Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-20
IMPROVEMENT OF
CONDITIONS IN j. S.
SEEN BY LAWRENCE
Bonus Legislation Probably
Will Be Vetoed by Presi-
dent, If Successful in Con-
gress, He Says
Copyright, 1920, for The Atlanta Journal.)
By DAVID LAWRENCE


WASHINGTON, April 1s.-Eco-
nomic conditions in the United States
including the whole range OF fac
tors from the high cost OF living to
the unrest in the ranks Of labor and
the tremendous financial burdens left
by the war are showing dtstin It
tendency toward improvement. They
are not changing rapidly, but such
changes as have been noted are for
the better.
This in SUBSTANCE is the underly
ing thought Of the responses that
have been given the writer in the
inquiry just completed among ON
cials Of different branches Of the
government as to the business out
look in the United States. The rail-
way strike served to crystalline op1n-
ion. There seems unanimous agree
nent that while mischievous persons
have taken advantage of labor trou-
bles to interject their own ambitions
and doctrines, the outlaw strike was
but another manifestation Of the eco
nomic troubles brought by the war.
Searching beneath the surface, con-
servative and thoughtful mon IN the
government find much that ails
.America-all sorts Of ills that fol-
low in the wake of war. And where
political promise and partisan de-
tense is not involved but the view
point is broad, there is an admis-
sion that time alone can bring re-
lief-that an immediate readjustment
cannot be expected. America, as one
member of the cabinet expressed 1t,
thought the price Of human liberty
was worth paying and she Is now
suffering the pain and feeling the
effects Of her sacrifices in the war.
Respect for Facts
Both in congress and in the execu-
tive branch of the government, there
is a recognition of and respect Tor
facts. Congress is wrestling in va1E
with heavy governmental expendl',
lures, some sof them inherited from
the war and some Of them too deli
cate to be cut out because OF the
fears Of political disaster that may
attend the party that performs the
surgical operation.
All sides seem to be agreed that
the United States is carrying a
heavy burden of financial credits and
that to strain the load with a bonus
to the ex-soldiers would be to impose
a weight that might bring q crash
in the status Of our credits. but, on
the other hand, the votes of the SOL
= M ier0n hxyn
many members of congress.
Therefore, the treasury department
is watching, almost with Dated
breath, to see what congress will do
An, it goes without saying that
President Wilson himself probably
will veto the measure il congress
doesn't see fit to kill it. For of one
thing the public may rest assured
the financial situation Of the United
States has given folks at the execu-
tive end of the avenue in Washing
to many worrisome days and sleep
less nights.
If the truth be known, the Repub-
lican leaders of congress and the
Democratic members of the executive
departments have been working more
closely in harmony on this phase of
government than anything else this
political year. They can't help 1t.
y ither side wants the responsibility
for the prolongation of irksome con-
ditions. Each side would like to re-
duce taxes. but knows it can't be doue
this year, possibly not next year
Certainly if the soldier bonus goes
through. the prospect is considered
even more remote for a relief from
taxation. 81
Don't Like Bonus -7ea.
After having struggled hard to re-
duce the G government by a
billion dollars, men like Republican
| Leader Mondell don't fancy the idea
of putting out another billion dollars
| in credit obligations to the ex-sol-
diers.
But while government economy is
advocated in order that expenditures
may be still further reduced, the
pressure from the various parts OF
the country affected by diminished
appropriations is so strong that men
| in the government hardly know
where to begin lest they be enveloped
| in a whirlpool Of political currents
that will sweep them out of office.
Perhaps the most common thought
that one finds throughout the gov
eminent, and especially in the treas
ury department, is one Of criticism
| Of the American people for their I'M
| limited expenditures on luxuries.
Extravaganza is the handspring Of
the high cost of living. Profiteering
is condemned but conservative minds
| do not attribute all Americas woes
to profiteers. Prosecution is always
urged but Is considered futile with
out the cooperation of the purchas-
ing individual, who must refrain
from buying from profteers. Signs
of economy and thrift are beginning,
however, to appear.
Peak in Prices Reached
! Broadly speaking. it Is felt here,
that the peak in prices has been
reached and that the tendency of
the average American to refuse to
pay the prices being asked Of him
| is the first and necessary step in the
mental process that makes economy.
Any one who buys a suit of clothes.
| a pair of shoes, or any other item OF
apparel or builds a house or motors
a single mile that isn't absolutely
up the high cost of living. That S
one principle which is being empha-
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