New-York tribune., 1920-07-18
|Ciolitti's Frank
Policy in Italy
Avoids Unrest
New Premier Determined
to Give All Factions OPP
portunity To Be Heard
on Floor of Parliament
Economy Is His keynote
Extravagant Civil Aviation
Bureau Is Suppressed;
War Office to Do Work
From q Special Correspondent

From a Special Correspondent
ROME, June 24.-At the opening of
Parliament to-day there was lacking
in the atmosphere that feeling Of un-
certainty and unrest which inevitably
accompanied every new ministry dur
ing the last five years. In the present
instance Premier Giolitti had formed
his Cabinet with such care that he was
sure of large majority, which was
necessary under present conditions.
Without vote Of confidence no gov
crnment in Europe can remain in
power. The policy of the present Min
istry is one of absolute frankness, so
essential after a crisis as grave as the
one through which Italy has just
passed. Free discussion of the fnan-
cial as we'll as all labor troubles now
torturing the country will not only be
allowed, but encouraged. The House
will remain in session for some time,
to give all parties a chance to explain
their views.
For the new Premier and Ministers
the present time is period Of sus-
pense, a transition from the easy~going
administration of war and armistice
times. In Italy, as in other countries
just getting over the great war, with
its abnormal life, it was necessary to
allow a great deal of liberty in order
that the people might return with time
to their normal level.
Getting back to the old order of
things was not as pleasant as those
in power made it out to be. 1t meant
low wages, whereas during the war
high, if not exorbitant pay was the
rule. The Socialists preached to the
working classes that big wages should
remain and better conditions and less
work should be stipulated, if employers
intended to have any work at all. Gov
ernment employees from being poorly
paid class have become better paid,
yet they are not satisfied. The work
ing classes, not only skilled, but un-
skilled, have become the governing
classes, and yet are discontented.
Not only do they work less, but they
use every pretext to strike, knowing
we'll that they will not only receive
their increase, but their back pay while
they have been striking. Naturally
this state of affairs must be curbed,
and the government took a step in.
that direction when they notified the
railway men few days ago that if
they returned to work their claims
would be inquired into, but first they
must return.
/ Signor Giolitti plans a complete in
quiry into war expenditures and money
spent since the armistice. Strict
economy will be the motto OF the
| Administration.
The Civil Aeronautical Department
was the first to be suppressed under
the economy policy of tie Giolitti
government. This department was
founded to encourage aerial progress,
and the air force was transf rred from
the War Office to separate civil ad-
ministration. This plan has been
failure and in future the work will be
done under the War Office.
The civil aeronautical force had out
! lined vast scheme of raids to the
Furthermore parts Of the world with
out any thought Of cost At that time
everybody was spending. When it was
known that the raid from Rome to
Toxic would cost 100000 francs
hardly any one protested. Few even
knew that a bill for $4,000 francs had
been handed into the ministry for balls
cal Mission to Argentina. Thirty-seven
! thousand francs of this was for a
supper dansant given by the mission
at Buenos Ayres.
The civil commission started out
with a great deal of enthusiasm in or
ganizing a passenger service. Their
first effort in this direction was daily
pleasure trips over Rome and its sub
urbs. Many took advantage of this
service to view the Eternal City from
the clouds. Seats were booked for
serious accident occurred in the north
of Italy, and afterward no one cared
to fly.
The postal service was not a great
success for the same reason. The first
postal aerial line started was between
Sardinia and Civitavecchia, but an ac-
cident occurred to hydroplane dur
ing practice which disheartened the
members of the corps. A huge amount
OF money was spent on these two
ventures.
During Signor Nitt's last two min
istries some effort was made to reduce
the expenses, but all in vain. The or
ganization fairly absorbed money. The
last straw came about ten days ago
when the War Office wished to send air
planes to help Italian troops in AL
bania. Out of the thousands of air
planes which should have been in con-
dltIon only five could be put together
After two machines had been taken and
flown over to d'Annunzio last fall
orders were given for the best ma
chimes to be taken to pieces so that no
others should be sent to Fiume.
The suppression of the civil nero
nautical department is approved by all
parties. All the men who belonged to
the organization will be considered eli
gible in the air force under the War
! Office
1t is questionable whether plans
completed for passenger air ports ali
over Italy will be used. The most nee
essarry thing is. lacking-funds. 1t is
the firm determination of the Premier
to discourage any scheme which will
sap away the financial strength of the
nation.
Pope Sends Surprise