Evening star., 1924-01-29
Senate Investigation of Box
Fails to Appeal to Editors

Just another inyestig seems
to be the verdict of the nations edi-
tors on the action taken by the Sem
ate foreign relations committee to
md out what was behind" the Box
peace prize plan and award. The atti-
tude Of the Philadelphia editor while
on the stand met with commendation
or criticism exactly as the views of
the writer on Americas foreign policy
affected his analysis. But there
seems to be q general agreement that
no good purpose. and little new infor-
ma tion, has been developed by the in
quiry.
There is nothing in the Box peace
plan to which the people could OBJ
ject," the Appleton Post Crescent ar
gues, and the senatorial inquiry has
also emphasized that congressional
comment reflects the fixed, unalter-
able convictions-in the majority Of
cases, prejudices," of the members.
To which the Cincinnati Enquirer
adds there is plenty of important
business before the Senate to occupy
the time and the energies of the sena-
tors. 1t is the obligation of the SEN
ators under their oath to attend to it.
When the world court proposal comes
up In the Senate they may rant and
roar, as they no doubt will. The Box
peace plan is not before the Senate.
1t is before the public" And the San
Antonio Light feels the suggestions
that back of this plan there IS a dark
conspiracy, are at least far
fetched" while the Fort Wayne jour
nal Gazette argues there is nothing
to prevent al the opponents of Amer
lean participation in an international
court or other instrumentality voting
against the proposal"
y x 4 Il
Tho opinion OF the Peoria Tran
script, however, is different because it
feels "Mr. Box will be able to pre-
bearing the nominal Endorsement of q
large number Of people, but the vote
will not prove anything, except an adj
mitted desire of the people for uni
yersal peace" Which fact seems to
convince the Corning Leader that il
the senators continue devoting their
time ito hunt for dark and deyilish
conspiracies they won't have much
time left for Secretary MELONS tax
reduction plan. Propaganda indeed!
Every man who expresses an opinion
on tax reduction or the bonus bill is
spreading propaganda designed to In
fuence public opinion and the Sen
ate" Which brings from the Fort
Worth Star Telegram the suggestion
that ''if it should ever. become appar-
ent that the voters OF the nation re-
sent the practice of playing politics
with our national honor the lame duck
club would acquire a number of lusty
members" Then again. if the Box
plan, why not other inquiries? the
Springfield State Journal demands
because, If this is propaganda ut is an
Illustration of the wild tangents on
which the legislative mind has taken
fight. OF course the country ID fuu
of pEepa ganda in which party ana m
,dividuaIs are seeking. to influence
oninion. National sentiment almost
niitY,out. exception is favorable to the
Mellon tax reduction plan. If the
Senate wants q subject to investigate
let it consider why 1t does not pay
attention TO public opinion. Fully
agreeing with this position, ane BALI sia
about the only matter into which the
comrnfttee may not inquire Is why
congressional Investigating commit
tees are falling into contempt
rnatteS nrobably needs the attention
!of Congress- more than any other.
X !; x
.sxUa thank whatever gods may be
eor tI,e unconuuerable soul of Senator
aJiu,' Reed of Missouri, as spacious as
the basin of the Father of Waters
from which he halls and as constant
as the baked catfish that give epicur:..
can celebrity to his home town."
someWfat POLITICALLY asserts the New
ark News, which is certain Reed will
"flnd propagandists," and sarcasti-
ically inauires isn't he propagand-
ist now with his committee loaded
with all his might to offset the effect
of Mr. Bok's peace ,move?, Honest
Injun. aren't you, Jim? Giddap Ros-
inante." -,
The Wilkes-Barr Record, however,
refuses to treat the inquiry lightly,