The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-05
Hnover's Inaugural

+ IT is the custom for Presidents to limit thelr
inaugural address to statements of general principles
1eu, have departed from that custom HERBERT
hoover repeated in the main his general lines d
nolicv laid down during the campaign, and lett 10
the future the definite solutions of the problems winch
confront him.
This is typical Of the man. He is less famous tor
his professions than for his practices. He mas oeen
accustomed to doing things first, and talking about
them later-n at ALL
Mowers chief concern in his inaugural was what
he called the failure of system OF criminal JUS
tice," particularly prohibition enforcement Inc
country shares his concern. And what commentary
on the prohibition law, that decade after enact
ment it has created such host OF new problems
threatening good government!
The new President touched the heart Oh tne PROM
bition enforcement failure when he said, "A large
responsibility rests directly upon our citizens lhere
would be little traffic in illegal liquor only GRIM
mails patronized it.
Such being the case, there does not seem to us to
he much hope for the experiment" The most per-
feet machinery cannot enforce law which is resented
and dsobeyed by such large number of law-abiding
citizens" The answer in our Judgment can be tound
only in modification of the law.
s Meanwhile fair trial should be given the law
bv improving the enforcement machinery and by
scientific study of its social and political consequences
Hoover proposes to do both. That is IS much as coud
be expected of any President at this time
The second thing on Hoover's mind is the rela-
Ntion of government business. He reiterated MS
belief that regulation private enterprise and not
government ownership operation is the course
rightly to be pursued"
But that of course, merely states the question:
without answering it. The proof of the regulation
is in the regulation. Government regulation IN the
past has solved the problems of sick industries
such as COAL and has not protected adequately the
public from such industries as power and public
utilities.
The American people as a whole have .Hoover's
dstate for government ownership and operation OF
business, but they also are tired OF being exploited
by certain business groups.
Unless Hoover is more successful than past Presf-
dents have been in making government regulation
actually effective the people probably will turn to
limited government operation or control IN electric
power and certain other industries the alternative
Several national problems of great Importance
we're not discussed in the address These prob
lens include: tendency toward executive usurpa
ton of legislative authority, and control OF
the nominally independent federal commissions on
tariff trade and interstate commerce; the growth OF
bgotry and interference in government by partisan
groups; the increasing violation by officials, lnJunc-
ton judges employers, and police Of civil liberties
guaranteed by the constitution and unemployment.
These issues in part will test the administration,
The high point of the inaugural was Hoover's
declaration II for this administration record
OF further having contributed to advancing the
of peace"
He added: Peace can be promoted by the nmi-
tasion of arms and by creation of the instrument
tates for peaceful settlement OF controversies. But
It wiz become a reality only through sef-restraint
and active effort in friendlineSs and helpfuness."
Specifically, he advised adherence to the world
court and invited the world on the basis OF the KEEL
logg ant-war treaty to undertake greater limitation
of Armament"
It " as a leader toward international peace and
Justice that the United States and the rest OF the
world hive most faith in Herbert Hoover