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The Commoner
VOL21, rfoX-3
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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.
