The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-09-23
WISDOM FROM j. j. HILL

cannot see why the business men Of
the country should at present fear tc
engage in new enterprises, nor car
he see any reason whatever for the
semi paralysis which is gradually
creeping over the United States.
II Its only senseless lack of con-
fidence," said Mr.. Hill, in an inter
view just given out.
And why this lack of confidence?
Some man, somewhere, has grown
timid over something or other, and
has cried boo at his neighbor. His
neighbor probably jumped and the
next fellow took fright without know
ink why he was frightened. And so
on.
''It's just like flock of sheep. If
one strts to run, every sheep in the
flock will follow, even if they die
for it.
During this big national conser-
walton congress we have talked about
conserving water and conserving land,
conserving coal and conserving iron;
it's too bad somebody didn't say a
word about conserving 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 well illustrates the business con-
dition of this country right now and
gives as the panacea for the business
paralysis, the suggestion that our bus
mess men use little common sense
just ordinary sound common sense. /
wish business 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 for years and expect
to continue to do so; but that's no
reason for fear on the part of bust
ness.
Money and business are, of course,
very careful and it is right that they
should be, but not to the extent of
cutting off their noses to spite their
faces. Especially when it is so un-
necessary and they need the noses,
too.
Here's a little excerpt which to
my mind, bears down hard and
strikes at the core of our present ills.
In the disestablishment of credit
We find the most obvious cause of the
depression. The link that
labor with capital is not
broken, but we may not deny that it
S less cohesive than it should be or
han conditions warrant. Financial
y, the country is stronger than ever
before in its history Recovery from
| panic so severe as that of three
ears ago was never before so prompt
md comparatively complete. The
masses are practically free from debt.
doney is held by the banks in abun-
lance and rates are low.
""Why then does capital pause up
IN the Threshold of investment? The
nswer we believe to be plain. It
waits adjustment of the relations of
overnment to business. Such, at any
ate, is the plea, and pressure is con-
family brought to bear upon execu-
ives and courts to make haste
aste which, in our judgment, would
esult in less speed Great complica-
ions growing out of nightly chang
d conditions call for the most seri-
us consideration. To settle a grave
question offhand is molly to invite
isaster. Better not settle it at all
ntil a reasonable certainty can be
cit that it can be settled right. Sta
ility is ever Capitals primary re-
uirement. But the adjustment which
now demands cannot be effected in
month or year and never can or
hould be complete. Elasticity is the
rime requisite of changes essential
D development. :
"'But Capital is VIGOROUSLY timid.
n the present instance, too, is alb ,
olutely foolish. No decision of any
curt can permanently impair any So :
allied vested interest. Confiscation is !,
ndreamed of, as compared with only =
few years ago. The disintegration
f properties does not involve their
estruction. Moreover, the sharp re-
oft against all combinations-tho
lat achieve great sood no less than
lose that work injury-is clearly
ielding to study and reason. No sane
erson now maintains that business Y
specially manufacturing-can or {
lOuld be done as 1t was done half .