New-York tribune., 1922-12-09
At His Best

.ar-drlVlng, constructive SugBes-
ions. II deals with urgent domestic
problems in the frankest and most
practical way. IL is not covered
rver with the hard and slippery
ylaze Of vague political generaliza-
ION. It is eourageously concrete
the strongest and bluntest which the
President has so far delivered.
AS Secretary Melons report
showed, the government has now
turned its own corner. II has set
is house economically in order. Bet
ter times are in sight. But certain
inequalities in liquidation and re-
corery remain and must be remedied.
Agriculture and transportation are
s.ill out Of line in cur postwar ad-
'Totment. The governments atten-
ION must therefore be given, first,
. helping the farmer out Of the pit
{ depression and. secondly, TO re-
soriug the economic efficiency Of the
alb Dads, so hard hit during the
var period by incompetent govern
ment management.
The President favors a broad ex-
tension Of credits TO the farmer, so
hat he may not only borrow on his
and but also on his products and
nay draw up on equal terms with
PRODUCERS in other industries. Spe-
ial provision is urged for livestock
redits. So far as economic facilities
,re concerned the farmer has
hitherto stood last. If there is to be
any inequality perhaps he ought 10
tand first. But all he asks for, and
What he certainly ought 10 have, is
quail opportunity.
In addition to abnormally low
prices the farmer has had TO face
ne burden Of largely increased rail-
Dad rates. The President thinks
nat agriculture is entitled TO lower
ates, TO be made up 70 the carriers
y a readjustment Of other tariffs.
Non-agricultural commodities are
better able to bear higher rates than
arm products are.
The transportation problem does
rot end there. Government control
under the existing statutes has been
ineffective and awkward. The CO.
ordination Of rail rates and rail
wages ought 20 be conhded TO the
same body. 1t is now confded 70
wo isolated bodies. The result has
seen chaos. The Railroad Labor
Board functions really belong TO the
interstate Commerce Commission.
The President is absolutely right in
recommending consolidation and in
advising the roads and their en-
Dloyees 10 settle the vast majority Of
their disputes among themselves. In
such cases as may come up 70 an
enlarged Interstate Commerce Com
mission the commission, in his opin-
ion, ought 10 have full power 10 en-
force wage as well as rate decisions.
The Railroad Labor Board was
unfortunately handicapped by the
fact that il represented three in
terests-the roads, the workers and
the public. II became too much a
forum for debate and dissension.
The public learned from last sum-
mer's shop-craft strike how deeply
its own welfare and safety are in
volved In railroad hold-ups. The gen.
eral interest requires disputes in
which the public is the chief suf-
ferer to be adjudicated by bodies
exclusively representing the public.
As to railroad strikes the Presi-
dent has the courage also TO lay
down the controlling principle Of
paramount public interest. He says
"Since the government assumes 10
safeguard his 1.-THE workers. inter
A.sts while employed in an essential
public service, the security Of So
ciety itself demands his retirement
from the service shall not be 80
timed and related as 70 effect the
destruction Of that service"
These words express a truth Of the
highest Importance in the regulation
Of the publie's future relations with
the minority groups in industry
which now seek to tyrannize over it.
Other subjects-immigration, the
need of amendments withdrawing
tax immunity from state and
municipal securities and giving
Congress power 10 regulate child
labor-are touched on in the same
crisp and pragmatic manner. The
President doubtless feels a GER
tain challenge from the noisy Con
gress bloc. He has the narrow