The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-09-22

study Of the Industrial situation and
Of the causes Of q condition which
has forced nearly six miIlien American
men and women to idleness."
Apparently no official In washing
ton seems to think that means can
easily be found TO put the idle back to
work, but 1t seems to be the hope that
somehow something can be done,
through legislation or otherwise, to
relieve the present situation. There
are doctors enough with their cures
for the trouble. but most Of the doc
tors disagree as to the remedy, and
MS one high official put II, the man who
can find remedy not only will be a
public benefactor. hut can write him
self down ms the first person who ever
succeeded IN overcoming that rare old
partnership Of supply and demand.
As matter Of fact. no one here
believes that the men who are to come
here to discuss unemployment will be
able to suggest anything definite that
will relieve the situation. unless the
recommendation shall follow the line
~ suggestions of legislation Of various
kinds which already has been pro-
posed.
There are men here who say that
II congress will put the railroads back
into running, so to speak on smooth
rails. and will supplement proper
legislation for the benefit Of the agri-
cultural interests. all will be well:
hut here again one runs up against
conflicting views There are men who
think that the railroads do not need
any additional legislation for their
benefit and that the farming interests
already have been sufficiently pro-
vided for. and that therefore some
thing entirely new In the way Of legis-
latlon is needed to start the factory
whistles Of the country to blowing
again.
Disagree on Legislation.
Concerning some Of the legislation
which the administration evidently
desires to have put through for the
purpose Of ending unemployment,
there is vast gulf Of disagreement
between representatives of the en-
ployers and representatives Of the en-
ployed. Legislation for the relief Of
the railroads is a point at issue. The
executives Of the roads look at It one
way and men employees look at II
another way. There will he some kind
Of a. compromise on legislation. but
the history Of things ever since the
days Of the Missouri Compromise
goes to show that compromises gen.
orally are only strong enough to
struggle through a short life.
II is certain that there Is economic
trouble in the country. Some six
millions Of Americans have acute
knowledge Of this fact. Men and
women who made big wages during
the war and did not waste their money
are much better OF today than their
brothers and sisters who also made
big money but who insisted on enfoid-
ing themselves in silk shirts and
Alaska seal skins. The virtue Of
thrift Is preached from a good many
pulpits Of the land every Sunday. but
there are some millions Of Americans
today who apparently stand ready to
say that experience Is a better teacher
than any preacher.
Small Nations and the Conferences.
Based on information which
came from men In touch with the
Intentions Of the various countries
Of earth, the statement was made six
weeks ago that while the disarma-
ment conference membership will be
limited to certain great nations, there
will be present outside the conference
chamber many pleaders In behalf OF
countries and half-cOuntries which lie
along a line much longer than that
which runs from Byzantium to SPAIN"
Although warned long ago, the ad-
ministratiOn and the State department
are only today taking something like
alarmed notice of the intention Of ev-
cry small nation Of earth. every half
nation, and every country that wants
to be a nation, to have representatives
in Washington at the forthcoming dis
armament and Far East conference.
Today Washington OfiicialdOm is re-
asserting its determination that there
shall be no consideration Of any inter-
national problems that may becloud
fhe main issue" Apparently 1t took
the State department long time to
learn of the activities of the agents
of small countries who have been
working In Washington with view
to securing some kind of a represen-
tation In the forthcoming conference,
or, failing this, to force the consider
alton of problems with which the rep
resentatives at the conference are sup
posed to have nothing TO do.
Headquarters for Propaganda.
OF course the will of the admins
tration will prevail, and nothing will
be taken up at the conference except
disarmament and Far East problems.
but If the propagandists In behalf Of
other things are given the news and
newspaper opportunities which they
seek. the public will be given full in
formation concerning the alleged
II.