Salt Lake Tribune | 1919-07-27 | Page 49 | An American Business Man for President in 192?

' AN AMERICAN BUSINESS "MAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 1920? I ' lis " 3 iVV. VSV j V 'f -"4 x M -1 Copyrlcht. 1013. bv Public I-edeer Co. rl x x " ',-vr,' s "till t. ;v;-v - K ;r J Yl t America, was preparing for peace tin,',j t t , f (J 4W1 ny months before the war ended. Our V V it f , i XM ' l icy under the present administration ' t 4 t r ' 5 , x ,1 med n .repetition of the Mexican ?.? r" f ' i if' S V , ' 1 icy of 'watchful waiting.' j? " f -VXV . )! , , ?' 4 C ' ( "'x- J , - 1, I We shall not shirk our duty. That .'"V J " 1 A '.T' v " 1 t4 i t ? ' y is to bring this government back , f i f ' j, v r5 r " V the limitations of the constitution in fvV.i, r - '.t ' ftV1 ' 'I es of peace, for it is only too ap- J rv"" j L' if . , W , J ' r x ent that the country's on,y salva- If-f V! t A W 1 in that respect lies within the Re- S J , , t " M Jlican party. To establish policies L V J V " c f ich will once again bind up the ,t -i'trt ,ti jfrjttatv'-"-' "" sir unds of war; to renew our pros- -Agtmf . sjsy0' - ity; to administer the affairs of y" HERBERT C. HOOVER " government with the greatest econ- , L y on a sound business basis that V x f " . 1 enlarge our strength at home and v v , i V oad ; to prevent the further spread " " ". S socialism and set this nation's feet 1 JV ' f r "i, 4 e more firmly on the path of prog- x Ji " $ f e M ( "i- A 4 s and along ways which libeity and $ ? J s 1 ' " ! A-i " ? . ' V A v v - HENRY P. DAVISON American War than be was shunted into tbe governorship of New York, only to be pressed into service as a vice presidential candidate with McKinley, succeeding to the high office on the assassination of that beloved leader. Thus does history record the interesting inter-esting point that every v.ar in which America joined for the cause of humanity human-ity produced one or more presidents. Whether the rule will maintain in 3020 or succeeding elections will be interesting interest-ing to follow. There does exist, however, how-ever, in tbe minds of mauy the belief that the war was greater than any one man ; that the very character of modern warfare subordinated the individual to the monstrous war machine where masses of men properly munitioned, fed and clothed proved more efficacious tbau bespurred leaders riding at the bead of their charging cohorts. General Gen-eral Pershing has been mentioned ; Leonard Wood is very much of a GENERAL GEORGE W. GOETHALS By CHARLES Y. DUKE AN AMEK1CAX business man foe A President iu 1020? In New York and Washington, iu Chicago and tbe Middle West, out on tbe Facitie slope aud down iu the near South, as you touch in succession the mainsprings of American enterprise, you hear men aud women in all walks of life aud representing every phase of American life talking along this line. In every section of the country, judg-ing judg-ing by the conversations of men in private and public interchange of ideas, there seems to be a strong sentiment in favor of elevating to tbe head of our government a leader who has been born, bred and raised in the school of American Ameri-can business, deep-rooted iu the principles prin-ciples of commerce and finance, post-jraduated post-jraduated iu the whole science of applied ap-plied national economics. Not necessarily neces-sarily a great captain of industry as that term is 'commonly interpreted oDe who has amassed wealth or fame in the marts of trade either through the cumulative heritage of his aucestors or by individual initiative but primarily a son of America who has learned the very rudiments of business in a practical prac-tical education that has comprehended not only his own needs and desires, but the needs and desires of his fellow countrymen and the world at large. The Time is Ripe To every man it is . apparent that with the siguing of the peace treaty at Versailles the reconstruction era is right now at hand. And. as public opinion is read iu the minds of men, so it is apparent ap-parent that we are as unprepared for the problems of peace as we were for the problems of war only a short time ago. Industry, paralyzed by the war, must be rebuilt from the ground up. Unemployment, labor agitations, social UDrest, reorganization aud rehabilitation rehabilita-tion of our transportation facilities, development of the American merchant marine, lack of raw materials, bashful and backward credit, money tied up or hpld in nhpvjincp untouched markets of this the psychological turn in our history. his-tory. It is not for me to say what type of man shall be put forward as a candidate candi-date or to indulge in any personalities; bat he who runs may read in this hour of America's duties. America's responsibilities, respon-sibilities, America's opportunity at this time and for the future years. "The problems which are ahead are immeasurable in their complexity aud magnitude. The forces of evil work continually and neglect is as wroug aa willful evil. It should be possible, and it will be possible, with tbe stimulated interest in affairs governmental that has resulted as one of the best by-products of the war, to make certain the proper readjustment in this country. But this will only be so if there is the same unselfish interest in the country's welfare wel-fare that functioned so splendidly iu tbe stress of war itself. If men and women should: now, on the theory that their obligations are discharged, turn solely to selfish pursuits in a mad scramble to make up for believed lost time or to go back to the bid order, they have failed absolutely to profit by tbe most valuable lesson of the war." But Mr. Hays has faith in the people ; he believes that a new sense of civic responsibility has resulted out of tbe cept America, was preparing for peace many mouths before the war ended. Our policy under the present administration sepined a .repetition of the Mexican policy of 'watchful waiting.' "We shall not shirk our duty. That duty is to briug this government hack to the limitations of the constitution in times of peace,, for it is ouly too apparent ap-parent that the country's only salvation salva-tion in that respect lies within the Republican Re-publican party. To establish policies which will once again bind up the wounds of war; to renew our prosperity; pros-perity; to administer the affairs of our government with the greatest economy econ-omy on a 'sound business basis that will enlarge our strength at home and abroad ; to prevent the further spread of socialism and set this nation's feet once more firmly on the path of progress prog-ress and along ways which liberty and ' " if; rrA v m JOHN D. RYAN order must ever guard and preserve these are some of our sacred trusts." Among Democrats the feeling that a capable business man of administrative experience and acumen would make an ideal type of President lurks well in the .background of thinking minds. "Whether leading Democrats, proud of the part Mr. Wilson has shared, first, in keeping the country out of war and then m uid- iLr--TI -JA"M.n l.p auin n war, auu in enunciating nis laconic principles of "patriotism in peace to follow patriotism in v.ar," he believes the people, with keen perception of the trend of the times and the responsibilities responsibili-ties of the nest four years,- will push forward their ablest leaders and 'assist individually in their election on a scale Dot heretofore approached in American politics. As to the part of the Republican party Mr. Hays points to the fact "that during dur-ing the war every act of the Republican party iu state and nation was deter -mfued solely on how we could contribute most to the sum total of war good," aud from this he prophesies that "so now in the trying times ahead the Republican Re-publican party shall determine its every step by how we can contribute most to the country's welfare." "We have looked upon this nation's the world crying for our products these are some of the problems at band. Every nation that participated iu the war is virtually broken financially and industrially : they all look to America as their savior at this psychological moment. mo-ment. "Give us food, ships, steel, clothing, tools and building materials" is the plea of the outside world as never before in American history. Irrespective of political creeds or partisan par-tisan lines, the man who guides the destinies of America through the critical criti-cal four years of reconstruction that impend, according to the prevalent sentiment, sen-timent, must be a man who can briug out of America all her latent power along these lines through his own experience ex-perience and the influence he can command com-mand in uniting all the economic resources re-sources oE the whole country in the re- I V I 1 f: ' U 1 k v ,('; ' h li-OC v . ,.,.,,; master; Henry P. Davison, who left Wall street to guide the destinies ot the Red Cross; Bernard M. Baruch, of the war industries board; John D. Kyan, the copper king who directed the aircraft air-craft board after the departure of Howard Coffin, the automobile man; Julius H. Barnes, head of the grain corporation; George M. Rolph, sugar administrator ; J. Leonard Replogle, Eteel director; Thomas A. Edison and bis associates ou the naval consulting board ;. Julius Roseuwald, the Chicago business chieftain; Dr. Harry A. Garfield, Gar-field, who gave up a college presidency to be coal administrator ; Edward R. Stettiuius, who left the firm of J. P. CHARLES I VI. SCHWAB raw material, and no nation was ever before so placed." Should America, elect a business man to the presidency she would depart from precedent in view of the fact that every great war in which America participated' par-ticipated' was followed by tbe election of some military idol to the highest gift the people could bestow upon the honored hon-ored victor. "Without exception every war up to now brought forth a military candidate who was swept into office virtually vir-tually without regard for party affiliations, affili-ations, but because the people were all singing "Sec the Conquering Hero Comes." Soldiers Who Became Presidents George Washington, "Father of Our Country," was very much a soldier before be-fore he was President. At fuurteen years of age he was on the verge of embarking em-barking in the English naval service on a midshipman's warrant obtained for him by his eldest half brother, Lawrence, already an officer in the English service. serv-ice. At nineteen he was adjutant general gen-eral with the rauk of major and inspecting in-specting Virginia militia. All the world knows of his participation in Braddock's campaign against the French on the Allegheny, where he escaped miraculously miracu-lously with four bullet holes iu his coat. At Cambridge, on July 3, 1775, he drew his sword as commander -iu -chief of the first American army. Not until eight years later, in -November, 17S3, did he retire to his plantation at Mt. Vernon.' But he was head ami shoulders the greatest American of the young republic and eveu destined for the supreme leadership before he headed thr. Vircrim'o i.tr; t win t.. 1 Mi i 1 -i , I r.? i , hi i IT its A I J. LEONARD REPLOGLE Henry Harrison. With Wayne at Miami and against Tecumseh at Tippecanoe Tippe-canoe be made a name for himself and his stock went still higher after he defeated de-feated the British general Proctor at the Bnttle of the Thames in the War of 3S12. His praises were sung throughout the country so that in the political hurricane that whirled out the "Van Burcn administration tbe conqueror of the redskins and the British was swept into office. Zachary Taylor was another warrior president. The Mexican war put him on the map and into the White House. At twenty - four, a lieutenant in t lie United States army, he defended Fort Harrison four years later so stanchly as to be brevetted a major. From fighting the Indians on the Wabash in 1S14 be climbed on through the Black Hawk War in 132 to the Seminole War iu Ib-.'IG. When in IS-l.j he was ordered to defend Texas a?ainst Mexico, he did so astutely, as Santa Ana found out at Buena Vista. Taylor was an "army man" with no political aspiratious and went into the presidency simply on a wave of popular acclaim. potential possibility because of the RooseveUian mautie he wears, the "injustice" "in-justice" that his folio w e rs sa y was heaped upon him during the war aud because of his gcuer.it churncter, stability stabil-ity and vision. Taskcr Bliss is another general who has attained prominence through his membprship in the peace commission fnlluwing military service in Franco. Sims presided over the navy in the crushing di-lVnt administered the German submarinf. But. aft'fi all, t lie war produced no great individual star, unbss p'rehan-c. it bo Sergeant Alvin C York, the lighting TenucNSeo objector. The name of L'ershing is linked cryptically with the famous triumvirate of Pershing. Haig and Foch ; but, his name at this moment holds no maic in political chambers. H is t rhimpbant returu home at some later date may sLLr up a wave oT popular acclaim. A Precedent Would Be Established Jf a business man be nominated aud elected President then the I'uited States takes a distinct departure, for none of our Presidents were distinctly out-aud-ont nrodurts of flic irrnnr tmrlo cf1n-.nl JULIUS ROSEN WALD 1 ! BERNARD N. BARUCH building: of fbe devastated world. It is held that the issues are greater thri ")' oue man, just as the war was Sreater than any one personality, aud from this premise is drawn the conclusion con-clusion that the next President of the United States must be peculiarly titted to the needs of the hour as probably no other Presideut has been in all the Jtars that leaders have been brought forward since the days of Washington. wi'-h the two (uminaut political Parties now girding up their loins for the campaign of 10L'0, these thoughts Eeiu paramount in the minds of the men directing the rival Itepublicuu aud fr'rcocratie organizations. As tbe 'Pokesmau of the Republicau party, the national chairman, Will 11. Mays, the' 'little giant from Indiana." has no "witancy in declaring the issues bigger "an the man and the prevent needs of Ike world on a par with the needs of America as the great factors to be cou-fred cou-fred iu choosing standard -bearers for It was the writer's privilege to ta' Will Hays's mind on this subject fev?raI days ago iu the Fifth avenue Quarters of the Republican national "JWffiiUee. '0f course, U is too early to talk ,'"ut candidates," said Mr. Hays. JUr '"notion here is to elect and not lf 1K candidate of our party. Hut tWv " 'S ,':lU'"t "l;'t Ainerii-a needs previous history as merely preparation for the glorious destiny uow being fulfilled," ful-filled," he says, "and we have taken aud shall take no secondary scat iu participation par-ticipation iii that f ulnlliucut." On the scure of a business man for candidute Mr. Hays reiterated the statement that he was in the business busi-ness of electing and not selecting a candidate. But as to the Republican party's feeling in tUis regard he had uo hesitancy iu saying that an efficient business administration of the affairs of the country is a vital need. 'We used to hear that honesty was the best policy as a matter of morals." he said. "Honesty is the best policy as a matter of business. In like manner man-ner there is but one kind of successful politics and that is the politics of faithful, eflioieut aud honest administration. adminis-tration. Above all thiugs else, it is the faithful, honest and efficient administration ad-ministration of the business of the country coun-try that the Republican party stands for first. The Republican Opportunity "During the war, while the Kcpub-lirau Kcpub-lirau party stood for the use of every means that would win the, war, aud for a victorious peace only, it stood at all times for a safe and sane preparation for a solution of tbe problems of peace. On this latter point we have called repeatedly re-peatedly for preparation for peacc.-J livery other country in the world, cx- ing it through the war to the consummation consumma-tion of a glorious peace for America and her allies, may deem him worthy of continuing con-tinuing at the helm through another presidential campaign aud possible third term is oue of the iuterestiug thiugs yet to be revealed. But, very proudly, representative Democratic leaders in Washington point to the important part played by big business men in prosecution aud successful suc-cessful accomplishment of the giant business achievements that were essentially essen-tially a huge factor iu the winning of the war. They point out that while our armies were the decisive military factor in o ertoppling Hun autocracy, our stupendous economic resources, arrayed ar-rayed agaiust the dimiuishiug resources of central Europe, were every whit as important, and iu the long run the more important, since our armies would have been impotent without the resources back of them and the economic forces poured iu unending stream iuto the storerooms and coffers of our allies. In this connection they point to various leaders from the business world who iu a spirit of common patriotism blended their efforts in the common cause. They mark out "Charlie" "Schwab and Edward Hurley, who directed di-rected the shipbuilding program: Herbert Her-bert Hoover, the food generalis.-imo ; George W. Goetl.als, who was first shipbuilder and then army quarter- Morgan & Co. to become the Allies' chief purchasing ageut in this country: Guy E. Tripp, of the Westiughouse Company; Paul Warburg, the New York bauder. These and a host of other capable American busiuess men were as instrumental in victory as the Persuings, Per-suings, Fochs and Haigs of the battlefields. battle-fields. Will the Situation Bring Out a Man? Is it possible that out of the ranks of these representative American generals of business may come a presidential candidate? Maybe so. Most assuredly American busiuess men, iu or out of aD.v particular party, agree America's gigantic task is to save Europe from the industrial paralysis that has settled down upon it as lava from the volcanic vol-canic eruption of war. so more succinctly suc-cinctly has the case been put llinn by Frank A. Vauderlip, the New lurk banker, when he returned a few weeks ago from Europe. "We are the darliug of the gods." he 'said in speaking of Europe's inevitable turn to America as Iht savior from the aftermaths of war social unrest, business busi-ness paralysis, lack of liaterials. money aud credit. "No nation in all time was ever so placed. Here we are, the reservoir of the wovid's capital, and at tbe same time the reservoir of raw material. We can finance the world, and feed the world's jLc.dus.ij-.- iu 17b", with his resultant election as "The First President." "But for him," says Bancroft, "the country could not have achieved its independence; but for him it could not have formed its union : and now but for him it could not set the government in successful motion." James Madison, while not a warrior of the battlefields, and while essentially a man of peace, came iuto the presidency in 1S12. A growing desire for war w ith Great Britain had b"en indicated iu the election of Henry Clay os speaker of the House. Madison was nominated and elected a second term ou condition of his adopting the war policies of the moment. James Monroe who followed him had been a soldier of conspicuous valor in the first Con':i:-ntal armies, but really land'-d the pre-i ic -lial berth because of his wide experience iu political politi-cal affairs. "Old Hickory" Andrew Jaekon op the While House assignment IcroMy on his great reputation as a fighter gained at New Orleans. From boyhood he had been a fighter, first against the Indians. After his wonderful violory agaiust Wellington's veterans at New (Irlenns. when he whipped tln-m so decisively, thoi.gh outriuiiibl-ed eight to one. he remained the' most popular figure iu American minds up until the Cnii War. Another Indian fighter who climbed Two soldiers out of the war with Mexico vied for the honors of the presidency presi-dency in ISoli. Franklin I'ierce. Democrat, Demo-crat, was arrayed against General Winfiohi fseott, Whig candidate and Mexican veteran. But Pierce, v.lio had been made a brigadier general by Polk for his bravery at Vera Cruz under Scott and at 0'nntreras, where he fell with a shattered leg while "leading his men. was an overwhelming winner in the final count. When Virginia brought forward for-ward his name and he espoused the fugitive fugi-tive slave law and the admission f California there was no doubt as to the outcome. Oilier Military Heroes The Civil War produced L'lysses S. Grant, a Wct Point graduate v ho bad been a so'oier all hi'- life. Xever active in -politi'-s. he walked into two terms ami ,as vigorously support"d for a third trm. Both Hayes and Garfield, who followed him iu order, were distinguished fighters during the R'-bellion, while l'r"Mdei.t Arthur, who competed Garfield's Gar-field's term, first made a national name for him-"'f while serving as quartermaster quarter-master general and 'inspector general of the 1uiou armies. In more recent time came Theodore Roosevelt, who while serving as assistant assist-ant secretary of the navy under Mj-Kinley Mj-Kinley resigned to organized the famous Rough Riders. Hardly bad he landed in cy iork from Cuba after the Spanish - of Amcrieuu business that now looms before the world its its great benefactor. By far th'1 greater numlK-r of Presidents Presi-dents have come from (he ranks of the legal profession. Fourteen Presidiums, Presi-diums, almost, half the number who have held that high ofiiee. ehose law as their profe.-sion. The lawyer -Pi esidents include, in-clude, in order, Jefferson, Madison M ouroe. John tjuiney Adams, J.T'lson, au Duron. Thr, Polk. Pierce, B .'haaan. Hayes. Benjamin Harrison, M'-Kinley and Taft. Teachers come lmxt ;u order. In this list appear John Adams. Garfield, Arthur, Ch'veland and Wilson. Of professional soldiers three Presidents Presi-dents begau their careers ns active military mili-tary n,e. They were William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor and Unconditional Un-conditional Surrender" Grant. Those other fighting President we have mentioned men-tioned gained their swords and spurs b-o-nise of national exigencies rather than by ioiti,,! pi-Pf,.rence. Pro. Filimorc aud Juhnsou, began life as tailors. Since it develops that no American President was a so -called American business man b"fore g'dng to AVnshing-ton. AVnshing-ton. it is eveu more int'-resl ing to note that hut four of our Presidents were the sons of so-called business men. McKinley's father v. as an iron manufacturer. manu-facturer. The fathers of I.uohanao, Hayes aud Roosevelt were uicrchant.