Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-11-11
Saturday, November II, 1922
THE GOVERNMENT, WHAT is IT?


iieving in Republican principles and
chastened by a militant criticism,
there would be opportunity for the
Harding administration to fulfil it's
promise OF being one Of the most
constructive administrations this
country ever had.
But with some of its majority made
I'D OF those Republicans only in
name, inflamed by an enlarged sense
Of their personal popularity; with a
labit already formed of getting to-
gether regardless Of party label, as
bIocs, and log rolling with sole view
10 the effect on their constituents,
with no sense of responsibility to
party or party program and princi-
Die. with a people Indifferent when
rot impatient, the task becomes
complicated and exceedingly difficult.
The situation may be helped if the
country will do some serious and con-
tinuous thinking, and resolve and
act on their carefully conceived con-
illusions. A reputable observer de-
cares 1.-THE outstanding character
istic Of the American business man is
his Iaziness in connection with think
ing" Assuming this to be fairly
correct observation who is to do the
thinking or is it to be left undone?
We believe the women have been
thinking. They have not the aid OF
matured experience in matters politi-
cal to help them in thinking straight.
although it is generally conceded
they are doing creditably on the
whole. But is it fair to the women
for the business men to leave the
duty of thinking on matters Of gov
eminent wholly to them?
Surely this is not the way in which
trose business men, who are success
rul. would conduct their own affairs
and they know, if they will think
about it. that the governments at
fairs cannot be successfully conduct
ed after that fashion. They know. if
they will but think, that after such
mussing up as the last election
caused taking Of stock should follow
Immediately, the situation should be
locked over the record of the Of
ficials we have put on the job should
he carcfuly-and justly-reviewed
business men don't hire for their
own employment men simply because
they promise much and they don't
discharge them off hand in a fit of
d.splcasure. why co this with those
they put In charge Of the govern
ment? On the contrary in this as
in their own business they should
look to the credit of the concern;
they should have definite program,
a comprehensive idea of the needs
and OF their mean. for meeting
those needs as they arise.
II they had employed a manager
and he had started IN to reduce ex-
pcnses and to limit appropriations.
would they give an afternoon tea to
the disgruntled and listening to their
accusations discharge the manager?
On the contrary would they not say
to the manager: Eve are with you to
the finish" Then why not get back
or President Harding in his effort to
clean up bureaucracy and ex-
travagance in government. There
reyer has been a President who has
rnade greater effort to do this. Would
they not cooperate with a business
manager who insisted on following
tlme-tried methods approved by the
hest business mind and experience?
OF course they would. Then why
not cooperate with President Hard
ing. That is what he is doing and
riade a lot Of enemies in the doing.
Would they not know that such a
business manager would be unpopu-
lar for q time at least among those
who might not get all they wanted?
Of course they would. but they would
stan say: go to It: we are with you"
Then why not say so to Manager
Harding!
II they would do this and having
determined on the course to be pur-
sued called on Congress to pursue it,
to get busy and put 1t through and
take their medicine like men instead
Of dancing like puppets every time
they. heard a rustling among the
voiefs-why. we would be having
business administration Of this great
government business before we knew
it-and the millennium would be Just
around the corner. That is. it would
bv until time for another election.
But what Of that? What does q
temporary defeat mean to those who
haye accomplished splendid result?
They. II no one els, at the moment
knew. would experience that really
wonderful satisfaction Of q work well
done. and In the end there would be
enough satisfaction to 90 around.
Furthermore the work sadly needs to