The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-20
THE DAILY EDITORIAL DIGEST
National and Nonpartisan Summary of Leading Press
Opinion Current Questions and Events.
Mr.. Lodges Plan.

is their motive no longer TO be con-
cealed. After all the great and small
nations, save Venezuela and the United
States. have accepted membership In
Tho league. not even the humblest and
tradltionally credulous marine would
listen for a moment to the explanation
that tho United States has found some-
thing In the covenant which impairs
Its sovereignty and independence or runs
counter to it's Constitution The OBJ
8tructIonists would be willing to kill the
other way. But that would put the re-
sponsibility upon the republicans who
control that body. In which the demo-
Gratis. with few exceptions, have been
willing to vote for ratification. II ia
the hope OF Mr.. Lodge and his followers.
therefore. that the treaty may be rati-
fed and sent to the president 30
manned and mangled, so stripped OF ell
power for good, that he viii be COM
PEELED to withhold II from the other
signatory powers Then, as they rea-
son, the responsibility for defeating the
treaty would rest upon democratic
president.
They overlook the fact that by that
procedure they would put themselves al
together in his power. He might dis
patch the treaty to Paris with the
bald statement that, as the Constitu-
ton requires, he had submitted the pact
for the advice and consent Of the sem
alto, with results which the other DOW
ers would find embodied in the resolu-
ton OF ratification. II the other mem
bers OF the league accepted our mem
bership on such terms. the republicans
would have lost their campaign issue,
They would be unable to hold the press
ident responsible for rejection. The
treaty would disappear altogether as a
campaign Issue. and the republicans
would have nothing left to talk about in
the campaign but Mr.. Wilson'S auto
cratic ways, the high cost Of living and
burdensome taxes, for which they. no
longer the democrats. are responsible.
II. on the other hand. the other powers
declared that with the republican res
ervhtions the treaty was no longer the
instrument signed at Versailles, and
that the United States could not be adj
mitted 10 the league under conditions
which deprived It's membership OF all
value and efficiency in the works Of
peace. then the responsibility for our
humiliation and disgrace, for the con-
tinuation OF the state OF war with Ger
many. would rest altogether upon re-
publican shoulders, md all the sophis-
tries and false pretenses In the world
could not dislodge it--New York Times
Gnd. Dem.)
Lady Astors Ambassador.
From London comes the exceedingly
interesting statement that Lady Astor
was largely responsible for the selection
of Sir Auckland Geddes as ambassador
to the United States. The FIRST woma n
member of the house OF commons is
said to have worked upon Lloyd George
with might and main to secure the APP
pointment OF Sir Auckland. being con-
WINGED that he was exactly the man
for the place: and In the end accord
Ing TO this story, the prime minister ac-
repted her Judgment.
Certainly II there is any truth in this
~ nil It lends extraordinary interest Ia
'he new ambassadors career AT WASH
ington. That career Will constitute n
most interesting test OF feminine capac-
ity in one OF the most important depart
ments OF politics and statecraft--
namely the matter OF picking the riPht
persons for the right places. n Indy
Aston has picked winner. II Geddes
turns out to be a successful amhasEa-
dor. n events prove that we owe pri-
'narily 10 a worran's clear perceptions
The selection by Great Britain OF rep
resentaiive whose selection results IN
treat benefit both 10 Great Britain ard
this country-then tho woman IN poll
tics will have won victory worth win
ming.
But n Geddea turns out 10 be n fall.
ure and II in the meantime Lady Aston
'NNS not denv the soft InneR chment
nttrihutinE TO her the responslbilltv for
N's appointment. the woman IN politics
win receive q severe Jolt ana prime
ministers In the future will be apt "a
stick pretty closely to their male nd
visers.--Charleston News and Courier
Dcm.)
Subsidy for 6Iq Families.
The trainers Of the income tax law
appear to have stopped working lust Il
they were about 10 make logical. we'll
m n p1p ~ kas
hesitated when II came to CARRYING the
exemption" clause TO its rational con-
cluHion. They seem 10 have lost sight
Of the wisdom contained In the maxim
ITS poor rule that doesn't work both
WAYS"
Under the head OF exemptions the
head OF a family Is allowed n personal
exemption Of $4,000. and may deduct
700 for each child under 10 years OF
age. Cases are doubtless almost innu-
n,erahle where the exemptions allowed
Tor the children will more than equal
the income remaining after other de-
auctions are made, In other words
there ore cases where, II complete Jus.
tice were done. the government would
owe tho taxpayer something. II does
not seem unrea sonahle that the govern
ment should hand something to the
father Of SIX children whose income may
be only So. 400 Under the law the
until his income exceeds $4,000 Since
In the case cited, his income IL only
80 400, there II little difference OF
$500 In his favor which the government
might easily settle.
Another reason for recommending the
head OF Rooeevoltian family r. that
hts burdens are inmeasurahly greater
than tho man with no children. II
would tighten HIS load somewhat II, nj
this season Of the year when most per-
sons are worrying over their income tar
reports, he could step around 10 the fed
eral building and get what II coming &c
MIN. II would mid much TO his enjoy
ment ~ life II. just before March is. he
could assemble his mock. count heads
ana take the glad tldnGs to n benign
and generous government.
II " capable OF proof that the most
valuable citizen Is the man with wife
and children. He Is conscious Of hi,
responsibility and his aim is to make
The country the best possible place &c
live In Yet there Is no government en-
enlargement for him. The $500 a veal
for each child upon which the govern
mont refrains from levyinc n tax Is In
adequate, hut when tho lawmakers
omitted to reimburse him when the bal.
ance was in his favor Injustice wa'
done. March rs should have no ter
rors for the father OF such a family n:
tS contemplated In one Of tho best
known ~ RooSCNclts doctrines.
Post -lutelliCcnCer lind. Rep)
The German Counter Revolution.
That reaction should occur I'm Ger.
many was inevitable. The task laid or
tho republican government could not hC
ATTEMPTED by any administration with
ont creating grave dissatisfaction. Ar
unreasonable hut nevertheless profound
disappointment possessed n large Sec
ton ~ the German people because over
throw Of the monarchy did not iustan-
tancCuslv cure the country of its ills
RcaCtionny agitation has been main-
tanned steadily since the emperor ah-
diCatCd. Some at least ~ the iunkcrs
have been laborlnK diligently 20 restore
The old order. on tho other hama many
advocates OF social upheavsl we're sup
rresSc by NcSke'S guards The policy
q the ministry has been RssaUed from
oil sides The sun and New York Her