Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1918 — More Confidence Needed. [ARTICLE]

More Confidence Needed.

Former President Taft voiced an imporant truth when he said: “Were Mr. Garfield a coal baron or some official who is considered an expert on coal and transportation problems, I do not believe there would have been half of the storm of protest that has arisen since the fuel conservation order of the United States fuel administrator was issued.” In other words, the people did not have confidence that the proper course had been taken. They felt that possibly Mr. Garfield had made an unnecessary move that might have beenavoided under more skillful management.

A similar lack of confidence is back of the sentiment that previals concerning Secretary Baker, Secretary Daniels and Secretary McAdoo. The navy has come up to expectations in spite of rather than because of the secretary, according to the belief of those who are in a position to judge. In the very nature of things only technically trained men could have charge of ships. Those men had worked out a program of action and were prepared to do something when called for service. It might, at least, be said to the credit of Secretary Daniels that he apparently has not seriously interfered with those experts who knew what, should be done. But even he has ndt the confidence of the public that should be reposed in the head of our navy. He is classed with Secretary Baker by the members of the Senate military affairs committee, which has prepared a bill to take from both of them practjcally all authority in the management of the war. A bill Will be presented by the committee this morning providing for a war cabinet of three to control the general direction of the war. As originally drawn, it included the secretary of war and the secretary of the navy as members ex officio. Those two lave been deliberately eliminated by he .committeemen. Democrats and Republicans alike voting for the change. Such a move in Europe would be ooked upon as a lack of confidence demanding resignation from a selfrespecting Cabinet officer. The proposal of a war cabinet to take charge n itself shows a lack of confidence in those who are now responsible for war activities. The overyhelming vote of the Senate asking that the fuel administrator’s order be delayed five days for an investigation was nothing but plain declaration of a fear that a mistake was about to be made.

If, as Mr, Taft says, Dr. Garfield were a coal baron or some official who is considered an expert on fuel and transportation problems, his ultimatum would have been accepted without protest. The people are ready to submit to anything that is needful. If Newton D. Baker and Josephus Daniels were considered as authorities on military and naval affairs or as expert executives, the Senate would not today be considering a bill to create a new board to do what they are supposed • o do. If Secretary McAdoo were looked upon as an expert there would be none of the present anxiety and criticism regarding the government’s control of the railways. The trouble is that the public his not confidence in them. The attitude of members of Congress showa that thq feeling is neither partisan nor sectional. It is widespread and real, and as such is serious. The morale of a people in war is little less important than that of the’ men at the front. The soldiers in the trenches may be depended upon to obey orders, just as will those of us ~ who have remained behind. Who doubts that soldiers will fight better and larder if they feel that the plan of campaign has been worked out skillfully and that the officers in command know their business?

The people of this country have responded nobly to every call that las been made since the war was precipitated. Their attitude has been that of unquestioning sapport of their leaders. It should continue to jw such, and if it does not the fault be with the leaders and not with 4he people. It is a grievous mistake to permit any lack of confidence to develop. The people have a right to feel that the best and ablest men in the nation have been picked to direct our war activities. Ability to command the confidence of the people is almost as essential now as is technical skill or executive capacity. Secretaries Baker, Daniels and McAdoo may be stronger men than any who could be named for their places, yet, if the people do not believe in them their usefulness as leaders is seriously impaired. Enough has developed recently to demonstrate, conclusively that they have not that degree of confidence either from the public or from Congress, that men in their positions should command. —Indianapolis Star.