Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-04-28
WHO TROUBLES THE wATERs7

WHO THOO5IeS '7e
ID It possible certain publicists
have recently been reading "Puddn-
head Wilson" and have subscribed to
tho advice: "Tell the truth or trump
but get the trick?
Isn't 1t possible some publicists are
OVERRIDING the communistio red nag
business. when called upon to defend
that which is being criticized quite
generally by those who have and Will
have no Affiliations with commun-
ism?
Isn't It possible tho public Is so
reminded that thieves have gotten
away since time immemorial by
shouting as they ran: "stop thiet'?
For instance. If we 60 afleld for
examples, cahlegrams tell OF a COM
munist uprising in Bulgaria. OF dras-
Ito. measures taken for suppression.
Now. while few in this country are
acquainted with conditions in Bull
garia, there is what appears to be ex-
cellent evidence that the peasantry
OF Bulgaria have been and are being
exploited. that this is an uprising OF
the peasantry, aided and abetted'
probably, from communist sources,
for communism delights to fish in
troubled waters.
But who is responsible for troub-
ling the waters? That is getting to
be q very important question, not
alone in Bulgaria, but nearer home.
We are in receipt of what purports
to be a proof Of an article in The
New York Commercial by Fred r.
Marvin. the first sentence Of which
is: 1.-THE so-called oil scandal has
had its day in court" Continuing It
states: 1.-THE evidence produced in
this haven OF security proves clearly
there was no scandal, etc.
Really? We had received an alto
gether different impression from the
news respecting that so-called trial
and not even Mr.. Marvin's article
removes it. rather emphasizes it. Not
that we are in doubt respecting the
purpose Of the article to make it ap-
pear that "the men who have been
maligned and abused" were really
patriots. that they did not seek to do
these things for which they are crit
icised; that the Government really
is the beneficiary: that the contracts
were based wholly on a desire to
put into effect preparedness policy
worked out by the naval war board"
Indeed, at the beginning of the
controversy that impression capti-
waited many, who concluded the
charges were largely of a political
origin. and but for politics they
might never have been made. There
may be, probably is much of truth N
the statement that the policy Of con-
servation was begun by disinterested
persons, who believed that the prop
er step to take. but
That "but" has been thrown full
in the face Of the public by impli-
Gated parties who refused to testify
at the trial, Albert 3. Fall for one,
\ and prominent oil men wanted as
witnesses but evidently taking care
to be out Of the country beyond
reach. Nowhere on the part of those
against whom suspicion has been
levelled have we noticed any concern
to give evidence in court. Many
common minded folk are not favor
ably impressed by such apparent
lodging Of the issue.
Neither will this impression be re-
moved by charging those who criti-
cize with being communists. Doubt
less communists are rejoicing over
this attitude on the part of the ac-
cused. As they wish to destroy gov
ernment why shouldn't they rejoice
But there are many, many people,
who are no more communists or So
cialists than is John D. Rockefeller,
who feel there is cause for suspicion
That there are some trying to hide
the rents in their garments by wrap
ping themselves in the old flag. That
should not be debased to any such a
purpose.