Evening star., 1924-08-12

OF income taxes could no longer be
denied, the country was presented
with the Mellon bill, offered by the
administration to the people as the
last word on that subject. When 1T
met the test of impartial analysis
here, too. there appeared the motive
to favor the few possessors OF swol-
crate means Under Democratic in
itiative and Democratic guidance a
bill was passed in Its stead, so chang
ing the weight and emphasis OF the
proposed reduction as to give the
greater relief to those whose tax pay
merits pressed upon their scale Oh
living. Although the executive ap-
proval OF this bill received was
grudging and reluctant, not even the
submissive conyention at Cleveland
dared to suggest that the Mellon Dill
be revived and adopted as a substi-
tute.
I'VE assert in our platform that
the Republican party believes that
national prosperity must originate
with the special interests and seep
down through the channels of trade
to the less favored Industries. to the
wage earners and small salaried en-
ployes 1t has accordingly en-
throned privilege and nurtured self
ishness.' l repeat the words. and
register the emphatic dissent of the
Democratic party from that doctrine.
Il charge the Republican party
with corruption in administration,
with favoritism to privileged classes
in legislation. / charge it also with
division in council and impotence in
action. No political party has the
right to hold the reins of government
unless 1T can exhibit the cardinal viz
tues Of honesty, sincerity and unity.
OF these the last is by no means the
least important No matter how
lofty the ideals or how pure the pur-
poses of any party. the country is
not served unless it possesses both
the will and the power to carry these
ideals and purposes into effect. When
1t becomes leaderless and inco-
herent mob it must give way to some
rival better fitted for the task of
government.
Draws Picture OF situation.
Need 1 dwell on the picture that
the last twelve months presents? On
one side the Executive. on the other
the members of his party in both
houses Of Congress. seeking different
aims, entertaining different views.
advocating different measures. The
existing world court. The request
falls on dull ears until finally the
leader of his party in the Senate
brings forward, manifestly for OBJ
structive purposes, an entirely differ
ent scheme. The Executive demands
the Mellon bill. and members of his
party in both houses of Congress,
regular and insurgent, hasten to re-
ject it. He disapproves the adjusted
compensation act, but Congress re-
enacts 1t by the required two-thirds
majority. Congress passes a meas
ure granting to poStal employees an
increase In their meager salaries. The
President dfsapproves IT. He protests
against the restriction on Japanese
immigration: Congress adopts it.
When ever before did a party in con-
troll OF the Executive and OF a ma
jority in both houses of Congress
present so pftiable a spectacle of dis
cord and division? BY what right
can a political organization SO led
and SO disciplined appeal for a fur
ther lease OF power? Four years ago
the Republican party. in snarline
criticism OF the great leader then in
office, promised to end executive au-
tocracy.' 1t has fallen into the Dit
that 1t dug, for it's efforts in that d.
rectlon have succeeded beyond its
widest dreams. An Executive who
cannot or will not lead, Congress
that cannot and Will not follow-how
can good government exist under
such conditions? ~
Nor Is 1t In domestic matters alone
that the symptoms of this creeping
paralysis have appeared Not only
nave the Executive recommendation
Tor adherence to the world court,
Qs
american traditions and exampla
been nouted and ignored, but no
evidence ia In sight that the Republi.
can party as now constituted IAN
frame and carry to its conclusion any
definite and consistent foreign policy.
-Four years ago We were promised
a new association OF nations to be
created in order to protect and pre-
serve the peace of the world. No
single proposal of this sort has Yet
appeared from any OF those who SO
loudly promised It. With the recon
structfon of Europe Weighing heavily
on the world; with American econ
omic life dwarfed and stunted By the
Interruption of world commerce; with
the agricultural regions OF the West
sinking into bankruptcy because OF
the loss OF their foreign markets. we
have stood by as powerless spectators,
onering to the world nothing but
private charity and Individual ad-
vice. 1t Is we'll enough to praise in
unmeasured terms the charity OF the
American people. 1t is not an un.
worthy pride that makes us dwell
upon the efforts individual Americans
have made toward the solution of
great world problems.
Q1estiea Witch Presses,
But the question which presses
itself upon the mind and conscience
of the American people and will not
be denied IL what they, as q nation.
speaking through their Government,
have done or dared to do in this great
field OF action. The Washington con-
ference alone aside, and that Of more
than doubtful value, what single con-
tributien has the United States OF
America, as an organized nation
among nations, made to world peace
in the last four yearsg
individual Americans have gone
abroad, but they went without the
blessing Of their Government. 'Ua.
Official observers have appeared at
International conferences where
America, if present at all, should have
been present as an equal among
equals. When but yesterday three
Americans went to the conference on
reparations, whose fruitful outcome
all the world desires, Washington was
prompt to disclaim all responsibility
Tor their going though eager to take
credit for whatever they might ac-
one of them has called 4 "bootlegging
participation
"Amaxin8 CoAfessions OF Impotence.