Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-12-08
Hill Sees Trouble Ahead.

| IN tact-are about 10 harvest the fruits
grown Of extravaganza, J. J. Hill is abSo-
lutely conyin ed.
1t is too late TO warn; the hour is now
near" he says.
"Why, when told President TAFT a
few days ago that there would be many
thousands OF men thrown into idleneSS
next year he was almost ncredulous OF
my sincerity, but am not making a guess;
it will be 4 fact"
Here Mr.. Hill paused for few refec-
tions upon the Chief ExeCutil e, declar-
ing that the President is good fellow"
that he means well, but that he has made
lots OF mistakes.
"The trouble with Mr.. Taft is" he
continued, "that he lives in a political at
mosphere. He can't get away from it.
1t pervadeS Washington, and the PreSi-
dents views of conditions are limited in
large measure by those who surround
him."
"Why not get business men 10 accept
office ?" Mr.. Hill repeated the question.
THAT would be altogether impossible.
A business man could not remain in the
position. His election could come about
only through the efforts OF those support
ing him, which would mean beSleging
horde OF office seekers"
Mr.. Hill declared that the American
people were too complacent. They
spend too freely and are greatly inclined
TO take a rosy view of things entirely
unwarranted by circumstances.
Extravaganza has been our great
fault" he said. eve have been vast
ing entirely too much in productive
undertakings. AS a rule, we have given
too much TO adornmentS. We have fol-
lowed like policies in the State and nation
al governments.
"BattleShipS, not only in this country,
but also abroad, are illustrations OF the
extravaganza in which the world has been
plunged the last two decades. The
money for the construction Of these has
been withdrawn from commercial circles
and almost as good as squandered, 50 far
as there can be any tangible returns OBJ
served.
eve have gone to considerable expense
to dig the Panama Canal. lpreSume now
we will have to tortify 1t. It's all very
well 10 make appropriations for such pur-
poseS-it is easy to contract debts-but
the real difficulty arises when we come
TO get the money with which to make the
payments.
"In four years, from 1892 TO 1896, our
Federal expenditures were 81 800, 900, 900.
For a similar period, from 1904 to 1908,
we spent about S3,6OO,OOOO0O. Yet, we
pay our taxes and harp upon the high
cost of living, and even in doing this we
linger upon the brilliant prospects which
we think the future holds in store for us.
"If a man buys a farm and cultvateS ii,
he contributes to the material wealth OF
society. If he permits the land 10 lie
idle, he has Suotracted from the general
wealth by withdrawing his money from
commerce and investing in non-protit-
able enterprise"
Disclaiming any intention OF posing as
a calamity prophet Mr.. Hill insisted, how
ever, that it was not guess, but an alb
solute certainty, as to what awaits the
country tomorrow, or the next year, when
business activities become dormant. He
pointed out that at present there is very
little projected, which means a SuSpen-
sion Of activities.
"Do you hear OF any generally system
atc plans for improvement during the
next year ?" he asked. There are none,
factories and such other enterprises which
are productive in their nature and which
contribute to wealth are not contemplated
by those who have the money TO invest.
"T'his means that those who have Moth
ing to sell but their time will be without
employment. There will have to be a
shutting down Of the mines because iron
and coal and other minerals that 90 in the
production OF commercial articles will
not be in demand. The same might be
said Of lumber and other forms OF activi-
ty.
LAS a result OF all this there will be
many thousands OF people without en-
pIoyment.