The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-08
MIR. HUGHES TRIES HIS HAND.

} property of either party, and that Presl- dent Coolidge is an eminent exponent of Americanism. Nobody will take serious issue with the secretary on these two points. The rank and file of the Repub- lican party is composed of the same loyal and honest Americans as compose the Democratic party. Both groups want honesty in government
 Il The distinction Mir. Hughes fails to make is that many among Republican leaders have been dishonest and that there has been no aggressive effort on the part of the administration to clean out this dishonesty. Forbes was elected from the Veterans Bureau by Mir. Hard ling when the directors guilt was discov- cred, but MT. Coolidge not only did not promptly eject Messrs. Denby and Daugh- erty from his cabinet when he found them unfit, but he even attempted to apologize for them and permitted them to take their own time about resigning. It is certain that if there had been no irresistible demand outside of the party for their removal they would be in the cabinet today.
 MT. Hughes vehemently denounces dis honesty in high places, and doubtless he is sincere. But the fact remains that the dishonest were not only permitted loNg I to remain in high places, but there was actual executive effort made to prevent the discovery of the facts pertinent to their record. Thanks to the aggressive ness of Senator Thomas J. Walsh, that effort was defeated, and the facts were brought out. Successful effort was made, however, to prevent probe into the activities of Mir. Mellon. And there is daily increasing belief that his depart ment deserved the investigation that was blocked.
 + MT. Hughes doubtless is in earnest when he says that the guilty should be punished, but he. is in errorswlen he says that vigorous prosecution is going on in the courts.& Quite the contrary is the case. Two special attorneys have had this duty ostensibly laid upon them, aft CT the president had vainly sought to us: the discredited department of justice to this end. But so far, the only news regarding these attorneys is that their first presentation of briefs was thrown out of court because of technical flaws. The presidents search for two eminent lawyers resulted in fiasco at the first hearing on the recovery of the oil leases If the president we're determined to have Elose wrongs righted, he would have made stern inquiry into the reasons for the flaws in thpse briefs.
 The Democrats of this country do not lay claim to a monopoly on honesty. They can say with truth, however, that their administration was unmarked by evil dences of dishonesty or betrayal of high official trust, such as have marked the Republican administration. They can say with truth that privileged interests did not have the ear of the Democratic president, and that the people of this country got a square deal from their government during the Democratic ad- ministration.
 MT. Hughes soon leaves this theme, however, and desires to pass to "more important issues." What he actually means is "less embarrassing issues. MT. Coolidge has not yet met the challenge of Mr. Davis as to honesty in govern ment." The truth is that the presidents hesitation, when confronted with facts of dishonesty among his advisors, de- prived him of adequate answer. If MT. Coolidge had proceeded with promptness and decision when the ugly facts first raised their heads, and if he had at once sponsored and backed a thorough and impartial inquiry, followed by discharge and proper penalties, he would have turned the situation to his political ad- vantage. He did not do so, and the situation has been to his political dis advantage. It may cost him reelection.
 There are millions of honest Republic ans. Some of them will vote the Demo- cratic ticket this fall. The number who will do so is growing day by day. There are honest ones who will continue to stand by their party, as it is their right to do. But nobody can deny the facts of dishonesty among high Republican of- ficials, nor can they point to single Democrat leader who similarly abused the public trust during his period of pub lie service. The president is honest, but he has been too tolerant of the reverse in others. MT. Hughes is honest, and so he makes a poor apologist for those who are not. It is a bad year for Republican executive officials to debate that theme.
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 WHY THERE IS CONFIDENCE.