The Washington times., 1924-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL
DEAN BACKS.
PROBES
Greatest Trial of Corruption
in History of the Republic,
Says Nelson.

Congress is being praised on the
one hand and denounced on the
other for its Investigations of TeG-
pot Dome and other scandals.
Some call 1t "1'he School for Scan
dal." Others declare 1t is per-
forming ValuGble a0ork. FoltosO-
ing Is the viei0 of one Of the deans
Of Congress.
By HON. JOHN M. NELSON,
Congressman from Wisconsin.
header Of the Liberal Bloc in Congress.
written expressly for Cosmopolitan
News serytce.)
Not since the civil war, probably
never in the history of the ma
ton, has such a trail of crime and
corruption been uncovered. Stu
dents of government pause to con-
slider the result. The thoughtful
man asks himself whether the trail
will end in an abyss Of despair
which will engulf democracy.
Historians Of repute have made
the dismal prophecy that popular
government will end in this coun.
try within this century. The timid
man is certain that the end is near.
They have visions of republicanism
fading in the darkness of night and
monarchy or autocracy coming
boldly forward out of the gloom to
intrench itself ere the rising of
the new sun of better times.
Born Of War.
That fear is stimulated by two
other classes-those whose blind
M ffSSav 1c,lnf sNh I'D Ell
whose garments are soiled by the
same filth that has thus far been
found along the muddy trail.
We are living in the aftermath
Of the worlds most frightful war.
Greed and avarice are the war-mak.
ers. Treachery and deceit attend
them. Every war makes its
traitors as well as its heroes.
Lust, vengeance and corruption fol-
low in the wake.
Government, as a whole, is
distinctly honest. The veteran EN-.
ployes. who have devoted their
lives to the public service, went
through the war unsmirched. Cor
ruption was carried in largely by
agents of certain private business
enterprises who, having no code Of
honor, were the bane of the honest
tradesman and manufacturer.
Theirs was a 200 per cent Amer
icanism" which was fortunately
rare in the public service.
The wars end brought an appreei-
alton OF the value of our public
domain which had hitherto escaped
their notice. Americas resources
are exceeded nowhere In the world
save possibly in Russia. They
found a new administration. with
here and there a member of il
drunk with power. The sky was
the limit. The public resources
were looked upon as legitimate prey
for private profit. Bribery Of a
public official was a mere Incl.
dent in the daily adventures of these
who We're playing for the big spoils.
Billions at Stake.
Congress found these conditions
Billions were at stake. the public
service had fallen to low estate
Even it's own skirts were not free
from stain. The public domain was
being despoiled. Congress had
either to strike at the evil or to
smile at 1t with the complacency
of those SNUG, satisfied gentlemen
who were working on the theory
that a 100000 majority was q
license from the people TO loot
pillage and plumber.
Congress appropriates the public
monies-more than three billions
a year. More care tnan realized
by some of the public is frequently
exercised in appropriating this
money. Congress passes out the
money, to be spent by administra
tive officials. Surely Congress has
| the duty to scrutinize from time
to time how that money has beer
spent. The evils thus far exposed
have been found for the most part
in the administrative circles.
The Investigations will prove OF
! great value to the country. The
public property will be recovered
from the spoilsmen. Greater care
will be used in the future by. the
officials who spend the public
money. The traitors will e~driver
out of the public service. The weak
vacillating or dishonest public
servant Of the future may be halt
ed by the fear that he will be ex
| posed in similar investigation
Honest officials will carry on, with
better zest and courage.
Truth Protects Democracy.
| Democratic government rests
upon the knowledge which comes
to the people. They have passed
through severe crises in the pas
successfully. Their instinct for thu
right is sounder than the mature
deliberations" of any intellectual
social or financial aristocracy. De
m!ocracy will live as long as tn,
people get the truth.
ONLY THREE COUNTRIES
ENrEp ~ vNApSN paIcpN