The New York herald., 1922-01-30

members Of the House frankly admit
| it. Not one of them has devised a
plan that will enable the Government
| to finance the bonus project without
imposing staggering burdens on the
already resentful taxpayers. Yet
| Senators and Representatives who are
ambitious to succeed themselves totally
ignore the facts and common sense
| of Mr.. Melons statement and insist
that they will put the project through
the legislative mill and stand ready to
repass it over President Harding's
veto.
| Democratic Attitude.
4 They are not particularly concerned
as to where the money will come from
or whether it will come from any
place. The only thing they care any
| thing about is to convince q noisy
minority group Of professional ex-ser-
vice men who are demanding a bonus
| that they (the members of Congress)
voted for it and are therefore entitled
to the support Of the votes of the pre-
sumptive beneficiaries, whose prospects
of getting the money under present
conditions are exceedingly dubious.
The Democratic Congressman are, of
course. very much in favor Of the
bonus bill now. They were not in
favor Of it a couple Of years ago. But
their present attitude undoubtedly ex-
ercises great influence over their Re-
publican confreres.
1t is significant fact that none OF
the groups recently rejecting dissatis-
| faction with conditions at Washington
has manifested very much interest in
the bonus project. This is presumably
for the reason that the enactment Of
It into law will increase causes for
dissatisfaction rather than decrease
them, because In the final analysis the
farmer and industrial worker will have
to pay the bill. This is Of no concern
to the member of Congress who is only
interested in getting votes in the next
| election.
What remedies will be found for the
undesirable conditions brought to light
by the agricultural bloc and farmers
conference plus the manifestations of
ciscontent expressed by Industrial and
general business elements throughout
the country is disturbing to the obser-
want leaders of both parties. They
admit that something will have to be
done to head off the organization of a
new party which may embrace a num-
Der OF groups Of which the agricultural
and labor elements will be the most
powerful.
Labor leaders who always have at
tempted to dictate the terms of an
alliance between tillsrs OF the soil and
Industrial toilers are much less arbi-
trary In this respect than they wero
a couple OF years ago. The downward
trend OF wages. the increasing support
OF the "oper shop" policy. with the
consequent loss OF prestige to the
lahcr unions. has somewhat chastened
tae autocratic spirit OF organized lead
ers.
Real Alliance Not Remote.
They appear to be much more sus-
oeptible to agricultural influences than
at any time in twenty years, so that
real alliance between the two most
powerful producing groups in the
country is not so remote as it may
seem. There are some very sagacious
politicians among the professional ele-
nicnts that control the agricultural
and labor units. Both are watching
tine trend of events with a vigilant
eye. ready to take advantage of any
significant break in the lines of the
two larger parties.
i The lack of team work between the
Administration and Congress, con-
trolJed by Republicans; the disregard
for legitimate and fundamental issues
and the contempt of potential credits
for party leadership are closely OBJ
served by the professional agricultural
aud labor leaders The situation Is
wholly to their liking. and the longer
II continues the greater will be their
satisfaction.
One of the most influential labor
leaders who discussed the situation
with delegate to the farmers con-
ference and the writer was most op-
timistic. He expressed the opinion
that continuance OF existing condi-
tons would do more to rejuvenate the
organized labor movement than any,
thing that the managers Of that enter
rise can devise.
He gave II as his opinion that "the
country has got away from the Re-
! publican party after discarding the
Democratic party. The people dis
carded the Democratic party because
IL mad forfeited confidence by ignoring
the legitimate needs Of the country
and chased will o. wisps that were Of
no substantial value 10 the people.
!. The Republican party is following in
, the steps of the Democratic party in
, this respect. 1t too Is chasing rain
bows. IL too has showed its issues into
the background. 1t too has turned its
| ear from the people who have griev-
, ances that should be needed. Con-
, gressmen of both parties are more
concerned over saving their own polit-
! ical hides than In winning the conf
dence Of the people. This can only
! be- done by giving everybody a square
deal, capital. labor, agriculture, indus
trial workers, shopkeepers, clerks,
men, women and children.
The program of neither party holds
out any hope of a square deal to any
, body. The logical answer to all of It
! IL that unless there is a radical i'm
provement in political. business and
social conditions there will be a new
party organized which will assert gen