New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-04-01
WILL WE LEARN A
LESSON FROM EXPERIENCE

Special to State Record -
Washington, March O-Universal
conscription in case of war is sub
ject to which President Harding gave
prominent place in his inaugural
address, but which has received no
subsequent attention from the press
o. p4biic. The views expressed by
the President have been put forward
by very few people heretofore.
but his address is the first occasion
in which the subject has been so
earnestly advocated by man of in
fluence in national affairs. Mr..
Harding said:
If war is again forced upon us
earnestly hope way may be found
which will unity our individual and
collective strength and consecrate
all America materially and spiritual
ly, body and soul. to national defense.
| can vision the ideal republic where
every man and woman is called und-
er t. flag for assignment to duty
for whatever service, military or CT
vic, the indiy dual is best fitted, where
we may call to universal service
every plant, agancy, or facility, all in
the sublime sacrifice for country and
not one penny of war profit shall
innure to the benefit of private in
ividual. corporation and eombina-
ton but all above the normal shall
flow into the defense> chest OF the
nation, There is something inher-
entity wrong, something out of ac-
cord with the ideals of representa-
tive democracy when one portion of
our citizenship turns its activity to
private gain amid defensive war
while another is fighting, sacrificing,
or dying for national preservation
The conscription law of 1917 con-
templated universal liability to SER
vice but under the exemption provi-
sions one man was called 10 the
colors while his neighbor OF the same
ace was exempted and left TO pur-
sue his private calling with oppor-
tunity to secure largely increased
compensation. The man found fit
for. military duty and not engaged
in necessary occupation" was sent
TO the trenches and required to Of
fer his life in return for compen-
sation OF $50 per month and sub
sistence His neighbor who was
either not fit for military service or
was engaged in an occupation class
ed as Necessary, was given exemp-
tion which left him free 70 MAXI
every possible profit out OF the war
ct'eigency. Laree numbers OF mti.
physically qualified Tor military ser
vice we're engaged in what might
be called was service ut home Sut
toak advantage OF the nations cri.
teal situation to force wages up an
service down This was notably true
of men employed in shipyards and
in the building OF cantonments, mill
tary camps and manufactures What
was true of labor was also true oi
capital Every line of business took
advantage OF the opportunity &c
make abnormal profits,
The excess profits tax was an eff
fort to carry out the policy express
ed in President Harding's statement
wherein lie said "All above the nor
NAL shall flow into the defense chest
of the nation" But the excess pro-
fits tax did not work out in prac-
tiee planned in theory. Those sub
iect TO the tax increased selling prices
to such extent as to pass the tax on
the consumer. II is obvious that
IN case Of another war some other
plan would be necessary to accom-
Dl'sh the end President Harding de-
si-cs
It IS also apparent that II the
Harding policy is to be put into
effect on another occasion no man
rou'i be cecmntcl from military
service but al held subject 10 mill
tary orders. assigning them to work
where most effective and holding
fhcm responsible for shirking just a.,
s5'die- would be held responsible
II he failed in driv In line OF bat
'lc President Hard'ng's policy
wori1 treat one violation Of duty
IN the face of the enemy as ser
iously as the other II IS altorethcr
likely that someone will work out
comurchrnsigc and sne~ific plan
along the line indicated by Presi-
dent Harding so that II viii be upon
the statute books and the whole ma
zion be familiar with It's provisions
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