The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-17
WHY GOVERNMENT SUFFERS


 try to keep themselves before the coun. try by spectacular performance instead of bending their best intelligence to- wards solving the problems of the ma. tion. As result, our congress and public offices are gradually becoming filled with men of superficial type, re- placing those of more substantial merit who cannot bring themselves to adopt the modern methods of winning votes. It is this tendency which leads to the formation of blocs, each headed by a leader obsessed of some theory that does not commend itself to the majority. A party in power is thus crippled and made impotent to redeem its campaign pledges, even when it has the desire to do so.
 All these advocates of extreme reform, or of legislative cure-alls advanced with the solemn assurance that they will remedy the condition to which they are supposed to apply, have failed The peo- pie whose imaginations have been fired by the thought of some magic legislative shortcut to their ambitions are begin ming to weary of the strain. They are becoming disillusioned, and find that the time-tried principles of business, eco- monies and government are the only re- liable foundations of progress. They are discovering that real reforms are creatures of slow growth, not squashes, the perishable fruit of six short summer weeks, but oaks, the slow but lasting growth of centuries. The political char latan dangles his promises like will-o'- the-wisps before the credulous multitude. But after the people have vainly strug- gled through the swamps and tangles of disappointment they finally withdraw to the firm ground of commonsense and turn away from the lure.
 It is believed that the people of the United States are beginning to learn from their series of recent disappoint- ments that their hopes cannot be achieved in one bound from the valley to the mountain height, but that they must traverse the whole route step by step. And there is assurance that the quickest way to achieve legitimate na- tional ambitions is to observe and apply the principles that are understood and have borne the test of time. No tenn porary plank or promise should ever be- come a fetich to be blindly adhered to through all successive administrations, for party's permanent welfare and ap- peal are properly built not on issues but on principles. Having adopted code or set of principles by which all issues and programs are measured. the party may then stand fearlessly before the people, knowing that it's position is un- assailable.
 It is believed that the people are not to be fooled forever. Sooner or later the voters come to appraise political fac tors at their true value. Those that are spurious are rejected and those that are genuine become known for what they are. Shallow, self-seeking, spectacular politicians cannot forever hold the stage. Eventually the pendulum of popular fa- vor swings back to statesmen of more genuine capacity. It has been said that the favor of the people is tickle and subject to fluctuation; but it may with equal truth be said that public favor must have more solid food than those who bid for it usually have to offer.
 For that reason it is hoped that the next administration will be distinguished, not only by a greater harmony between president and congress, but also by a greater party solidarity within congress. Those who belong to a party and who are elected by the constituents of a party cannot properly stand aloof from the party program on which they em- parked with all the others. Unless a candidate is able to accept the principles and purposes of the party under whose banner he goes into office, he has ar rived under false colors. He is not ex- to violate his conscientious scruples, but if he is sincere he should find out about these things before he aligns himself with party. The severe censure di- rected at the session of congress just closed has been called forth by the i'm potence and inefficiency of majority in name only. It is believed that less attention to f-aggrandizement, and a more patriotic devotion to the public welfare would effect an amazing and immediate cure for the present sterility of congressional, and therefore of ad- ministrative result.
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 INSTALLING DIESEL ENGINES
 The higher efficiency of merchant yes sels belonging to the government or in process of sale to private owners is in surnd hu the nrnnnsad installation of the