not COM
piled with the coal companies or the
railroad companies will cease to make
profits. 1t is that if such and such
demands are not complied with mil
lions Of Americans will be deprived OF
things necessary to. their existence
The demands may be right or they
NAV be wrong. Whether they be right
or wrong. the people who are depend
ent upon the continued operation OF
those industries must in some way
secure compliance with the demands
in order to save their lives.
'This situation presents with star
tling distinctness the question whether
our American popular government is
to continue or is to be changed into
class dictatorship.
'The question is not of form. 1t is
one of substance. 1t is who exercises
the real power of government. the peo-
nile or the class? If it be the class
which rules. while it will doubtless be
for a time less brutal here in purpose
than the proletariat Of Lenin and
Trotzky. the government viii be in it's
essence the same. 1t Will ne class
control over the majority; established
and maintained through fear of actual
nhysical injury, fear Of cold and hun
ger and darkness and pestilence; the
Stopping of the machinery upon which
life depends"
Mr., Roots remarks were considered
the more significant in view of the sit
uation at Washington 1T this hour, over
the demands of labor in connection
with the railroad bill and its suggested
veto,