Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-13
GENERAL WOOD DEFENDS TENETS
OF THE PARTY HE OPPOSES

vi 4 HI L
Gen. Woods Indianapolis speech Is re-
markable for the candor with which it
subscribes to the democratic doctrines Of
today, and in a measure helps to explain
the remarkable sympathy Of the repub-
Iican press with all public utterance that
advocates a return to the democracy OF
years gone by"
If it represents the sentiments of the
next candidate Of the republican party
for president it may be taken as excel
lent evidence of the hope Of republicans
that the democrats may be induced to
nominate a reactionary. For Wood ap-
parently envies the position Of the demo
cratic party as attained under President
Wilson and would run for Office on the
democratic platform. disguised under tho
name of progressive republicanism.
Referring to the part of our soldiers
under democratic administration in tho
worlds war, Mr.. Wood says:
''rhey made up in initiative for lack
of training, they went over the top again
and again with purpose single to vic
tory, and they gained their objective.
They did q fine and splendid piece of
work and we are all very grateful to
them"
So much for the war. Gen. Wood
admits that a democratic administra-
ton enabled the army to accomplish
ats objective"
1--WE are, think, all anxious to have
the nation return to peace basis, and to
have our affairs swing back to normal
channels. There is considerable to be
done and we can do 1t very easily II
we only devote ourselves to the work
Immediately at hand" says Gen. Wood.
Is this any different doctrine from
that which President Wilson and
the democratic party has been
preaching ever since the peace treaty
was presented to congressl
Is there any one other than the
republicans In congress preventing
this nation from swinging back to
normal channels2"
II we can do this every easily IL
we only devote ourselves to the
work Immediately at hand" why
doesn't the republican congress de-
vote itself to this work and accom-
plish It?
1--WE want to build up a good mer-
chant marine as one Of the means Of
distributing our commerce and build
ing up our trade. You also need It be-
hind your navy for the purpose Of train
Ing seaman IN times OF peace to be pre-
pared for war" says the general.
Can any one tell how this senti-
ment Is to be reconciled with the
republican-led fight against the de-
velOpment OF a merchant marine by
the sale Of shipping board tonnage
20 private eorporations7
81 think we must not DO afraid OF en-
couraging good business; never mind
how big 1t is. There is a curlously false
doctrine drifting about that all big
business IS bad business. The world is
going 70 organize both IN capital and Ia
Dor, and IN business. and no business
IS too big 10 merit encouragement II it
is business which Is helpful to the
people, and no business Is a. small to
merit condemnation and coTsWol II It is
a bad business. II is not the size Of the
business that counts. It is the character
Of IT."
How, general are you going to
reconcile this statement with the
criticisms that your fellow repub-
ncaus are heaping on the Wilson ad-
ministration for It's refusal TO prose-
cute big business concerns merely
because they are big1
we want to extend our good business
and IN order to DO that one OF the most
powerful influences viii he TO spread the
war debt over a much larger period of
years. The excess profit tax and the
other war taxes have rather strnngIe-
hold on the throat OF business and
too many big estates are becoming slack
er estates."
Are we TO understand then. general.
that you approve OF the proposal Of
william Gibbs Mckdoo a democrat.
that the war debt ba spread over a
period Of years, and are not IN accord
with Representative Moudel repub-
lican floor leader. in hts assertion
that such a course means a panic7