Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-02-15
MANY TROUBLES AT HOME


qualified denial by Secretary Hughes
that the State Department gave even
an inferential approval to the re-
parations letter drafted by observer
Boyden, will be reassuring to the
American people, lis the view of the
Republican Publicity Association, ex-
pressed through its president, Hon.
Jonathan Bourne, Jr. Says the Asso.
Eff there is any one thing the peo-
pie of this country desire, it is to.
be kept from free the controversies
Of Europe. Repeated reports
through the press during the past
year that this Governments had de-
cided to enteryene in some way or
, other, have given rise to fear that
were disturbing even though they
proved to be unfounded.
Assurance that this country win
not NEEDLE with the affairs of Eu-
rope will tend to increase confidence
hat the serious problems eonfrontt
ing us at home will receive the at
tention they demand. These problems
are neither few in number nor easy
of solution.
.We have magnificent railroad
system, constructed by men Of vision,
Eof courage and Of skill at time
when Individual initiative was given
the encouragement. necessary for
lack of equipment and lack Of credit,
due, apparently, to the paralyxing
clutch of governmental Bureaucracy.
Continued operation Of that system
is not only curtaled by inadequate
tinuance through the dictatorial pow
ers of unions Of employees. Nit
withstanding it's beneficial features,
Government regulation of railroads
has proven, on the whole, not con-
structive in its effects.
'9The problem of transportation on
the seas This greatest industrial
nation has been dependent upon other
nations for transportation of its
Goods in time of peace and Of it's sup
plies and soldiers in time of war
Relief lat tremendous expense as
wa emergency has been but tenn
porary and other nations are again
}resuming their ascendancy over to
US in maritime carrying trade. We
are spending $4,000, 900 a year to
carry on losing fight for a mer-
chant marine. Some better plan
be adopted.
"In every part of the United
States outlawry is common and tales
of crime and violence fill the pages
OF the daily press. In some sections,
despairing of suppression of crime by
law, vigilante committees have taken
the task upon themselves with re-
suits that are deplorable in the ex-
IRENE. Through negligence or in
capacity, officers of the law are fan
ing in the effective performance of
their duties.
| although American agriculture is
in far better financial condition than
two years ago or even one year AGO,
there is much to be done before this
country can feel justified in expect
ing men to continue in the occupation
of producing food. When goods are
sold in receiving markets at prices
which leave cash out of his own poe
ket for part of the expense of mar
keting, the situation is one that fore
tells decreasing production and scare
/ ity of food.
These are only few Of the pro
blems that confront is - problems
as difficult of solution as any that
are pending in Europe Under cir
cumstances such as these, diversion
of official attention to the political
squabbles of Europe would be little
short of breach of public trust. AS
surance that there has been no such
misdfrectaon Of official functions
gives reason to hope for early re-
lief from the evils we are suffering
at home"