New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-12-02
CONFIDENCE IN
CONGRESS IS URGED
BY C. ". RIDD|Ck
IN SESSION ONLY A FEW
MONTHS AND SOLVING
PROBLEMS OF DOING A.
WAY WITH EFFECTS OF
WILSON REGIME

Washington, Nov. 30.-Unwar-
ranted criticism of the Harding Ad-
ministration by the Democratic Nat
ional Committee is exposed and ans
wered by Representative Carl w.
Riddick, of Montana one of the Re-
publican leaders of the House. In
a statement he says:
Stunned by the severity of its
defeat crushed by the consciousness
of the chaos following in the wake
of eight years of government con-
troll, the Democratic party, after a
year of silence, has begun a system
attic campaign of criticism of the Re-
publican administration, directed
particularly at the work of Congress.
THE American public will not take
this criticism seriously. Ii bears
too plainly the earmarks of mere
partisan fault finding. The public
will not forget that when the Re-
publican administration assumed con-
troll nine short months ago, it faced
staggering problems following in the
wake of the world war. Added to
these perplexing questions was the
inheritance of eight years of Will
/
dom which brought a breakdown
in our transportation system, de-
preston and facing of failure of our
basic agriculture and live stock in
dustries, an inflatation of costs and
prices of all the necessities of life,
and an unprecedent riot of waste
fulness and extravaganza as fixed
habit in public and private trans
actions.
"Only few months have lapsed
since President Harding was inaug-
urated and called Congress in spec
ial session to restore peace and be-
gin to undo the accumulated wrongs
of eight years. Peace has been de-
clared and foreign trade restablish-
ed. Disabled veterans of the war
have been generously provided for.
Great strides have been made in re-
establishing agriculture and live
stock raising, by protection from
ruinous foreign competition, and by
providing new lines of credit and
avenues of foreign markets. A bud
get plan has ben evolved, and Is
actually in operation marking a long
step toward the end of government
waste and extravaganza. Definite
steps have been taken to put the
railroads back on their feet, so they
may be able to furnish employment
to thousands now out of work, may
render efficient service, and reduce
rates, effecting a reduction in the
cost of living, and a stimulus to
business. Labor is protected by stop
ping the threatened influx of immi-
grants from the devastated sections
of the old world Work for thous-
ands of the unemployed is provided
in the road bill just ready for its
final passage. The House Of Rep
resentatives, after weeks of contin-
uous night and day work by many
Of its members. has passed both a
revenue and tariff bill that to-
gether will meet our unusual finan-
cial needs, and at the same time un-
shackle business and manufacture
ing, and provide employment for in
creased millions. These two latter
measures are now before the Senate.
Both measures offer new problems
more complicated and more bewild-
ering than any that have been be-
fore Congress this generation. The
war costs have necessitated increased
tax burdens that must be equitably
distributed in a manner least cal
culated to prevent an early return
of prosperity. The tariff, too, pre-
sents new problems arising from the
war. that require unusual thought
and deliberation.
There is more danger of too
great haste in writing these impor-
tant legislative acts than there Is OF
too careful consideration. Both viii.
be on the statute books within few
weeks In view of the immensity OF
the results that will follow the pas
sage of these bills. no mistakes must
be made. The effect OF these laws
will be to bring blessing or blight 70
the nation. II Is a time for confi-
dence and patience. for a peace-time
patriotism. that will spur every citi-
zen 10 help. rather than hinder. in
the great constructive work before
US"