Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1919 — EDITORIAL PARAGRAPHS [ARTICLE]

EDITORIAL PARAGRAPHS

Indianapolis News: Notwithstanding the frequent testimony given by leather dealers and shoe maruufacturers before conventions, in hotel lobbies and similar places where they were not embarrassed by the formality of an oath, that the price of shoes was going still higher, such persons in testifying before the grand jury at Boston said that the price of shoes would be lower. It seems to make a difference where testimony is given. President Wilson’s league of nations falls to please some score of Republican senators. But it may be asked whether Mr. Lodge’s league would suit Mr. Nelson, or whether anybody’s league would satisfy Mr. Borah?* Republican leaders of congress

have pretended that they were preparing a program of legislation upon domMtie Imo*. There la now a fine opportunity to act The president and the people have outlined a program. Republican ••investigations” are revealing some startling differences between the conduct of the SpanishAmerican war on a -a ••n of “*mhaltned” beef and the winning of the world* greatest conflict on wholesome food. The Republicans promised us last autumn that their rlectlon would result in lower taxea Now comes Mr. with a proposal for' a high protective tariff. A. general high tariff is a high tax. Speaker Gillett apparently believes that by refusing to recognize Democrats who have something to propose for the good of the country he can ignore all that means trouble for the Republicans. Republicans wanted to take a recess because it was too warm in Washington. But the people will make it still hotter for the G. O. P. if its representatives in congress don’t get busy.

Republicans hoped to find inquiries into the conduct of the war less disagreeable to friendly special interests tian investigations into the high cost • r living. Perhaps Speaker Gillett doesn’t want the house of representatives to permit the high cost of living to be investigated without “reservations.” When Republicans begin to quarrel among themselves we can expect to hear the truth even if we can’t hope to have constructive legislation.• Probably that Republican effort to adjourn the house of representatives for five weeks was Intended as a "strategic retreat.” After the next election Republicans in congress may experience the high cost of living down their record of legislative failure. If there was a luxury tax on language Republican attacks on the league of nations might be somewhat profitable. There is a big quarrel among Republicans as to the best way to avoid doing their duty.