Bisbee daily review., 1920-04-04
By R. N. Hickey


 WASHINGTON, April 3.-In re- cent trip across the country from coast to coast, took advantage of every op- portunity to try to find out what the men and women were thinking and saying about the state of the nation generally and about the presidential situation in particular.
 Obviously the number of people with whom one can talk personally in few weeks time is such an infinitestimal fraction of the whole people that un' less this small number is in pretty thorough accord it would be foolish to attempt to draw general conclusions.
 But I do find them in pretty thor ough accord and I also found that al- most without exception, they were tremendously interested in the poiiti- cal economics and social problems pre- cipitated by the war
 The sentiment seemed to be almost if not quite unanimous that the politi- clans of both parties were putting their own selfish interests and those of their parties ahead Of the interests of the nation and that they would con tinue to do so unless and until the great mass of citizens outside the pro- fessional political class could find a way to unseat them.
 The failure of the executive and the senate to compromise their difference 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 ill Wash ington in both parties were thinking too much of the effect of their action on the coming presidential campaign and too little of the effect on the daily lives of the men and women of the country.
 l should say that political partisan khip which for so many years past has Ns party advantage and personal in- terest of politicians above national in- terest is at about the lowest point in popular esteem that it has ever reach ed.
 The fact that during the year and half that has elapsed since the armis- tice was signed the politicians in Washington in both executive and legislative branches have been dawd- ling and marking time instead of mak- ing a serious effort to solve some of the many problems which face the country, has disgusted and embittered the people. At least that is the very distinct impression that brought back with me-
 Without a doubt some of the criti- cisms were unfair because net based on accurate knowledge. But am qulre sure that anyone who has had close up view of our Washington govern ment in action, or rather in inactiop, during this period will agree that py and large this judgment is just and the indictment not too severe.
 Everyone with whom l talked com plained of tho high cost of living and about nine out of ten charged most of it to interruptions profiteering which had been permitted to continue be- cause of the incompetence or unwill- ingness of politicians in Washington to formulate and pass the legislation ne cessary to curb it.
 Now and then talked to a man or woman who thought that disturbed world conditions and inflated currency 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 cerns in all lines of business and that they were continuing to pile them up was emphasized again and again and figures quoted 10 prove the fact
 Strangely enough. the excess protita tax, the purpose of which when 1t