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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1921)
Twirrr wim$p? The Commoner VOL21, rfoX-3 j J. Ik ii1 l ih. I t l K B'fe- rv Harding Begins Well President Harding's inaugural address will make a favorable impression on the country. Ho ronows his pledge to aid in securing international co-operation for disarmament and world peace. Two quotations indicate the thoughts uppermost In his mind; co-operation fa counsel, and inde pendence in action. "Wo are ready," he says, "to associate our selves with the nations of the world, great and small, for conference, for counsel, to seek the expressed views of world opinion, to recommend a way to approximate disarmament and relievo the crushing burdens of military and naval es tablishments Wo elect to partlcipapte in sug gesting plans for mediation, conciliation and arbitration and would gladly join in that expressed conscience of progress, which seeks to" clarify and write the laws of international relationship, and establish a world court for the disposition of such justiciable questions as na tions are agreed to submit thoroto. In expressing aspirations, in sooking practical plans, in translating humanity's new concept of righteous ness, justice and its hatred of war into recomr mended action wo are ready most heartily to unito, but every commitment must be made in the exercise of our national sovereignty.." Also: "We sense the call of the human heart for fellowship, fraternity and co-operation. We crave friendship and harbor no hate. But America, our America, the, America builded on the foundation laid by the inspired fathers, can be a party to no permanent military alliance. It can enter into no political commitments nor assume any economic obligations or subject our decisions to any other than our own authority." ' Ho speaks encouragingly of conciliation in labor disputes: "I had rather submit our Industrial contro versies to the conference table in advance than to, ar settlement table after conflict and suffering. Tho earth ,is thirsting for the cup of good will. Understanding is its fountain source. I would like to acclaim an era of good feeling amid de pendable prosperity and all tho blessings which attend." And here.is an indictment of profiteering that would indicate an intention- to deal firmly with this national evil: "If, despite this attitude, war is again forced upon us, I earnestly hope a way may be found, wftfch will ' unify our individual and collective strongth and consecrate all America materially and spiritually, body and soul, to national defense. I can vision the ideal republic where every man and woman is called under the flag for 'assignment to duty, for whatever service, military or civic, the individual is best fitted; where we may call to universal service every plant, agency or a facility, all in the sublime sacrifice for country and NOT ONE PENNY OF WAR PROFIT SHALL INURE TO THE BENE FIT OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL, CORPORA TION AND COMBINATION, BUT ALL ABOVE THE NORMAL SHALL FLOW INTO THE DE FENSE CHEST OF THE NATION. THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG, SOME THING OUT OF ACCORD WITH THE IDEALS OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY WHEN ONE PORTION OF OUR CITIZENSHIP TURNS ITS ACTIVITY TO PRIVATE GAIN AMID DEFENSIVE WAR WHILE ANOTHER IS FIGHTING, SACRIFICING OR DYING FOR NATIONAL PRESERVATION." His views on the tariff are orthodox, speaking from the .Republican standpoint, but there is a ray of hope in his recognition of the fact that we must buy it we would sell. The conclusion is as fine a combination of noble sentiments as can be found in the whole history of inaugural addresses. He proclaims service as "the supreme commitment of life" and follows this with an acknowledgment of hia trust in God and of his faith in popular govern ment. The boys in school will be using for declamation tho closing words: "Service is the supreme commitment of life I would rejoice to acclaim the era of the Golden ' Rule and crown it with tho autocracy of service I pledge an administration wherein all tho , agencies of government are called to serve ami ' ever promote an understanding of government purely as an expression of tho popular will. "One cannot stand in this presence and h'a im mindful of the tremendous ?espoSs?bU?ty The" world upheaval has added heavily to our tasks but jrtth the realization comes the surge of hiKh resolve and there is reassurance in belief in the God-given destiny of our republic. If I felt that there is to be sole responsibility in the executive for the America of tomorrow, I should shrink from the burden. But here are a hundred mil lions, with common concern and shared responsi bility, answerable to God and country. The republic summons them to their duty and I in vito co-operation. "I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humility of spirit and implore the favor and guidance of God in His heaven. With these I am unafraid and confidently face the future. "I have taken tho solemn oath of office on that pasage of Holy writ wherein it is asked: " 'What doth the Lord. require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and walk Humbly with thy God?' "This, I plight, to God and country." W. J: BRYAN. VICTORY NOT YET FINAIi The' following advertisement appeared in the Baltimore Sun on December 28, 1920: "Consider these facts, Mr. Citizen. Then Act! '"The Volstead law is visionary, unnecessarily drastic, ineffective and blasphemous. No ap propriations of public money can possibly bb large enough to provide for even u semblance of enforcement. "It has made law-breakers of a large proportion of our population, and is helping to create a nation of liars, sneaks and hypocrites. The illicit liquor traffic, with its new types of crimes and criminals, is a result of it. It fosters drugs and dope. It is a departure from the principles of liberty laid down by our fathers, and is an unwarranted invasion df per sonal rights. Its failure is breeding a disre spect for all law in the minds of our people a serious national menace. "It will be repealed if those opposed to it will join our association and merely let them selves be counted, so that congressmen may know how many of us there are. "Such an association has been formed, with branches in many states. Its membership, 'al ready large, includes women and men promi nent in the pulpit, in business and the pro fessions, in society and in politics." It shows that the fight is hot yet over hut such evidences of activity on the part of the wets will arouse the drys. There will be no backward step. Time for Remedy The following item carried by tlie Associated Press wiir interest the farmers: "Washington, Feb 28. The federal farm loan lite was held constitutional today bytlie Supreme Court. This is the act under which land banks were established to extend loans to farmers. "Millions of dollars in loans to farmers have been held up pending a decision of the court in this case, which was brought by Charles W. Smith, a stockholder in the Kansas City Title & Trust Company, who sought an injunction to re strain that institution from investing its funds in bonds iosued by the farm loan banks. "The act was attacked on the ground that Congress was without constitutional, authority to establish farm loan banks and to exempt their bonds from taxation. Justice Day, who. rendered the opinion for the court, said the power of Con gress to establish banks had, in a broad sense, been upheld by the Supreme Court in the days of Chief Justice Marshall. j "The court is sustaining federal court decrees dismissing injunction proceedings brought by Mr. Smith also said that Congress had the au thority to exempt the bonds of the bank "from taxation." After nearly ayear's delay, during wh'ich the farmers lost many millions of dollars, the Su preme Court sustains the constitutionality of the Farm Loan act. Is it not time for a" law that will protect the public from such suits? Should one individual be permitted to. in jure 'millions? W. J., BRYAN. LUMBER PROFITEERS A St. Iiouis dispatch, dated Feb. 23 says: "Charging violation of the Sherman antitrust laws, the government today filed in federal dis trict court here injunction against the Southern Pine association, 61 corporations and 69 individ uals. "v "Granting of a permanent injunction" for the purposes specified would amount to dissolution, of tho association, it was explained. "The suit allegesthe association has operated to curtail production to enhance prices and that as a result profits on sales of yellow pine ad vanced from $6.41 a thousand feet in 1918 to $30.45 in 1920." , The above item marks the beginning of an other suit against profiteers. God-speed the courts and hasten conviction. The Federal Trade com mission reports a conspiracy so unblushing as to be almost beyond belief. What is to be said in defense of Cur government if it is not able to protect the public from an organized raid unon the homes, of the land? The crime begins in grand larceny, but the criminals must know that many lives will be sacrificed because of the ex posure they compel, Justice waits. Jr . P'RnTTTTlTrpTrkXr iATTTTiYmo .Attention is called to. the jfollo Wing news item published in the Chicago American oh February 1, 1921: ' mv "In 1920, 125 patients were treated- at thig home, 107 alcoholics, 16 drug Addicts! and two mild mental cases. During the years, 1910 to 1919 inclusive,, the average number of patients was 921 a year, And of these an average of 56 per cent per, year had the. worst form , of al colholism, delirium tremens. 'Last year the home had only three cases of delirium 'tremens. In the old days before prohibition, one out of 15 men coming to the home suffered inHhis way. Now only one out of 41. "The decrease of alcoholism .among w.omen is even more noticeable. Of 47 women received last year, only 16 were treated for alcoholism. against 78 in 1919 and 106 in 1918. T" - There is a decided increase " in the age. of 2f e ?aKnGIJt8'. m?st of whom nw -between 40 and 50 instead of under 40.. .' , ;"$ h? Gt, nere are those who Bay at Prohibi tion is a failure, ....-,. MUNICIPAL TRADE COMMISSION JhG- C) fy 0f J?Iami Pla" s adopting a new o ty darter. One of the clauses of the new charter will authorize the city commission to create a Municipal Trade ComSon wHh powers similar to those of the Federal Trade commission. This is a very much needed board Every city should have one. uoara trlBt,k Tenn' 5 m?vIng in the same direc- Sffl? ,or th0 eleotL 0( "- Time will show which Is the better, one com- USEE" or ?evera1' Potl1 1,lans wiSS'SSSS The money saved In the forenoon of lta en ?,'eI"lt0 rest aurin " weary hours otX afternoon., . A MATTER OF MONEY ; im atwh!J?ae wil1 be fou London, dis patch that wm be read with interest by;-those ioWf in th.e ,Sabbath nation. Thndotf actors have voted against Sunday playing thev rh?oman even,wben nt religious. They need rest for the mind and body even those who are not as sensitive as they might be to their spiritual needs When the Sunday question s la?SvfR:ftderi,t?0d !t iU e found to be crusacL ? hi ? Tn6y' The anti-Sabbath rarinta W !l by th0Se grqedy for box-office 535? lh? breVeriSesnal Uber Wa3 STUDY . Study is a letter of introduction to "all. that man has recorded on the. written page; i" gives one the companionship of books, and the benl Su? ihG. experlence of othrs. It acauaints him with history and with passing events- mak5 known (o him the laws that God hasmn?essed only money butVtisfac bus S'monnno into wifcht ! tRitore of lve might!)? in eve?y walk of life tad """ 00unta one can render? TOlU rt2g i - W-j.
