Evening star., 1920-02-02

knotty problem Chairman Hays has
offered prize of $40, 900 for a solution
and Chairman Cummings of the demo-
cratlc committee thinks that is a
piker's figure for the solving of such
sum in political mathematics.
Probable Republican Policy.
IL would seem now that the repub-
means propose to lay great stress upon
the exposure of alleged eXtraVagance
OF the democratic administration in
the conduct OF the war. That a great
huilabaloo will be raised over what
the investigating committees claim to
nave unearthed is expected. But some
republicans are uncertain in their
mind whether this will prove q taking
issue. They argue that the American
people are already counting the war
is over. the cost having been paid. 1t
was a pretty penny and some part of
1t may have been used extravagantly,
uselessly. or dishonesty. But it is
done with and over; it has been writ
ten Off the books and does not figure
in the future, it is argued
1t is like q fellow the next morning
counting the cost of the party the
night before. in which he had been
the host and had found himself, by
the circumstances of the case, called
upon to do the handsome thing. The
check had been larger than expected,
put ne had paid il graciously-
noblesse oblige-and the next thing
was to make some more money. It is
the American spirit. it is urged
SO. whether the voters will become
excited over the past-and gone ex-
penditures on account of the war is
regarded by many politicians as
highly doubtful. If that proves to be
the only stock in trade of the repub-
means in the next campaign. many
democrats will lift in their hearts,
now somewhat downcast.
Think Administration in Disfavor.
But what the republicans are really
counting upon most, it is believed, to
carry them through. is their belief
that the country is out of sorts with
the democratic national administra-
tion and wants an end to it and all its
works. The republican leaders are
said to believe that the administra-
ton is in the bad graceS of the peo-
pie. and, of course. if such be the
case the diseruntIement would ex-
tend to the democratic congressional
as well as presidential ticket.
That is a psychological condition. if
it exists-not tangible-it is pointed
out II is negative issue, and what
the restless voters now are demand-
ing. by all the signs of the times. is a
positive issue, constructive program.
Strict economy and cutting down ex-
penditures are promised by both par
And in the meantime the eXigencies
of the situation do not permit of any
reduction Of taxation. because the
-the-bone requirements of the
national budget call for the continu-
ance of high taxes as the only means
to raise the money.
The democrats have their perplexf-
ties, too. They realize their party is
drifting without an active head, has
been for months, and. so far as the
public is advised. promises to be un-
dergoing the same lack during the
critical period of the campaign. Wood
row Wilson has been the spinal COL
umn, cerebrum and cerebellum of the
democratic party for nearly eight
years, it has been said. His enforced
inactivity is being felt
And there is William J. Bryan, who
has a whole sheaf full of positive is
sues all radical, to be sure. but recog-
nized as definite and unquestionably
as appealing to a very large class in
this country He knows what he
wants and is going after it. inviting
the voters to follow him.
Anybody want that $4,000 Of Chair
man Hays? If he has any ideas likely
to pull down the prize better sound
out Chairman Cummings; maybe the
offer will be doubled.