Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-03-29
PARTY FIRST idea
DISCUSTS PEOPLE.
OF WHOLE NATION
Hickey In Long Trip
Finds Great Hoover
Sentiment
BY H N. RICKEY,
N. E. A. Staff Correspondent.

recent "trip across the country from
coast to coast, took advantage of
every opportunity to try to find out
what the men and women were think
ing and saying about the state of the
nation generally and about the pres
idential situation in particular.
Obviously the number of people
with whom one can talk personally in
few weeks time is such an infinitesi-
NAL fraction of the whole people that
unless this small number is in pretty
thorough accord it would be foolish
to attempt to draw general conclu-
sions.
But did find them in pretty thor
ough accord and | also found that,
almost without exception, they were
tremendously interested in the politi-
cal economics and social problems
precipitated by the war.
The sentiment seemed to be almost
if not quite unanimous that the poll
ticians of both parties were putting
their own selfish interests and those
of their parties ahead of the interest
of the nation and that they would
continue to do so unless and until
the great mass of citizens outside
the professional political class could
find way to unseat them.
Party First" at Low Ebb.
The failure of the executive and
the senate to compromise their diff
ference as to the peace treaty was
referred to time after time. In this
connection the feeling seemed to be
quite general that this failure was
due in large measure to the fact that
the big wigs in Washington in both
parties were thinking too much OF
the effect of their action on the conn
ing presidential campaign and too
little of the effect on the daily lives
of the men and women Of the coun-
try.
1 should say that political partisan
ship which for so many years past
has put party advantage and person.
al interest of politicians above nation
al interest is at about the lowest
point in popular esteem that it has
ever reached.
The fact that during the year and
a half that has elapsed since the ar
mistice was signed the politicians IN
Washington in both executive and
legislative branches have been daw-
ding and marking time instead OF
making a serious effort to solve some
of the many problems which face the
country, has disgusted and emblttef-
ed the people. At least that is the
very distinct impression that L
brought back with me.
Without a doubt some of the crit
icisms were unfair because not based
on accurate knowledge. But l am
quite sure that anyone who has had
a closeup view of our Washington
government in action, or rather IN
inaction, during this period will
agree that by and large this judg-
ment is lust and the Indictment not
too severe.
Complain of Profteering.
Everyone with whom | talked COM
blamed of the high cost of living and
about nine. out of ten charged most
of it to unscrupulous protiteerlng
which had been permitted to continue
because of the incompetence or un-
willingness of politicians IN WASH
ington to formulate and pass the leg
isiation necessary to curb 1t.
Now and then l talked to. a man or
woman who thought that disturbed
world conditions and inflated curren-
cv were to be chargeable with some
of the high cost of living.
But the fact that during the war
billions of dollars of surplus wealth
were piled up by big business con
Germs in all lines of business and that
thev were continuing to pile them up
was emphasized again and again and
figures quoted to prove the fact.
Strange enough, the excess prohts
tax. the purpose of which when IL
was enacted into law was supposed to
he to transfer inordinate war and
nost-war profits into the public treas
nrv has few if any friends among
those for whose benefit 1t was ar
ranged.
opposite to what was intended and
that it has proved to be perfect tool
for those who benefit by hig IN prices
tn continue and increase their gouge
of those who finally purchase goods
FOR consumption is one of the impor-
tant facts which seems to have got
Ten home to the people in all sections
of the country.
Feel Wilson Is Through.
While there is universal sympathy
for President Wilson because of his
illness, assuming that those people
with whom | came in contact are at
all typical, there is also widespread
feeling that during his illness the, gov
ernment at Washington didn't func-
tion and that there is little hope for
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