Evening star., 1922-05-23
Country Demands the Relentless
Prosecution of War Profteers.

There is g. concerted and un2ni-
editors of the United States for the
proposal to conduct a serious crimi
nal prosecution of all who benefited
fraudulently through wartime con-
tracts. Without regard to party the
newspapers commend the proposal.
There is, however, some sharp criti-
cism because Attorney General
seeking ample funds to conduct the
investigation and to institute crimi-
nal proceedings. The fact that he has
acted on the eve of the congressional
campaign is scored, but the critics
agree that if he secures real action
the delay well may have been JUS
titled.
Complete Endorsement of the entire
plan comes from the New York Times
independent democratic), which
takes tne position that the ends OF
justice. not of the fall elections. are
to be served. The ultimate verdict
will be given, on the evidence. by
public opinion. Outside of the tribe
of politicians nobody cares a pins fee
W
thief" has no political connotation."
Not only is this so, but, as many pa
pers point out, the general charges
place under a cloud all influential
pcrsonages' who had to do with war
contracts, and every day which the
many who are innocent must bear the
stigma which should attach only to
the few who may be guilty not only
adds to a grave injustice, but it does
untold harm in undermining the con-
fidence of the people in their govern
ment And while there has been un-
warranted delay the present action is
most welcome, in the opinion of the
New York Globe independently, which
points out that here is villainy to
be prosecuted, the most unspeakabie
villainy and theft.
Sincere regret for failure to act be-
fore now is expressed by number of
newspapers, the Baltimore News
(independent) suggesting that I'VE
cannot avoid feeling that the ad-
ministration has allowed itself to get
into a position in which some color
can be given to the charge that the
States VS.. the profiteers, will be those
of the republicans VS.. the democrats" p"
Color to this is lent by Mr.. Daugh-
erty's letter to the President, the
Brooklyn Eagle Gndependent demo-
cratic) asserts, believing that the
money want to know why Mr.. Daugh-
erty waited until his own record was
attacked by republicans before he
revealed such a condition" The
Richmond Times-Dispatch (demo-
cratic), indorsing this declaration,
very deeply interested in the COM
plete exposure and the vigorous
prosecution of such cases as Mr..
Daugherty mentions, and, in the light
of his unaccountable delay, must re-
fuse to share his contention that
cusing of public attention upon
these cases upon the eve of their
prosecution"
An appeal that the prosecution
shall not be made a political foot
ball" is voiced by the Buffalo News
(republican), which wants the names
of the profiteers made known" and
declares that the chief fault may
lie with the Wilson administration,
but the present Congress is not
wholly biameless." If there have
been frauds, the only thing the pub
Plain Dealer independent demo-
cratic) points out. SIS the prosecution
of those responsible for them. Alibis
restore nothing to the public treas
ury. More action and fewer alibis
would strike the public favorably."
There also Is danger tndt tne oeiay
has afforded the grafters the oppor-
tunity to make away with the evil
dence, the Kalamazoo Gazette (re-
publican) believes, suggesting that
any hope that the government will
succeed in recovering any large part
of the hundreds of millions of dollars
which are said to have been stolen is
not to be expected" The public
wants all Of the details. the New
York Evening Post Independently is
convinced, suggesting that III there
has been fraud. then. 40 n1stter whom