Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-31


vided liberal appropriations for the
construction Of ships for the carriage
of our commerce. Democrats nave
never advocated and do not favor as
A permanent policy Government owner
ship and operation of shipping lines II
private enterprise will provide the funds
and agencies required to give Ameri-
can shippers the necessary carrying
service under our own flag. The Re-
publican party has been quick to re-
Spond In private influences and the
propaganda Of our rivals In commerce,
while Democrats have been concerned
primarily with the interests of our own
people
We have refused to approve reckless
sacrifice and favoritism in the sale al
vessels We have insisted that the serv-
ice OF the United States Shipping Board
shall he continued without discrimina-
ton against sections or ports until IT.
becomes practicable TO transfer the
lines for private operation under con-
ditions that will protect our commerce
in peace times against determinations
which are certain to he imposed upon
II II transported largely under foreign
flags: and 1t must be made certain that
In the event of war the merchant yes
sells, reasonably required as auxiliaries
to naval operations shall be available
for prompt use without reliance upon
the shipping facilities of other powers.
While the necessity for Government
ships continues, and until they can be
transferred under satisfactory condl-
tons for private operation. the service
should be kept efficient and should be
improved to meet competition with for
cien lines and to provide for the ex-
nanSion OF our commerce.
Political Corruption.
Honesty in public affairs is OF tram
scendent Importance Corruption is the
red signal OF decadence Corrupt cleo
tions breed dishonest public officers
That this issue exists Is proved by the
fact that both of the major parties
have so declared in their platforms.
That the platform makers at Kansas
City dread the issue is shown in their
effort to anticipate the declaration on
the subject by the Democratic party
While rare cases of fraud may be re-
gerdcd as unavoidable In any business
comps rnhle in volume IN that of the
United States. II becomes matter NJ
genera, political concern when the
party in power proves so derelict as 10
fall to prevent shocking and repeated
departures from standards OF common
honesty In the transaction OF the public
business The basis for the platform
declarations referred to is found in no.
torious and criminal breaches of duty
in several of the executive departments
instances which have come TO light
during the last seven years The whole
sale frauds perpetrated nv Republican
Office holders since March 4. 1921. have
prompted pledges in language which i'm
plies recognition Of the necessity for
reform.
In the Kansas City platform ii Is
asserted by the Republicans:
we stand for honesty In government
for the appointment of officials whose
integrity cannot be questioned"
II this principle had been applied by
the Republican administration II would
not have bern necessary for the Senate
10 advise the discharge Of an Attorney
General who had fla2rantly disregarded
the obligations OF his Once and con-
trihuted To the pollution of the foun-
tain of Justice The country would have
been spared the spectacle OF the Execu-
tive sustaining this faithless officer until
public sentiment compelled dismissal,
and the dismissal would have been made
without an expression ot confidence
in the faithless officcr by the Chief
Executive, II the reputation Of 'hr
Government had been duly saferuardeti,
here would have been no necessity fnf
the Senate To urge the retirement of the
Secretary Of the Navy. who had blindly
approved the corrupt contract by which
the Nations oil reserves were hartared
TO private interests through the bribery
nf fellow cabinet officer, the Secretary
Of the Interior Surely 1t Is OF greater
consequences that national administra-
ton shall sustain and Justify the pub
lie confidence by the prompt dismissal
Of faithless cabinet officers than that
the feelings of such officers shall be
spared by retaining them in authority
after their misconduct has been dis
closed
Recalls Breaches Of Trust.
Breaches Of trust in the Veterans
Bureau and in the Alien Property Gus
todian's office: the secret eXactlon nj
enormous campaign funds from, de-
spoilers of the public domain, and the
widespread sale Of favors and appoint"
ments by patronage dispensers disclose
conditions which should have been cor
rected long ago and which make the
platform declaration of the Repnhli-
can partt for honesty in government"
whose integrity cannot be questioned.
appear insincere and for the purpose
81 securing another lease on power
The Democratic party pledges itself
TO rescue the Government from those
who have betrayed their trust by dis
gracing IT,. and supports It's claims 10
the confidence of the voters by compar-
inc the last eight years Of Republican
mala with the record OF
our great Democratic President. Wood
row Wilson During his presidency To
the usual administrative responsibilities
were added the duty OF carrying on the
crea test war Of all times Numerous
committees Of investigation created by
the opposition after II had secured con-
troll Of the Congress Immediately to'-
lowing the war disclosed no breach NJ
trust no instance OF dishonesty on the
part of any Democratic once holder
Throughout almost four terms the
Democratic nominee for President mas
served as Chief Executive Of New York
During all his service the searchlight
NJ hostile scrutiny has been thrown in
full glare on his administrations That
Gov. Smiths record has stood the test
Is evidence OF that extraordinary
executive ability and fearlessness re-
ulired In n President of the United
States, who Is expected To safeguard the
Government against such thieves and
crooks AS have plundered II during re-
cent years,
Issue Seen I'm Gifts.
Campaign contributions and fair
elections are intimately related To hon
est government Here again both plat
forms recognize an issue.
The Republicans say:
Economy. honesty and decency In
the conduct OF political campaigns are
necessity If representative govern
ment is 10 he preserved to the people