, 1922-03-04
The ZEAL OF MaeNIpER.

Had Mr.. Harry Black carefully re-read Tho Trib-
unes editorial of March 1, Of which he complains ne
eould have saved himself much effort in framing his
reply thereto. The Tribune launched no "v1tr1ohc at
tack against Hanford MacNider" or anybody else con-
ccrned with the American Legion, or the bonus What
The Tribune did do and still does is to condemn the
action of Hanford MacNider in demanding of the
president Of the United tates that Legislation be pass
ed for the benefit of any certain interest involving a
commitment to an expenditure of five billions Of dol
lars at a time when the treasury of the United States
cannot stand such financial strain and in the face of
repeated warnings of tho secretary of such fact And
at q timo too when the ordinary taxpayer Of the coun-
try Is grooming under a burden Of taxztion he can
scarcely sustain and rs having difficulty IN making both
ends meet
The Tribune always has and still approves the prop
or adequate and even liberal adjudication with the
men who served in any branch or IN any capacity in
the wur, for having been taken from their business or
employment at the peoples can to defend the flag. It
rs simply a question Of proper time and proper amount
The quoting of the telegram from Mr.. MacNider to
the president is sufficient evidence to justify The
Tribune-s position in the matter and we arc perfect.
~ willing to be judged upon that basis If Mr.. Mac
Niders telegram did not carry a threat and a COM
mand then the English language has lost its force and
meaning. The Interpretation which we placed upon
the words, we have subsequently discovered, has been
the meaning attributed to them, universally, except
by those at interest
The question of membership OF the legion or the
number of former service men for whom Mr.. Mac
Nider assumes to speak, is wholly immaterial The
justice Of the claim while highly Important and not
oven referred 10 by Mr.. MacNider is not denied by
any American citizen worthy of the name; but THO at
tempt, veied or otherwise, ~intimated, suggested or
openly stated, to threaten, coerce or intinidate a
president or a congress to do anything for anybody
or any interest, whatever its power or however right
cons its claim is an un-Ame-:r1- proceeding and
wholly contrary to Democratic institutions and danger
Gus to the liberties of the people.
The right of petition, the right to discuss arc ele-
mental rights under the constitution, but the right to
demand does not exist
Sentiment, for or against a matter like adjusted
compensation to soldiers but lately returned from the
most colossal war the world hss ever known, is not
Gifrult IN ms and is NOT apff1ed rnpD eifbor enda
to preponderunt weight Divest it of selfshness, SEN
timentality and all other influencing motives and base
the claim upon justice and faith in the American peo-
pie and there can be no controversy and no need 90
align chambers of commerce or other organizations IN
its behalf.
The views of newspapers, individuals, business in
terests and labor organizations upon the question of
soldier compensation, its amount and time and method
of payment are all entitled to the same consideration
and respect as the views of Mr.. Black, Mr.. MacNider
and their fellow members of the legion They an par
tirfpate in the payment.
AS to the attitude of other publications opposing
compensation as a principle, of which Mr.. Black
speaks, having the remotcst weight with The Trib-
une's expression Of opinion, the suggestion Is ridicu-
lous. The Tribune is for compensation. The publ
cations referred to are opposed. We have nothing to
do with the opinions of these publications, much less,
sympathy with their sentiments.
AS for propaganda for and against adjustment, both
sides have employed it IF it is Objectionable for one
1t is equally SO for the other. This feature as well as
many other features of what has now developed into
a campaign are the usual and ordinary methods of
the present day.
It is no original discovery Of ours, that all minds dc
not go along the same channel We believe Mr. Black
as well as many others, have had the same fact brought
home to them quite often. We did not like Mr.. Mac
Nider's approach to the president. We thought IL
boner and said so. In fact have not been convinced b
the contrary. This in no sense constituted an assam
upon Mr.. MacNiders personal character. We bav,
had occasion in the past to commend him hieblv. 7,
the present instance we cannot. That docs NJ ~,
ply that he is thrown to the dogs and luis usefulness
ended. Far from it. He is an outstanding America,
soldier. His zeal simply Stopped over. It is not IKE
By to do so again. Oversensitivenes about IL win ro
change the situation at this tine.