Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-06-29

lions by "6metlu8 SotAsAs~~'
said that over 90 Investigations havS
been made, over two million dollars
wasted and 1.-THE result has been 10
prove that It was the cheapest war
ever fought in the history OF civiliza-
ton" 49,
"The Republican party became 80
fixed in it's incorrigible habit OF con-
Quoting Investigations that 1T finally
turned to the fruitful task Of investi-
eating itself. They discovered fraud
and graft and gross and inexcusaple
expenditures. The revelations as
close the fact that the meeting at
Chicago was not q convention, but an
auction. The highest bidder, how
ever, did not get the prize. The pub
licity which overlook the proceedings
frustrated the initial purpose. The
Chicago convention left the Demo-
cratic party as the sole custodian OF
the honor of the country"
Peace achievements Of the Demo-
cratic party. he asserted, freed the
farmer from the deadening effects OF
usurious financial control. Labor was
given it's Magma Charta Of liberty.
Business and finance were released
from the thralldom Of uncertainty
and hazard"
1.-The income tax law" he said, ire
lieved our law of the reproach of be-
ing unjustly burdensome to the poor.
The extravagancies and inequities
of the tariff system were removed
and a non partisan tariff commission
created. Pan Americanism was en-
couraged and the bread thus cast up
on the waters came back to us many
fold. Alaska was opened to COM
merce and development. Dollar diplo-
macy was destroyed. A corrupt lobby
was driven from the national capitol.
An effective Seaman's Act was adopt
ed. The federal trade commission
was created. Child labor legislation
was enacted. The Parcel Post and
the Rural Free Delivery were devel-
oped. A good roads bill and a rural
of labor was given a seat in the cab
met Of the president Eight hour laws
were adopted. The Clayton Amend
ment to the Sherman anti trust act
was passed. freeing American labor
and taking it from the list Of COM
modities. The Smith-Leve bill for
the improvement of agricultural con-
ditions was passed A corrupt prac-
tees act was adopted. A we'll consid-
cred warehouse act was passed.
Federal employment bureaus were
created. Farm loan banks, postal
savings banks and the federal reserve
system were established.
The federal reserve system, pass
ed over the opposition of the leaders
of the Republican party, enabled
America to withstand the strain of
war without shock or panic and I'LL
timately made our country the great
est creditor nation of the world"
Turning to the record of the Repub-
lican congress since 1918. Mr.. Cum
mings said it was barren Of achieve
ment, shameless in waste Of time and
money and without parallel for its
incompetencies, failures and repud :
iations"
President Wilson's two appeals be-
fore congress for legislation dealing
with prof1teering. reduction of taxa
ton, aid for soldiers and laws to i'm
prove relations of capital and labor
were ignored. he declared, and after
a year of sterile debate our country
has neither peace nor reconstruction.
He dwelt particularly on attacks
made upon the President. Malice
followed him to the peace table. he
said, and wide spread propaganda
made it imperative when he returned
from Paris to make a struggle for
that which had been won at incalcul-
able cost. This meant wreck Of
health. sickness fog months on a bed
of pain; and worse the sickness of
heart which comes from the know
ledge that political adversaries are
savagely destroying not merely the
work of mems hands, but the worlds
hope of settled peace. This was the
aff1iction-this the crucifixion."
Mr.. Cummings continued that in
one sense lit is quite immaterial what
people say about the President. Moth
ing we can say can add or detract
from the fame that will flow down the
unending channels of history"
He cited the Republican and Pro-
gressive platforms of 1915 as part of
the record placing this country in
favor of the league of nations.
THE Republican platform contains
a vague promise to establish another
or different form of association" he
said There is no mental dishonesty
more transparent than that which ex-
presses fealty to a league of nations
while opposing the only league that
exists or is ever apt to exist"
What nations stand outsider Revo-
lutionary Mexico. Bolshevist Russia,
unspeakable Turkey and-the United
States.
1T is not yet too late. Let US
stand with the forces Of civilization.
The choice is plain. 1t is between the
Democratic party's support of the
League Of Nations. with its program
OF peace, disarmament and world fra
ternity. and the Republican partys
platform Of reputation. provincialism,
militarism and world chaos"
1t Is not reservations that the Pres
ident stands against, said Mr.. Cum
mings. but notification. He told how
President Wilson had published the
tentative text Of the league covenant
widely in 1919. asking for criticism
and receiving suggestions from Taft
Hughes and others that were act
ually incorporated into the revised
draft Of the league"