The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-02


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secure League OF Nations without this
assent or the Senate. but he endeavored
20 evade and practically nullify the
rightful power of the Senate by attach
ing to the treaty of peace with Ger
many, which everybody desired the
covenant OF the League OF Nations,
which ought to have been separately
considered because it bound the country
for an indefinite future and required
the utmost care on the part OF all con-
cerned In Its formation and ratification.
His plan was simple He aimed to conn
pei the Senate to ratify the covenant
of the League of Nations by forcing
upon It the alternative of holding up
the treaty OF peace with Germany,
which all rlen desired to nave disposed
of at once.
Attempt to Usurp Powers.
This was an attempt on Mr.. Wilson's
part by indirect but effective methods
ITO usurp the Constitutional powers OF
one great branch OF the Government
INSTEAD of consulting with his constitU-
tional advisers--and many Presidents
have consulted the Senate about negotia-
tons beforehand as well as after q
treaty had been negotiated-Mr Wilson
undertook TO nullify the powers Of the
Senate and force them TO ratify treaty
containing the League of Nations OF
which they did not approve as it was
submitted to them. This is the method
or an autocrnt and not of a coastitil-
tional President.
Mr.. Wilson has also adopted the au-
tocratic method in another direction. He
has carried on his relations with for
cign nations and his negotiations largely
through personal agents through men
who did not hold an office IN which they
had been confirmed by the Senate. which
would make them officials OF the United
States. but persons selected by the Presi-
dent and responsible TO him alone He
sent men like Mr.. John Lind and Mr.
William Bayard Hale to represent him
IN Mexico
Col. House. a personal agent OF the
President. was sent abroad 20 hold con-
versations with heads Of foreign gov
ernments and report to Mr.. Wilson alone,
and there were others IN less important
ices who were used in the same way.
nis abuse of the Underlined power 70
mploy personal agent is 2 direct
thod of the autocrat and not Of the
Institutional magistrate.
Attitude Toward CONGRESS-.
Tho Constitution provides that the
President snail ADDRESS tae Cong ess on
''lS SNdbC u lllc liiSu, anu - - itp
duty to call the attention of Congress-
to anything which he thinks equires
their action and 10 declare his policies
for the advice OF Congress. II Us not the
Aight or the duty Of the President TO
undertake to leg slate. Mr. Wilson has
o-never hesitated openly or privately 10
settle the details of legislation and to
tell the Congress just what the form OF
bills should be He has passed upon
Amendments offered either In the Senate
~ the House, and ne succeeded in cstab-
Fishing such a reign OF terror over many
y Representatives and Senators OF his own
arty that the Legislative powt rs OF the
constitution granted to Congress alone
we're impaired and distorted.
These cases in a very general way
Illustrate the dangers TO which Nj. VIII
:0n's theory of government has exposed
Us. and there is nothing more Important
L han to bring our Government back to
he observance Of the constitutional pro-
visions under which we have lived ana
\ prospered since the foundation OF the
Governm. mt.
q Let me now briefly call attention to
vgome other points which must be consid-
4red If we wish to have sound and safe
legislation and administration. Mr.. Will
tcn's autocratic Administration affected
every department OF the Government.
When the head of the Government took
the View which he did az to his rights
end powers 1t was natural that his s'.b-
ordinates should initiate MIN. Look az
he Post ONCE Department need not
70 into the details for we 81 1re oe
pendent on the mails ard we u Know
y how wretched the service has been.
- War Risk BurSau
Let us consider next tnni rrest Blu
resu OF War Risk Insurance. whose duty
+ It is TO pay the allotments made by roll
/. djers 10 their families. well insur-
ance for their benefit and also disability
compensation to our soldiers themselves.
That bureau Is as large as some de-
rartments and touches the welfare OF
the people TO whom We should be most
grateful, those who made direct sacT-
Ices both In the field and at home TO
AIRY on the war. Payments are ,e
yed. allotments are not promptly sent
<nIt, often causing great distress Their
a. endless delay in all branches of this
bureau. ard delay Is the one thing that
should not occur in regard 10 compensa-
ZION and allotmcnts TO our soldiers and
heir dependents.
~ Il cannot undertake 10 40 into the
shortcomings OF the War and Navy De-
rtrnents In detail The offers of the
w made II effective during the war.
the civil administration we owe but
=. In the war department thc same
may be said. only the scale Is
d larger. There Is. however, one
re which affects both the War and
n Departments and which deserves
ike, and that is the favoritism In
ointment. on the one hand, and on
other the vindictive spirit which is
IN toward officers not liked by the
' .etaries. II HIS been In the highest
gree d screditable and injurious to
10Th services.
Reckless Expenditure.
81 wish now to refer 20 another point
the wild extravaganza and reckless ex-
penditure of money. The American pco-
| ple were ready to spend money without