Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-03
MEM YEAR PLANS

From the men who constantly feel
the pulse of the business world In the
great centers Of capitalization. manu-
facture and distribution to the person
Who observes from surface indications,
there comes wonderful degree of OPP
timism. Some who are credited with
ability to Judge say that the year that
has Just come to close has been
most extraordinary in its prosperity,
has broken all records in the business
world, and for this reason 1t Is diff
cult to conceive of repetition of such
wonderful growth and greatness. Yet,
sosobserving, they profess to see moth
ing in the way of continuance of the
extraordinary prosperity.
With these predictions before us,
with barns and cribs and warehouses
bursting with the products OF the
ground and of the factory, with every
body employed at the best wages
known to the country, and evidences
of continued prosperity on every hand,
one is likely to overlook the fact that
there is probably another day coming.
IL preparation has not been made dur
ing these years of plenty to meet
years when we are liable to be less
fortunate, the year just entered upon
is the best one in which to begin. Sec
rotary Shaw is quoted as saying in a
New York speech that those who
pray should ask God to save us from
our prosperity. The secretary is wise
enough to know whereof he speaks.
He is in daily touch with the financial,
commercial and manufacturing world.
He is acquainted with the failings Of
mankind in times Of prosperity and
urges that they be saved from them.
About fourteen years ago this coun-
try was at the high tide of prosperity,
but there existed then, as there does
now, much discomfort. People urged
change in something, a change In
anything; they wanted change. And
1t came. The change was meant to-be
political. but it reached every avenue
of business and every avenue of life.
Millions of men were out Of employ
ment and families came to want. Mid
die aged men had never experienced
such panic, there had been so many
years of prosperity. ~.
The fourteen years that have
elapsed since the country was precip-
ltated into this state Of affairs have
brought to manhood many who were
not old enough to feel the responsible
titles and the horrors of that time.
Since they have been seeking work
there has been plenty to do. They
have grown into positions Of respon-
sibility and they are liable to proceed
as if there was never a time like the
early nineties to come again. They
may well pray that there will not. But
who knows?
tits to be hoped that the optimistic
predictions that are being made upon
all sides will be borne out and that
1907 will close with the sun shining
as brightly upon all as it is at the be
ginning. If we are to have 365 more
such days of prosperity they can well
be given to preparation for the fu-
ture.. This preparation should not be
In efforts to get rich quick, for the one
who tries that is likely to end the
year poorer and perhaps wiser. A
consciousness that dark days do come,
and sometimes with little warning, is
likely to keep the world better balanc-
ed and better prepared for them when
their time arrives.
The prospects for the year are
bright. Make the best of it.