Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-21
A PRETTY cHEERLESS WEEK
IN THE WORLDS AFFAIRS
The Mad Scramble for Special Privilege
Is Being Renewed In Europe and
In the United States


at large ought to be happy and brightly ex-
pectant at this moment. For even to the
eye Of the confirmed optlmist the skies seem
pretty black. About the only really cheer
full news that found its way into print this
week told of the invention by the Rotary
Club in this city of the Specchess Dinner.
That is something TO rejoice over, even If it
doesn't compensate for the dreariness of
the general outlook.
French politicians led by Poincarc--or
leading him ?-and kicking violently ut the
hornet nests of Europe, and seemingly de-
termiDed to wreck any scheme that may be
devised for the peace and safety of the
white mans world, are q depressing spec.
tncc. particularly from the viewpoint Of
Washington. Congress has been hoping
against hope to get enough from our foreign
loans to pay n general soldiers bonus. Our
chances Of getting either principal or inter-
est from the great European war loans de-
crease in exact ratio with the success of
the Old World political adventurous who
are striving openly to bring about new con-
ficts of interests or arms in Europe and
elsewhere.
Possibilities of International co opera
now," said Mr.. Gilbert in his Washington
dispatch OF yesterday. The Genoa Confer
ence, which was to have been to the present
economic war Of the world what peace
conference is to a war of the older fashioned
sort, may have to be abandoned. II it is
abandoned there must be economic chaos in
Europe and terrible and disordcrly scutfle
for spois that may lead to almost any sort
Of fresh disaster.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Hoover seems to he con-
vnCed that strike of the btuminOus
miners in this country is almost inevitable.
Hoover is not by disposition possimist
Because he talks like ono in this instance
, makes what he has to say all the more
significant
What can Washington do to avert such
strike? What can the public do: No one
knows because it isn't fashionable to think
about these things in advance. Here. APP
parcntly. is now burden of responsibility
for the Presidents shoulders and now
occasion for direct Executive action or ap-
peal. But why should the President have
to toll normal minded Americans that II
strike is wrong, that it can accomplish
nothing but infinite harm:
The cause of most Of the assorted trou-
bles which afAict the times is pretty clearly
ds"crniblc. Tho fault lies not 80 much
with Governments as with the average man.
who. in Europe and in Amcrica. refuses
stubbornly to pay any attention to public
affairs and trusts himself wholly 10 Provi-
dence and the politicians. Every one knows
that the coal business /, out Of joint. but
Fa,,. ln;, Il. =,
themselves in the correction Of abuses which
are open and hagraut.
\ coal strike at this time would Instantly
reverse the present downward tendency %
living costs. 1t would retnrd the processes
of industrial revival. II would work new
confusion on the railroads, Th" miners
unions and the mine owners are IN war
not 50 much for money for absolute con-
troi of the coal industry and he coal supply.
Between them they are managing TO con-
vince the country tia, by one method or
! another tho people through their Govern
mcnt will have 10 rule over both Of them.
The sorlid scramble for class adyantage
that l. making wrcckagc Of The houps Of
Europe is being duplicated in 'hc United
States. If the miners unions want to boss
the country by mass action to eat on the
fuel supply they can poin for Justification
to the farmers, who arc attempting to boss
the country rbrouoL , Sonnto lilo. md
special representation ON the Federal Re
! serve Board. Labor and the farmers arc
playing game that capital taught them.
and there you arc
in the upronr Of the general scrimmugc
: i hno h. d., 4
. tha, i, raised ,o varn civ;itzoti,r mud ,o
urge unon If q mara bororobIo c,r,orn ror
tho rulr, Of u.,ira and . ut.or rc,arJ f,r
unrbancjno moroI ,rria.
rorcc md rjolopcc and i,,r,r,,, ,.,, ,o,,o,.
bc y,hst,i,ted fo,, nbiIoyo,,I,., in ,Lo Sat,
of ,otions or H. ,Lo noT,,io,,'t'i,,o
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