The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-05-24

All rights OF repupllcatlOn OF all OtIleI
matter herein are also reserved.
Changing Government
One wonders, as President Roose-
welt seeks permission to make tariff
deals, II he does not regret the ne
cessity for asking additional grants
of power. The people have supported
him so Fundamentally and congress
has responded so nobly to the public's
demand that the president must re-
greet the necessity which compels him
to ask more authority in dealing with
our foreign neighbors.
But the simple fact is he can do
nothing else. When the American
delegates engage in conference around
the council table at the economic par
ley it must necessarily be game Of
give and take. Viewed from any angle
it will be the biggest poker game in
history for the highest stakes on rec
ord.
If our players are to be even re-
motely successful they must be free
from the supervision of second-guess-
ers, many Of them with political axes
to grind. Hence Mr.. Roosevelt, in ef-
feet, is asking for advance ratifica-
ton of the commitments which Amer
lea may make at London.
Three of the men already slated to
be named on the delegation will stand
out prominently in the public mind.
Secretary Hull, a highminded gentle
man, is nevertheless a cautious indi-
vidual. In poker-playing parlance he
hold EN- close to his chest" and makes
no bets in the hope Of filling inside
.traights."
Senator johnson of California Is a
progressive who will command espec-
ial respect in the Northwest. A good
many people have disagreed with
Hiram but none has challenged his
sincerity. At the game of political
poker he has proved an expert.
James M. Cox OF Ohio was once his
party's candidate for president and
has proved himself an able business
man. As publisher Of several import
ant newspapers he has made wide
contacts and his experience includes
three terms as governor Of one of the
nations most populous states. At
heart he is crusader and his efforts
at London will be directed toward add
ing crowning success to an excellent
public record.
Y 4 K
These men, advised from Washing
ton by the president, will, with their
colleagues. be the American govern
ment at London if the grant Of pow
er Is given the president. They will
be able to speak with authority and
without the suspicion-creating delay
which must always ensue when such
matters are subject to review by per-
sons remote from the atmosphere in
which the arrangements are made.
II all the ablest diplomats Of his
tory were aligned with America at
London, the deal which they might
make would hardly meet with univer-
sal approval in this country. Where
SO many toes are involved as is the
case with the tariff, someone is sure
to get stepped on. That is something
which we shall have to expect, even
though we hope none of the injuries
will prove serious. The ultimate re~
suit for which all Of us hope, how
ever, Is that the general effect on
American agriculture, industry and
finance will be good. If that proves
to be the case any individual or Sec
tional disadvantages will have to be
overlooked.
In reviewing the tremendous grants
OF power given and asked by the pres
ident. 1t is worth noting that we have
swerved far from the path Of Demo-
cracy as practiced In recent years.
The checks and balances Of the three
different branches OF the government
still remain. but they are functionins
in different way than has been the
case for the past several generations
Our methods Of operation are ap-
preaching those Of foreign govern
ments where. as long as the parlia.
ment retains confidence in the group
holding office it Is permitted to dc
pretty much as it pleases.
Nevertheless, one wonders II thu
system which we now have entered
is not more in accord with the in.
tentions Of the constitution maker.
than that into which we had drifted
In recent years the president has beer
q sort OF glorified office boy for con
gress, the lawmakers telling the ex
cutive branch Of the government botl
what to do and the details Of how II