Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1910-09-22
SHOULD CONSERVE
COMMON SENSE
JAMES J. nlI N INTERVIEW ON BUSL
NESS OUTLOOK S01E LACK OF
CONFIDENCE GOOD ADVICE

4 James j. Hill, the Empire
Builder" the Father of the North
west," cannot see why the business
men of the country should at pres
ent fear to engage in new enter
prises, nor can he see any reason
whatever for the semi-paralysis
which is gradually creeping over
the United States.
Its only senseless lack of con-
fidence," said Mr.. Hill, in an in
terview just given out.
And why this lack of conf
dence9 Some man, somewhere,
has grown timid over something
or other, and has cried boo at
his neighbor. His neighbor pro-
bably jumped and the next fellow
took fright without knowing why
he was frightened. And so on.
Its just like flock of sheep.
If one starts to run, every sheep
in the flock will follow, even If
they die for it.
y During this big National con-
servation congress we have talked
about conserving water and con-
serving land; conserving coal and
conserving iron; it's too bad some-
body didn't say word about con-
serving common sense.
"That's what this country needs
right now-to conserve common
sense. There's an article by Col.
George Harvey in the September
North American Review dealing
with the Conservation of common
sense that we'll illustrates the busi-
ness condition of this country right
now and gives as the panacea for
the business paralysis, the sugges-
ton that our business men use a
little common sense-just ordinary
sound common sense. Iwish busi-
ness men everywhere would take
that advice.
II can see no reason for the fears
which seem to possess our business
men. have preached a return
to the farm policy flor years and
expect to continue to do so; but
that's no reason for fear on the
part of business.
money and business are, OF
course, very careful and it is right
that they should be, but not to tho
extent of cutting off their noses to
spite their faces. Especially when
it is so unnecessary and they need
the noses. too.
Here's little excerpt which,
to my mind, bears down hard and
strikes at the core of our present
ills:
I'm the disestablishment of cred
it we find the most obvious cause
of the prevailing depression. The
link that connects labor with capi-
,tsl is not broken, but we may not
deny that it is less cohesive than it
should be or than conditions war
rant. Financially, tho country is
stronger than ever before in its
history. Recovery from . panic
80 severe as that Of three years ago
was never before so prompt and
comparatively so complete. The
masses are practically free from
debt. Money is held by the banks
in abundance and rates are low.
why then does capital pause
upon the threshold of investment
The answer we believe to be plain.
1t awaits adjustment of the rela-
tions of government to business.
Such. at any rate, is the plea, and
pressure is constantly brought to
bear upon executives and courts to
make haste-haste which, in our
Judgment, would result in less
Gpeed. Great complications grow
ing out of nightly changed con-
ditions call for the most serious
consideration. To settle . great
question offhand is only to invite
disaster. Better not settle it at oil