The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-04-23
The Augean Stables.

4uc AuScdu oCdDleS.
Herbert w. Hoover has dropped
to the level of the ordinary profes
sional politician. He scared for g
while above the two big parties
Then he began to capitulate, ant
finally he accepted the overtures
from the Republican sources which
seemed to have more funds and an
organization with better prospects
He is now regarded as the common
run and the woods are full of them
There is something radically
wrong with a government whose
bonds are gradually declining in
time of peace. There Is something
still more dangerous when that gov
eminent has not. had a war of Its
own for fifty years. 1t is our opinion
that Uncle Sans interests are in the
hands of incapable managers. AS
well face the facts and say that the
people of the United States are in
the grip of politicians and are being
bled, not systematically. but method
ically-and relentlessly.
The big interests proceeded dur
ing the war to be humble and pa
triotic. They joined in the song
that it was not a rich mans war.
But there was rage within when
they paid their taxes, and they laid
low until the bans were lifted. And
now they are striking, like fury,
right and Left, to get their money
back. The people are paying it ev-
cry day, paying it in thirty-cent
sugar, paying it in fifteen-dollar
flour, paying it in every conceivable
way.
How many of us swallowed with
out protest the propaganda that
1t was war for democracy? How
can you blame the laboring man for
refusing to be crushed? How is the
farmer faring?
These big industries are now play
ing an open hand. They hold four
aces. They have since the war made
laron'S profits. Their bitterness
against the war-tax system was not
suaged with simply return of these
taxes, but they are collecting tribute
from the people in millions. Indus
trial profits, Notwithstanding in
creased wage scales, are running in
to millions and billions. Dividends
are piling up-100 to 1000 per cent
annually. This is not on the capital
stock, says one of our friends, but
on the investment. One-fourth of
these dividends would be enormous.
Is the capital stock not equal to one
fourth of the investment? There
were some years ago many watered
stocks. Has the water all soaked
out and the stock now grown to
such enormous proportions?
We started out, however, to talk
about Encouragement of govern
ment. Politicians have taken the
bride off to try to keep pace with
the profiteers. Congress has been
appropriating money right and left.
1t is not enough that big industries
have been collecting tribute. Con-
gress has been laying it and laying
with reckless hand. Members have
become Indifferent, and what with
the profits the people have been pay
ing, their taxes are increasing to
meet the demands of Congress.
But this condition is not the sum-
ma summarnm. Those patriots and
there are many of them, who bought
Liberty Bonds are forced to watch
the gradual decline of these securi-
ties.
After all, what of the farmer?
Whose condition is worse than his?
Big industry is raking in its wealth.
Congress is living in reckless waste.
Labor is exacting unprecedented
wages. Has the farmer no equity?
The farmer of the United States
has never looked with favor on mo-
nopoly. Therefore the farmers have
never organized. Some day they |
will retaliate, and If they ever do
:ome together with a solid organi-
,atipn there will be another story
o tell.
If Congress wants to set an ex-
lmple there is q sensible way to do