Milford chronicle., 1920-12-10
MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP

Washington, Dec. 10-Urging rejec-
tion of all pending and future FEEDER
al appointments by President Wilson
the Republican Publicity Association
in a statement issued through the
president of that organization, Hon.
Jonathan Bourne, Jr., says:
Almost incredible waste and ex-
travagance marked the training.
I equiping, and maintaining of our ar
my in France. 1t all took place un-
der the eye of the Secretary of War
Baker and other appointees of Pres
ident Wilson. The unspeakable mess
in the Shipping Board occurred un-
der the supervision of men whom Mr..
Wilson had selected to look after the
interests of our merchant marine. The
impotence of the Department of JUS
tiee to bring relief to a country suf-
fering from profiteering, radicalism,
and open defiance of law is notorious.
Again, Mr.. Wilson's appointees must
be held responsible. The list might be
heightened to include other costly
burdens that the people have been
compelled to endure because of the
men whom Mr.. Wilson placed in re-
sponsible positions and kept there af-
ter their incompetency had been prov
en-.
Gross mismanagement of public
trusts by Wilson appointees was one
of the principal causes that rolled up
the huge majorities against Wilson
ism on November End. An explicit
command came from the people to put
new men in charge of affairs at Wash
ington, whose concern for the public
welfare would be paramount. A man
was elected to the Presidency, who, !
the voters believed, would make ap-
pointments of that character.
''The Senate has before it thous- |
ands of so-called recess appoint
ments made by the President-ap- |
pointments to vacancies occurring |
since the adjournment of the last |
session on June 5th Under the Con-
stitution, all the civil appointees in
that long list automatically go out of 4
office at the close of Congress on
March 4th unless they receive the con-
of the Senate before that T
late. Included in the list are several
lew members of the Shipping Board.
The country has no reason to believe
hat they are of a higher character
han those other selections of Mr.
Wilson under enormous wastes were
)erpetrated. 1t is announced by Mr..
that the President has offer
I'd him the chief justiceship of the
Jourt of Customs Appeals, life job
It $4,000 year. What his qualifica-
ions are for the position are not
manifest. Fifteen thousand promo
ions have been made by the/Presi-
lent among the officers of the Regu-
ar Army. 1t is openely charged that
avoritism is apparent in many of the
selections.
Now, what is the lesson to be
earned from all this? Would not
he United States Senate be grossly
'ecreant to the mandate of the people
It the polls if it permits those Will
ION appointees to be confirmed? The
country has decreed that on March
tn wisconsin shall end, and is it not
he plain duty of the Senate to make
hat decree reality? If those ap-
continents are confirmed it will mean
hat the baleful influence of Wilson
SIN will be continued through a per-
cd of several years. President Hard
ng would enter upon his administra-
ion with handicap that he could ..
lever shake off. He would be forced
o deal through agencies established
y his predecessor, owing no allegi-
nee to him, and whose treachery
night at any moment bring disaster
o his policies.
'The long list of Army promotions ,
re hardly less important than the
wilson civil appointments. The Off
ers in high command have it in their
over bring SUCCESS failure 10 {
military program for which the Re-
ublican party is responsible. Every ,
ian promoted should first receive the
of President Harding, J
tho is to be the Chief
the Army for the next four years.
lie will be denied the right of passing
pom his subordinates if the selections !
-hich President Wilson has made
hall receive the approval of the Sem
te."