Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-07

taxable securities. This will cease if tho
changes suggested are made.
In the analysis Of government, as
the events Of today enable us to pene-
trate the subject. we see the difference
between the old and the progressive kinds
of thinking. The belief of the reac
tiohurics is that government should not
function more widely than it did in the
past. but they seem to forget that the
fundamental of our plan is equal rights
for all and special privileges for none.
Modern life has developed new prob
lens. Civilization continues 10 build
along the same basic lines, and altruistic
as we may all be disposed to be, the
fact remains that except for the ex-
change of products between individuals,
commercial units and nations. our de-
velopment would be slow. All of this
growth goes on under the protection of
and with the encouragement of govern
ment
The least. therefore. that might be
rendered unto government for this con.
tinuous service is policy of fair
dealing. Too often the genius of man
prompts him to play for governmental
advantage, and the success which has
been achieved in this particular has
led to the formation of groups which
u
busy people, preoccupied in too large
degree with purely commercial consid
crations. and we have not recognized
as we should that the failure of govern
mcnt to prevent inequalities has made it
possible for mischievous spirits to de-
velop prejudice against the institutions
of government. rather than against ad-
ministrative policy.
, Tribe of Profiteers Augmented
There is very important difference
here. This difference bears directly on
protitecring. which is today the most
sinister influence in American life. 1t
, is not a new thing in America. The
tribe of prohteers has simply multiplied
under the favoring circumstances of
war. For years large contributions
, have been made to the Republican cam
, paign fund for no purpose EXCEPT to buy
, governmental underhold. and to make
, Illegal profits as the result of prefer
| ence. Such largesses are today greater
menace to our contentment and our in =
, stitutions than the countless temporary
, profitecrs who are making mockpry
of honest business. but who can live
and fatten only in time of disturbed
prices. If | am called to service as
President means will be found, if they
do not already exist. for compelling
these executions to the great mass OF
square dealing American business men.
+ to use TIE same yardstick Nof honesty
| that governs most of us in our dealings
with our fellow men. or in language that
they may understand, to suffer the pen
atty of criminal law.
[ There is another reason for the fab
ulous contributions to the present Re
. publican campaign fund. Much money
q nf hnG hSr nil hnI IN.
\ partisan zeal. but the great bulk has
been given with the definite idea OF
gaining service in return. Many cap
tains of industry. guided by most dan
/ gerous industrial philosophy, believe
O that in controversy between employer
: and employc their will should be en-
o forced even at the point of the bayonet
0 I speak knowingly. I have passed
!, through many serious industrial trou.
|. bles. I know something of their psy
n chology. the stages through which the,
: pass, and the dangerous attempts thai
S are sometimes made to end them. Dis
e putes between labor and capital are in
t evitable The disposition to gain thu
= best bargain possible charactcrizes thu
i whole field of exchange. whether it b,
f product for product. or labor for money
y II strikes are prolonged public opinion
always settles them. Public opinion
should determine results in America
g Public opinion is the most interestin!
ii characteristic of n democracy. and it il
o the real safety valve to the institution
/, Of free government. It may. at times
n be necessary for government to inquir
% into the facts of up. but facts ant
not conclusions should be submitted
II The determining form of unprcjudicpt
II thought will-dO the rest. During thi
process governmental agencies must Civ
~ n vigilant eye to the protection of lif
- and property. and maintain firmneSs
but absolute impartiality. This is al
y ways the real test but if official cOnHuc
% combines courage and fairness, our gov
ernmental institutions come ont o
Al these affairs untarnishcd by distrust
y Aliens Fomenting Unrest
r. This is not nm academic observation
ls It is the mere recital of experience. In
1t rest has been re Denforced in no sma
'r degree by the great mass OF unassim
Is Hated aliens. Attracted by an unprec
al cdented demand for labor. they hav
10 come to our shores by the thousands
l. Az they have become acquainted wit
}, the customs and opportunities, of Amer
sc lean life thousands of them have be
come citiZens-and are owners of thei
rs own homes. However. the work of as
~ similation too long was merely auto
" matte. One million six hundred thou
sand foreign born in this country can
tte not read or write our language. OF
10 interest in them in the main has bee
~ ~ simply as laborers. assembled IN II
iS great trade centers to meet the deman
~ of the hour. Without home or com
ad munity ties. many have been more {
oa less nomadic, creating the problem {
- excessive turnover, which has perplexc
ho manufacturing plants.
But this has not been the worst phas
co Of the situation. Unfamiliar with iav
ot having no understanding of the prin
p. ciples of our government, they ha,
nr fallen an easy prey to unpatriotc an
re designing persons. Public opinion hl
he had no influence upon them, bccaus
by they have been isolated from the cur
es rents of opinion, all due to turir n,
nm being able to read or write our Ian
Of guage. 1t is the. duty of the federi
n. government to stimulate the work
sa1t.. .&1