Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-17

| tries going at top speed, and in the
prompt movement of munitions, foods
and supplies, indispensable to the United
| States and the allies, did more toward
! ending the war quickly than any oGEer
| single factor except finance. Today our
| national life is in a fresh strategic posi-
ton, but as critical a one as ever, and
the railroads are as important as ever
| they were In wartime. We can not af-
ford to consider this circulation system
of our country solely as the private in
terest Of individuals; 1t must be run N
such way as to meet the highest needs
OF the national life"
McAdoo, as he spoke, was the typical
/ bred in the bone American. without
swank and certainly unpossessed by any
idea OF trying to produce an effect OF
omniscence, Of knoU-lt-alf lie was sim
ply eager to tell his eountrymen things
he thinks they ought to know and take
/ quick action upon. He turned to tue sub
ject Of industrial unrest.
Much Of this, / think" he said, 'is
the result Of the unsettled state of the
country due to tho postponement of
| peace. But I do think" he added, that
/ the problem Of labor and capital IS one
/ of the major problems before America
today and that it must he dealt with,
and soon, and in a spirit of fine tolerance.
not intolerance on the part OF any one.
Labor feels and feels increasingly. the
need for a larger voice in framing the
/ conditions under which 1. is TO work
1 as we'll as the need for a fairer partici-
| patton in the fruits of industry. In other
words we are face to face, as a nation,
| with the necessity Of solving the problem
/ or real industrial democracy.
PROTECTION FOR
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
/ 1T is not easy, but It can he done
The genius OF America developed under
democratic instirtions ana democratic
ideals is capable OF bringing about event
ually this great adjustment between cap
itai and labor which modern life makes
absolutely indispensable TO human vel
fare. And while am saying this wish
also to say shat the protection and de-
velopment of business in this country is
Just as vital a part OF our welfare as any
other feature Of modern society. Business
must have free tom from unsound and
uneconomic law. We can not permit our
selves 20 be swept of our feet bv certain
abuses growing out OF transient condt-
TONS imposed by the war and led into
wild, reckless legislation or oppressive
and unwisely restrictive character which
will lnjure business halt enterprise and
arrest our prosperity.
These questions must be deals With I'm
the broad and liberal spirit Or bIgbI,
y!sioncd statesmanship. As part Of our
problem oppressive war taxes must b.
reduced. as Z believe they can be reduced
the congress displays the proper wis
dom. The war taxes are In any case
unwlsely and incQuItablv distributed
With proper Statesmansblp our tax law
could be- revised so that they would bear
less GENEROUSLY and hurtfulIy upon bust
ness and the people as a whole. by
more cquitabiy distribution OF tho bur
den. This needs 70 be studied not IN
partisan spirit. but in q fine spirit Of
genuine service 60 tho American peanfs
The responsibility Of revising those tax
laws rests upon the republican congress
and <hcy must not sh.rk H."
NO MEDALS FOR
THIS AMERICAN.
Which brings me logically 10 piece
or unWritteu history concerning Tho
plain Amerleanism 81 William Gibbs Nc
Adoo. Recently one Of the creates, %
the allied nations proTered to NcAdoo
a decoration I'm honor Of his work dur.
ins TIE war and no just naturally 70
fused g., quietly but ne effectively as ~
be had advertised his rers1I Then
latter was written 20 him. pressing Fl On
h.m. and he replied. The records show
The answer.
II an deeply grateful for This
mark OF distinction. which IL am
sure. recognition far exceeding arv
merit which / might Justly claim.
anG IL is, Therefore. with enhanced ro-
gre. that 7 ind myself unable 10 me-.
cep T.
"rhe constitution OF tho Emitted
States provides that 40 title ~
nobility shall 30 granted by the
United States. and no persons hold.
ing any office Of nroat or trnst md