The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-10
THE SCIENCE OF coyu,,N,ryr

Politics. according to thaY etymoiogists. is
the science OF govcrnmentF but according to
practice in the United stascs OF America It is
cnacting laws. As I'VE study the platforms Of
the two major parties I'VE are reminded once
again, and with great favor, OF Vice President
Marshaiis epgram "Thcy should write the
democratic platform on a postcard"
Instead. a platform was written that, CON
Sidering tho subjects named for special legis-
lation. suggests the proposal of "A people who
are starting In TO found a government from tho
ground up. The republican platform is almost
as verbose and suggestive of a wilderness of
new laws.
And yet, what the country needs more than
anything elese is a legislative fast until such
time as the statutes now in existence are
thoroughly digested. Not only In the federal
relation. but In state ana even municipal rela.
tions. the patient suffers from acute lcgisla.
tive indigestion. And among political pract-
cionors OF reputc there is no disagreement either
as to the dstcmper. the cause OF tho cure.
The political parties however, like induigent
parents, fearing to say mo" pledge themselves
to continue overcrowding the stomach with
trouble-breedng vlands
What the United States stands In need OF il
not more laws. but a sane and militant over
interest OF economy and sane efficiency in
the administration OF essential laws. The ma
ton suffers from over-government So much
so, that every man with a personal difficulty
every faction with grievance to be redresscd
or purpose to be realized. asks government aid
and protection In excess Of anything contem-
plated In the constitution and In most cases
In direct opposition to the clear intention of
those who devised that wonderful instrument
The industrial situation does not rcouire new
leSislation. Neither does the railroads. nor
the farming industry. stock raising industry. nor
does the penal code require additions The
extension OF government authority any further
into social or Industrial relations is "A mistake.
the proposal cannot Justify itself either In the
constitution or IN the face OF logic and reason
The sane legislation required at the hands OF
new administration is easily understood The
war must be brought to an Official end and
foreign relation re-estabished along the
frontiers set up by the early executives and
their successors to the time OF woodrow Wilson
There stop until the entire system Of admin.
istrative government has been thoroughly oyer
hauled and simplIrcd To accompIish This
overhauling more repeals than enactments will
be found desirable and necessary, moro offices
viii need to be abolished than created
Out OF such legislative activity will nccessar
fly come revision OF the tax laws and re
distribution OF the public debt. But It should
be a part OF the general undertaking, not a
legislative achievement by itself
No administration could perform a moro last
ing and valuable service TO the country than
thia II the new administration whatever its
partisan complexion may be- could manage TO
impress the country with It's determination not
to enact another piece OF legislation or create
another office until after a competent COM
nitee had made a survey OF existing laws and
apartments and bureaus and reported compre-
hensive plan of smplfied government, there
would be a SIGH OF relieved approval
The special pleaders and class advocates
would be compelled to pack their trunks and