davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Sane Enforcement of
Prohibition Suggested
Reorganization of Diplomatic
Service Also Declared To
Be Essential

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: An idea seems to be prevalent
that the Republican party should put
plank in it's platform against pro-
hibition. Prohibition is now part of
the Constitution of the United States,
and the only way to oppose prohibition
ls to put the party in opposition to the
supreme law Of the land. If anything
is to go into the platform touching pro-
hibition let it be plank advocating
q sane but vigorous enforcement of the
Eighteenth Amendment.
One thing which might be we'll ad-
vocated is a thorough revision of the
diplomatic service. Owing to the pres
sure exercised by commercial interests
the consular service has, of late years,
been made more effective, but the fact
still remains that ambassadors and
ministers are chosen with more regard
to political complexion than capability.
The inadequate salaries attached to
these positions make it impossible for
men of limited private means to main
tain themselves in accordance with
their rank.
> Secretary Lansing speaks truly when
he says the war has shown us the in
adequacy of our foreign policy. A care
full revision of that policy should be
made and the personnel Of the diplo-
matte service be raised in character.
JOHN F. v. WILLMOTT.
Delta Tau Delta House, Amherst, Mass.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Enough of Vacillation;
Be Firm, Is Injunction
Immediate Action in Mexico,
With No More Trifling, This
Writer'S Appeal
10 the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: We have been fed with idealisms,
theories, fancies and phantasmagoria.
1t is time to return from the clouds of
speculation back to Mother Earth. We
need above all things just now a
ightforward, businesslike admins
tration.- The policy of vacillation, hesi-
tation, and then the plunge forward into
action without due consideration as to
where such action will land us, has
brought our country into a critical con-
dition.
Mexico deserves consideration. The
problem calls for immediate action. Our
present alf-hearted policy means loss
of self-respect, contempt of the Mexi-
cans and justihable complaint from
England. We refuse to let England
protect the interests Of her people in
Mexico, because of the Monroe Doetrine,
and at the same time we refuse to
protect them. BY all means uphold the
Monroe Doctrine. But there should be
no further trifling with the Mexican
problem.
The league of nations and the peace
treaty are not perfect. 1t would seem,
however, that the present differences
of opinion regarding the various ella lse
might be made in a spirit of harmony
and mutual cooperation rather than be
retarded by the acrimonious disputes
now going on. The ugly spirit of par
tisanship again is responsible.
JAMES W. JOHNSON
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Too Many Issues
Decried, Big Men
Party's Chief Need
An Elastic Republicanism
Advocated to Solve the
Tremendous Problems of
Next 4 Years i'm America
the Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Men of big capacity are what we
need rather than heavy planked plat
form for the Republican party of 1920
to 1924.
Will they rally to the active working
force of the party? Are the really able
men ready to make the sacrifice?
The Republican party must now an
ticipate what the people want--a party
of the people for the people. Is the
party broad enough to amalgamate the
wants and requirements Of our three
large classes-the rich, the middle class
and the poor? If they can, success is
theirs. If not, any platform will have
been in vain.
We are facing four years of tre-
mendous change and development, and
the Republican platform must be elastic
enough to permit of carrying out the
things that are best for all the people,
as they come up.
More than ever in the history of the
country we need the big, honest, un-
selfish men of the Washington, Lincoln
and Roosevelt type, who had few faults
and large virtues, to guide the ship of
state through the storms of the next
four years.
Our Republican platform should be a
platform of the big men of the country,
whom the people can trust.
WILLIAM J. BALDWIN JR.
1112 Dean Street, Brooklyn
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Planks Based
On Practical
Ideas Favored
Platform Built Along Lines
That Will Meet Needs of
New Era i'm America Is Ad-
vocated for Republicans
Labor as the Chief Issue
Housing Problem and Regu-
lation of Supply and De-
mand Also Put Forward

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: No nation, no matter how small
q part Of it has taken in this world
wide conflagration is without the nu-
merous problems that follow in the
wake of war. A war such as this
has advanced the progress of evolu-
tion fully one hundred years and has
caught US unawares and inadequately
prepared to handle the situations as
they arise.
On the eve Of new administration
comes chance for the people to speak
their thoughts. Ideas long ago rele-
gated to the scrapheap have been
brought to the forefront and new
phases Of old ideas are cropping up
daily. The fact to be borne in mind
definite practicable ideas that will fit
the needs of a new era.
The present-day social unrest is the
direct result of inattention on the
part of our government to the first
needs of a people in the trying period
of readjustment. What we need most
is legislation that will regulate sup
ply and demand, distribution of pro-
duction, adequate housing facilities
ana our laDOr SlCuaClOn. IhlS last IS
our chief concern.
To quote ouu President, labor during
the periodof the war twas riding in the
saddle" Appeal after appeal went out
from our President for the coopera-
tion of the. workingmen in war in
dustries-the men behind the guns
we're made to feel their power. Is it
any wonder, then, that, realizing their
strength, they strike out on the
slightest pretext for anything they
want?
Granted the proper planks and
platform, the next important thing is
to have men with strength and vision
to interpret them in the best interests
of all parties concerned We want
progressive men without prejudice and
antagonism who can meet both capital
and labor on their own ground in
the settlement of controversies.
In short, we want a sound industrial
policy that will be constructive in
bringing together capital and labor to
discuss their grievances before the
public at large is made to suffer
through the arbitrariness of either
side-one that will satisfy the instincts
of fair play and cooperation on both
sides. The Democrats have been un-
successful in their efforts; what will
the Republicans do if elected?
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Collective Bargaining
Called Industrial Evil
Trades Begging for Enthusiasm
of Youth and Steady Hand
of Veteran
10 the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Assuming that an exchange Of
views may be mutually illuminating
to both the public and the candidates
/ wish to place myself on record as
opposed to the doctrine of collective
bargaining. Such bargaining already
has had its trial and the result is
hardly conducive to further tolerance
oy the public. Wages. have been in
creased, it is true, but in such unjust
proportion that trades that formerly
promoted the output of artisans alb
solutely essential to furtherance Of
Americas participation in the field of
competitive industry now go begging
Tor the enthusiasm of youth and the
steady hand of the veteran.
So long as the theory of the survival
OF the fittest is accepted by all con-
cerned, and due consideration given to
1he fact that all industry represented
ny capital and labor alike observe as
sacred the prerogative of individual
reasoning, and if needs be, blunderinr,
we will be courting Industrial ruin by
encouraging the labor faction to deal
with capital when its mission is evil
IDENTIFY to inform the other side how
to conduct the others affairs and vics
versa. 'N WV
oco j. r. FARLEY.
1863 Ridgefeld Avenue, BRIDGEPORT.
Conn pN@
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Conservation
BY Fixed Policy
Seen as Need
Business Administration of
the Country's Resources
Under q Flexible Act Is
Advanced as Solution
Budget System Provided
Constructive Program Put
Before Republican Party
as an Issue in Campaign

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Natural resources are Of three
kinds: Seif-renewing, water; renew
able through attention, as forests and
soil fertility; not renewable, as coal,
oil, gas and phosphates. The last are
conserved by saving and by substitu-
ton of other forces.
The first two relate to the conserve
tion and utilization of the rainfall, and
the essential need of the nation is for
= fixed policy under continuous busi-
ness administration.
Such business administration should
be under constructive, flexible act
adapted to meet the differing condi-
ticns in the wet and dry sections Of
the nation. The essential points for
consideration are: The natural re-
sources of the nation; income and
apportionment Of expenditures; con-
tinuity of plan and Of administration;
plan and estimate of cost Of each COM
plete project; details and order of de-
velopment.
Just what proportion of the income
OF the United States can be applied for
hetterments, after the necessary ad-
mlnlstrative expenses of the nation,
the state and the subdivisions thereof
have been provided for under a budget
system carefully worked out, is ito be
determined. These betterments should
be developed for the country as a
whole.
Such policy must be so worked out
as to appeal to the people and to be
part Of the constructive program of
the future. The various uses Of water
for power, transportation, irrigation
and potable supply-must.. be under
stood and correlated.
The greatest asset of the country is
the rainfall, which varies in the humid,
arid and semi-arid states, and the
problem of each group is different.
Heretofore confusion incident to con-
centration of interest in each detail
Of conservation by the group promot-
ing that detail has nullified real prog
ress, and until the whole scheme is
directed by controlling body which
shall see each part related to the
whole, in logical and economic order,
progress will be delayed.
In the broad outlook for the future
thought must be constructive, not crit
ical. CHARLES W. CHADWICK,
Commissioner Board of Water Supply,
City of New York
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Man No Longer
HsOWn Master

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Before the war a mans
business house was his castle.
So long as he acted fairly and
honestly he was master of his
own affairs, and if he had to
pay duties and revenue taxes
he knew how to do it. To-day
the only free men in this coun-
try are the men who earn lit
tie and have nothing.
The Industrious, provident,
honest citizen, who should be
the backbone Of our republic,
is now regarded askance, criti-
cized and investigated as if he
His personal affairs are no
were guilty of many crimes.
longer ihs own.
His thrift is a cause for sus-
picion, his energy may be called
profteering, his conservatism
in making annual statements
may be called fraud. Instead
Of feeling proud, he feels in
clined to blush for his success.
II is time that we return to
old-fashioned ideas Of freedom
snd honesty. N. /. B.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Profit Sharing in I.
Industry Classed
AS National Need
Republican Party Urged to
Stand for System Like
That Used by Ford in
Running His Auto Planf

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: With the ever increasing rise in
the high cost of living, with the in.
satiable greed of the profiteer. with
the growing unrest among the masses,
all adding Goals to the raging fires of
Bolshevism, the Republican party, if
it is to gain the sincere respect and
love, materializing into the vote, of the
people must definitely and unmistak-
ably take firm stand for the amelio-
ration of the economic and social con-
ditions Of the nation.
Labor is uneasy-nay, surly. The SAL
aried man is merely existing. Heavy
taxes and the high cost of living op
press on all sides. Capital is in dis
repute, because of the greed of the
profiteering element Of its classic
the average man every capitalist is
profiteer. What is the Republican
party going to do about it?
This country needs the establishment
of lasting good will among all classes.
How can this be accomplished? One of
the answers to this question is by in
stituting a profit sharing system for all
employees.
Such system Henry Ford employs
In his plants. From latest reports he
continues to prosper greatly. in spite
OF shading prots with his employees;
prospers also in the good will and mu-
tual cooperation of his men.
Why not make this system universal
throughout the country: The Repub-
lican party has the opportunity Of gain
ing the great heart of the masses by
the genuine advocacy of such a meas
ure. Such a stand inevitably would
carry the G. o. P. into power.
With the creation of good will be-
tween the upper and lower crusts of
society, would not, per Sc, radical So
cialism, l. ". W.-ism and Bolshevism
collapse? The very fact that such de-
structive elements get hearing and
thrive show there must be something
wrong with the social structure of the
country.
This isn't socialism; it's common
sense. H. F. STANDEWICK JR.
Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Budget Alone
Cannot Make
OrderofChaos
Orderly Arrangement of the
Governments Business Is
Seen as Essential to the
Success of Any System
The Elimination of Waste
Nation Urged to Do With.
out Many Needed Things
in Interest of Economy

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There can be no more promis-
ing and practical principle to adopt in
the platform of political party than
that of immediate reorganization Of
Federal functions along efficient and
economical lines, cutting out the
wastes and Implications, eliminating
the overhead charges, and bringing to-
gether the agencies, now widely scat
tered, which do the same or similar
work under one control.
The budget system Of finance, in
which the people Of the country now
thoroughly believe and which is
shortly to be adopted, cannot be made
to produce the benefits which are pos
sible to it unless there is such a re-
arrangement.
A Federal budget is necessary in
strument of national providence, but a
budget alone cannot bring order out
OF present chaos. No one has been
able to compute how much money
might be saved by an orderly arrange
ment OF government business.
In the public works functions alone
it is not difficult to estimate with the
utmost conservatism that the same re-
suits now achieved could be secured
for 500, 100000 less than we are now
spending, and this is only the begin
ming.
The proposal to create a department
Of public works, being prompted as a
nonpartisan, public spirited under
taking by the National Public Works
Department Association, is but the first
step in the naturalization of govern
ment business conduct
The Secretary of the Treasury sent
to Congress estimates of appropria-
tions required for the service of the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1921.
amounting to $4,473, ,696, ,358.32, and this
was exclusive of sinking fund require
ments for 1920 and the postal service.
Looking over these estimates one
fails to find many objects of expendi-
ture that are not needed, or that we
would not like to have. Yet these es-
Inmates must be pruned. Even after
this is done our budget will be i'm
provident when our ability to pay is
considered.
American business has been SO sue
cessful and so profitable that it has
led the world. This success and pros
perity has been based in the first in
stance on efficient organization.
The government is not obliged to go
outside of its own borders for exam
Piles and precepts by which it may
make its own business conduct eco
nomical and efficient. 1t means sim
ply the adoption of the plain common
sense procedure which long since be-
came automatic in the conduct of pri
vate business.
NJ. 0. LEIGHTON.
McLachlen Building, Washington,
D. C..
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Agricultural Reform.

Recognizing the essential impor-
tance Of agriculture to the life Of the
nation, as we'll as the value of
sound rural life to the preservation
Of American ideals, we pledge our
selves to the formulation and op-
GRAFTON of comprehensive national
agricultural policy that will insure
to America an adequate supply Of
food, will tend to remove inequalities
in toll and reward between rural and
urban industry and will insure Amer
ican formers and their families q
proper material prosperity. together
with such educational and cultural
opportunities - will permit the de-
Of thsir abilities to the
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08

"HE TRIBUNE will make up>a .
platform of ten planks to be
determined by your votes.
Every plank submitted and every
letter advocating a plank will be
& counted as vote for the issue
The ten issues receiving the
most votes will be the planks Of
the final platform. The ten planks
that best express the chosen issues
will be selected by the judges for
the prize awards.
The Tribune believes in short
platforms. It limits each plank to
100 words. In judging between two
planks or letters Of equal merit
the shorter will be chosen.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
''Has Been'' Platform Futile
Party Must Face Problems of
To-day and the Future

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Republican platform
should be brief, definite, positive. CON
structive. Meaningless phrases and
brilliannt generalitie will not anwer.
Its chief aim must not be glorifca-
tion of what the party has been or has
accomplished, nor rehearsal of the fail
ures of the Democratic party. Tn
doubtedly we build upon the past. but
a platform that has chiefly to do with
the has beens" of either party will not
answer.
The platform must Took forward and
face the problems, the duties and the
responsibilities of to-day and the
future with Straightforward honesty
1t must be thoroughly American, and
ring clear and true toe the controlling
principles which have nodded the best
IN our national life. But it must recog-
nize also that the United States is not
the world; that we are part of large
whole, with which we are to live and
suffer, and for which we are in a
measure responsible.
In short, it must be a platform ade-
quate. to live by to-day, and good
enough, if need be, to fight and die for
tomorrow.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
ho Main Cfroot Gov
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08

initiate and vote upon individual
planks entirely disassociated from
men. If your plan could be carried
to- the point Of legal ballot upon
plsnks, whereby the voter could vote
forsor against any Of the propositions
that are before the people for decision,
we could build national peoples
platform that would stand as the
national. policy of the American peo-
pie for four years.
To. be sure, the same scheme could
be used in state and city elections.
After the people had decided their
policy, candidates who favor it could
offer themselves for election, or if two
elections be not considered advisable
candidates could be pledged in ad-
vance to execute the peoples will as
expressed in their platform to be
adopted.
If we will perfect our system of
representative government. the other
experiments now being tried ii sew
eral other parts of the world.y will
have no excuse for existence. 1t
must come some time, so more power
to your contest plan!
E. C. RIEGEL.
200 Fifth Avenue, New York.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Lincoln Quoted
On Majority Rule
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

o L0c EulLOT OL i ne xTiDune.
Sir: In these days of deportations
without trial and summary suspen.
sions of duly elected represents.
tives from legislative bodies, il
might be well to call to mind tb.
saying of the first Republican Presi.
dent:
"This country, with its institu.
tions, belongs to the people who in
habit it. Whenever they shall grow
weary Of the existing government
they can exercise their constitu-
tional right of amending it, or
their revolutionary right to dismem-
Der or overthrow it.
IF by mere force Of numbers a
majority should deprive a minority
of any clearly written constitutional
right, it might, in a moral point Of
view, justify revolution - certainly
would if such a right were a vital
one."-A. Lincoln (first inaugural
address). A. B. CLARK.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Protectorate in Mexico

b We desire peace with Mexico. Con-
ditions similar, however, which made
necessary our intervention in Cuba
ip~1898 now render it our unmis-
taxable duty to handle the Mex
lean situation in a positive manner
by force, if necessary-to establish
stable government in Mexico by
means Of temporary American ad-
ministrative protectorate. This we
owe, not. only to our own border pop
ulation and to resident Americans
and their Mexican interests, but also
to foreign vested interests, which,
rightfully, depend upon the United
States for that protection implied
in the Monroe Doctrine, and to the
greater body Of worthy, law-abiding
Mexican citizenry.-L. W. H., Brook
lyn.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Rights of Labor Defined

Solution Of many problems left by
the war lies in increased production.
10 further this end we encourage CO.
operation between labor and capital
that strikes may be prevented and
disputes settled. We recognize the
right OF labor to organize for COL
lective bargaining to fix a minimum
wage in each industry. We do not
recognize any right to force laborers
into such organizations against their
will, nor to fix maximum wages re-
gardless Of the ability of the ind
vidual.--Aretas A. Saunders, 2l Ed
lie Avenue, South Norwalk, Conn.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Ancient Doctrines Sound
ion Necessary to Win
Victory in Election

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The Internal Democratic ma
chine is all shattered. The fond ex-
pec.atlons entertained by its party
leaders have all gone astray. They
have learned that "peace and politics"
cannot go together, and that infringe
ment of American liberties never will
be tolerated by Americans. No legisla-
ton can be forced upon us that doesn't
at least guarantee to US that the gov
ernment propounded by Washinpton's
no entangling alliances" by the Mon
roe Doctrine and by Lincoln's govern
ment of the people, by the people and
this earth.
The Republican plank, therefore.
must take into consideration these an,
clent, and yet 80 modern, rights, in
order to secure a victory at the forth
coming elections.
SAMUEL HOROwITZ.
591 Dumont Avenue. BROOKLYN.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Elimination Of Illiter.cv

The United States Constitution was
established to secure domestic tran
quillity and promote the general well
fare, and knowing that a common
consciousness Of rights and wrongs is
essential to maintain national unity,
and believing that the people have
right to adequate educational facili-
ties and good health, we recommend
the Capitalization and cooperation of
our activities, state and national, in
the elimination of illiteracy, in the
extension Of public health work, the
prohibition of the entrance, of unde-
sirable aliens, and an active campaign.
to induce all immigrants to accept
the duties and responsibilities of
American citizenship.-Beatrice Van
H. Stevenson.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Federal Budget System

The Republican party hereby
pledges itself to exert. its best efforts
to reduce the present high living
costs by inaugurating a Federal bud
get system, a thorough audit Of ma
tional expenses and such economy
and efficiency In governmental busi-
ness as will set an example to the en-
tire country.-Leo N. Solomon, S23
Hunts Point Avenue, the Bronx.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-08
Compulsory { Training Urged
10 Solve Immigrant Problem

TO the Editor of The Tribune.
SIR: Americanization must be &C.
com,plished through compulsory Fed
erailzed educational training which
VIII lnculcate the spirit of service
20 the state and recognize this as
tne nrst principle and greatest honor
OF citizenship.
Gltlzens must be taught that the
crlterlon Of success is the enhance
ment OF the public veal, that free
Eom iorDids license, that opportunity
a.nposes obligation. that politics and
ton to the manifest interest there;r
tnas love is service and that republics
suscumb when materialism and indi-
vlauallsm eclipse the patriotism or
itic. WY pXnR Ro'-
BIZ Stephens Avenue, City.