The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-11-10
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

~ 1
passed a bill for the creation of a con
mission, headed by the secretary of the
treasury, with full authority to deal
with the war debts Of foreign nations
to the United States, and amounting
to $40, 900, 600, 900. While the process
OF lending our billions to Europe was
SO simple that the public knew little
about 1t at the time, it turns out that
the process Of making collections is
most difficult. One congressman ex-
planned to his colleagues that lin the
debts now due the United States there
probably lies the germ of more diff
culties, dissensions, differences and
irritation for the future than anything
that has ever arisen in the history OF
the country. There Is but One way
that this indebtedness can ultimately
be collected, unless the nation volun-
tarily pays it, and that is by war"
This p~essimistic view of the situation
was met by a rejoinder that we should
not attempt to drive hard bargains
or take any step likely to throw sus-
picion or mistrust on friendly nations
soon to participate in the conference
for limitation of armament" The con
gress has been many months attempt
ing to set up the machinery for col
lecting Europe's l. o. U. souvenirs.
On the eve of the armament con.
ference one hears strangely little about
war and it's effects upon the human
race, but there is no end OF talk about
taxes, and the constantly increasing
cost of ornaments. The United States
assumes that 1t can furnish men
enough to whip any enemy; and pos
sibly Great Britain has similar nc
tons. Japan apparently might try it,
too! But no one talks about the blood
and slaughter of it all. The question
Of costs seems the only thing that is
to be considered. Taxes, apparently,
have become 1.-The white mans bur
den"
The ships are coming into port and
it is noticeable that the war chiefs of
the world are landing and Fastening
on to Washington, for the purpose OF
engaging in the affairs Of the arma-
ment conference. Quite generally these
heroes of the wal are regarded as foes
of the limitation of armament, though
many Of them no doubt possess friend
ly points Of view. Nevertheless they
are the visitors who are toasted at
big dinners and applauded by those
who are sitting on the picket lines
watching international democracy"
coniscate war-making machinery.
Former Vice-President Thomas r.
Marshall has been leading a free and
somewhat aimless life since. March
last. He writes some for the news
ally drops in at his old haunts about
Washington. When he visited the
White House recently President Hard
ing gave him a glad hand," and Vice
President Coolidge posed with his
predecessor for the camera men. Mr..
Marshall said a few pleasant things,
and wandered off down the street, and
the incident was forgotten in a day.
It has begun to dawn on people that
Mr.. Marshall seldom a y anything Of
consequence. This fact stood out very
boldly a few days ago, when he actu-
ally did say something. Contrasts are
always striking things. His statement
that the league of nations Is a dead
ideal rather startled Washington. Mr..
Marshall began by directing attention
TO the fact that he had favored the
league proposition, thus trying to
patch up with fellow democrats be
might offend, while at the same time
he was handing something comforting
to the present administration. 1t is
also more likely hat the former Vice
President took a little cold comfort
in the chill his statement would give
his former chief, Woodrow Wilson,
whom he loves-nit!
The country has been very much up
set during the recent weeks because
Of the uncertainty regarding continued
operations Of the railroads. Because
Of the fact that every community Is
dependent upon the continued opera
ton of these carriers the government
has been taking an increasingly
larger part in the directing Of their
affairs for many years. When the
Esch-Cummins law was passed there
was a well-grounded hope that the
way had been found for a solution
Of the railroad problem. Evidently
the law is full of holes, and Senator
Cummins wants many changes in the
skirt he helped to cut. Representa-.
tive Esch was defeated for reelection
because of his joint authorship Of the
measure, but President Harding
promptly appointed him as a member
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. This last named organization Is
one that is Of peculiar interest in every
stage of railroad troubles; still, that
is significant that it does not operate
toward settling the biggest problems
connected with the railroads. II makes