Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-30
UNWORKABLE.

Mr.. Bryan's treaty resolutlon Calls
for the ratification of the peace treaty
with such resolutions as may be ap-
proved by a majority of the senate
That is a flat contradiction Of the
presidents demand for ratification
without reservations that mean any
thing. For the Democratic convention
to adopt that declaration would be
for it to repudiate President Wilson
and the one great policy to which he
stands definitely committed. Aside
from this, and the declaration for
a by a majority vote, which in
wolves more than it states in words,
there are two features of the two res
olutions, on the treaty and on prof
iteering, which are SO plausible that
they are certain to receive consider
able support. and so Impractical that
legislation along the lines suggested
would lead to still further confusion.
Mr.. Bryan demands hat when the
United States joins the League Of
HSdl1UIS LIE fAIlSI IOdA ASpLCOS1C0
tives in thai body shall be elected di-
rectly by the people. That is a dis
tinctively Bryanesque policy. 1t is
in line with the general policy of the
popular election of everybody and the
popular decision OF everything. 1t
is a policy which may be employed
with success in the government of a
township. but no great nation can
employ it without i1npairing it's own
efficiency and injurins the interests
of its own people.
There is no more reason why we
should elect our representative to the
governing body OF the League of Ma
lions than hal we should elect our
ambassadors, Jul attorney general and
our secretary of state. Some of these
officers are elected in most of the
states. n there have been demands
that the general elective plan be ex-
tended to the national government.
The result would be an exaggeration
of what is often found in the states,
an administration composed OF men
who are independent of, and otter
~antagonistic toward each other, with
policies as contradictory as their own
opinions, with no n possessing real
authority, and with responsibility i'm
possible to fix.
When we get to sending represen-
tatives to Geneva, those men should
be appointed by the president and
confirmed by the senate. If we can.
not trust the men whom we have
been IN the habit of placing in those
positions of great responsibility, we
should bestir ourselves and choose
men whom we can trust.
On the matter of profiteering Mr.
Bryan proposes the Limitation O,
profits by law. somewhat as interes,
rates are now limited. He uses in,
terest rates for the purpose of illus.
tration. The comparison is not ar
appropriate one. The limitation n,
interest rates does tend in some o. se.
TO prevent extortion, although its in.
fluence IN this direction is often over.
estimated. But money differs from
every other commodity in that it if
always in demand. can always BIZ
loaned at some rate Of interest, and
always be exchanged for any othe,
commodity hat is on the market
The demand for the ordinary articles
OF ~f1uctuates so greatly
ana prices are SO constantly varyin,
IN response to conditions over whtct
me have no control, that it is i'm
possible to fix in advance any genera.
standard Of profits on any commodit,
which will be just to all persons in:
terested.
The only feasible way to treat n.
price question is to ernov from IN.
fdnstry and commerce the restriction.
which impede their free operation
Is puniAh . of manifest extort;or
when they are discovered, and com.
petition viii maintain prices at ahou,
the right level.