Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-08-19

gIne into co-ordinRted plan Of or.
Grafton. enabled the government TO
transport troops and supplies, at the
sume time afTOrding, under great
stress, n satisfactory outlet for our
Industries. II should be remembered
In this connection that except for the
motor truck which supplemented
transportation by rail, und except for
oil for commercial purposes, We
should not, IN all probability have
been able to throw our deciding
strength into the balance and win the
war. Amy attempt to dIscrcdlt the
federal operation OF railroads during
the years Of grave emergency Is uu.
fur. In the case OF those who know
the fHcts It is lnslncere. Too much
cannot be said in praise Of those who
directed this work, nor of the men
who physically operated the lines I'M
der the discouragIng conditions OF
poor equipment. But all OF this Is
water over the wheel. The problem
Of the railroads Is still with us. The
government and the public should
render every cooperation In the ut
most good faith. to give thorough test
to private ownership. The railroads
have had their lesson. Government
regulation n accepted now as not only
Il safeguard to the public, but rs
70 N ~
Financial credit Is necessary TO ply
steal rehabilitation and It should be
sufficient for the periods OF maximum
demand. We should not lose sight,
however, OF the vast possibilities Of
supplementary service by water. The
Great Lakes and St Lawrence nuvi.
CATION project particularly, should
claim the interest Of the government.
Federal Reserve System.
"1t Is almost unnecessary to speak
Of the Federal Reserve system In con-
nectiCn with the winning Of the war,
as, next to the conservation OF our
manhood and womanhood itself, the
greatest factor was the marshalling
into one unit through the Federal Re.
serve banks of the stupendous wealth
OF America To those Of vision who
look out beyond our shores into that
commercial domain where we are so
Justly entitled to enter In a time OF
peace, latent power Of the Federal Re
serve system can be seen promoting IN
every quarter OF the globe nm ever
widening flow Of American commerce.
We Will soon have Il merchant marine
feet Of II ,0OO0 900 tons aggregate, every
ship flying the American flag and
carrying In American bottoms the pro-
ducts Of mill and mine and factory and
farm This would seem TO be a guar
antee Of continued prosperity. Our
facilities for exchange and credit, how
ever in foreign parts should be en-
larged and under the federal reserve
system, banks should be established in
important trading centers.
Reduction OF Armament.
II am convinced after considerable
study Of the subject that the expense
Of the government can, without loss
Of efficiency, be reduced TO maximum
OF four billion dollars, including sink
ing fund and Interest on the national
Nations we should at the same time
diminish our cost for armament To
continue expenditures In either the
war or the navy departments on vast
scale, once our membership in the
League Is assured, would seem to be a
very definite refutation of the advan-
tages Of the world plan which we be-
lieve 1t possesses. An appealing funda-
mental In the League method, Is the
reduction Of ornaments We can
not afford to do 1t, until other nations
do likewise. If we do not enter the
League hundreds OF millions Of dol
lars must be spent for ornaments.
If we 30 in, and believe the people
will insist on 1t. then we can count
on economies
"The Republican leaders who have
taken charge OF their party and nomi-
mated Its candidate, are no more pos
sessed of the spirit of the hour than
they were In 1912 when they precipi-
|, tated revolution within the rank and
file Of great organization. If further
proof were needed, the action of the
present Congress supplies 1t. Not a
constructive law can be cited. Money
and time were wasted In seeking TO
make n military triumph an odous
chapter In hstory-and yet Is It not
significant that after two years OF
sleuthful inquiry, there was nothing
revealed In that vast enterprise, carry
ing billions OF dollars in expense, upon
which they could base even a whisper
OF dishonesty!
"The Mexican situation, trying TO
our patience for years, begins to she
signs OF improvement. Not the least
Of the things that have contributed to
1t, Is II realization by the people OF
that country, that we have neither the
lust for their domain, nor disposition
10 disturb their sovereign rights,
Peace smiles upon the border and In
centive to individual effort seems 10
be making n national aspiration.
Disabled Soldiers.
~ feel deeply that the rehabilitation
Of the disabled soldiers OF the recent