Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-03
SUBMITTED FOR coNslpERA.
TON

TON
Perhaps It II due to IN impression
Of stability connected with the Hard.
ing administration, contrasting az 1t
docs with the upheavel Of war and
the chaotic conditions resulting from
that and because the reins fell from
the hands Of q sick President, per-
perhaps these phases Of the situa-
tion naturally make the public ex-
pectant Of facts and figures in place
Of fiction and fancies. One goes to
the bank expecting a statement Of
account that will be accurate. One
turns to the Government as now ad-
ministered with a like expectancy
and confidence.
They are not disappointed. The
finance chairman Of the Republican
National committee, Mr.. Hilles, has
summarized and compared and the
showing is one which Mr.. Average
Citizen will do well to think over.
Perhaps Mr.. Average Citizen doesn't
fully realize what it meant to under
take to curtail bureaucratic extrava-
gance at the national capital, Of the
enmities it aroused, Of the lobbying,
intriguing and makeshifting it gave
rise to. The President put General
Dawes on the job and backed him up
and the result has been gratifying to
the public beyond expectations.
Our foreign relations were in a de-
plorable state. President Harding
assigned the secretaryship of the De-
partment Of State to Mr.. Hughes and
has stood with him. OF course we
all remember how it was said this
would be impossible. but 1t wasn't
and this country has maintained its
rights, dealt generously and fearless
1y and down deep in every American
heart, there is pride that it Is so.
pride that we were big enough to
deal generously in the naval agree
ment, that we have insisted on
business-like but lenient disposition
Of the foreign loans.
The administration early recogniz-
ed the need of more judges and got
them. June 80, 1921 there were in
excess Of 1856, 900 cases undisposed Of
in the United States courts. All that
has been changed. The agricultural
interests were in deplorable condition
and no practicable way to afford re-
lief has been overlooked. OF this Mr..
Hilles says: I'm fifteen months the
War Finance Corporation gave direct
aid which was exceedingly beneficial
and stimulating. and the psychology
Of the corporations work loosened
credits and established confidence
everywhere"
Those who have accused the ad-
ministration Of being easy-going
seem to have left the veto Of the bon
us bill and the Bursum bill out of
their reckoning. Few administra-
lions would wish to assume such re-
sponsibility. This one did assume it,
though not wishing to do SO. Re-
trenchment Is one Of the most diff
cult and most embarrassing of UNDER
takings for any government. The
total which was s6,4o3.343.s41 in 1920
was changed to $3.372,607,s99 for the
fiscal year 1922.
We were due to be flooded fol-
lowing the war by foreign immi-
grants and foreign goods made by
wage workers paid in cheap money
and working merely to exist. The
former have been kept out and the
latter have been paying into our de-
pleted treasury in the way of tariff
percentage Of the profits which form
erly went into the pockets Of the
importer and this has been done
without disturbing trade relations or
exacting extortions from the con-
sumers. We have seen the steady
rise Of Government securities feat
ure Of better conditions which is in
disputable.
Mr.. Hilles expresses the bellet
there has been back Of this develop
ment a far-sighted policy. We agree
with him. Such changes do not 9TH
eerwise come about. They are refer
red to at this particular time. per-
haps, because it Is expected to ask
the country for an endorsement next
year and tho friends Of the admins
tration would not have these things
pass out Of the public mind and they