The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-09-22
jim HILL IS
OPTIMISTIC
EMPIRE BUILDER SEES NO REA.
SON FOR SEMl.PARALYSlS
WHICH IS THREAENING Us

WHICH IS THREAENlNG Us
James J. Hill. the Empire Build
er," the Father Of the Northwest"
cannot see why the business men OF
the country should at present fear to
engage in new enterprises. nor can
he see any reason whatever for the
semi-paralysis which is gradually
creeping over the United States.
"Its only a senseless lack OF con.
hdence," 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 neigbbor. His
neighbor probably jumped and the
next fellow took fright without know
ing why he was frightened. And so
on.
"It's just like a flock Of sheep. If
one starts to run, every sheep in the
flock will follow, even if they die
for It.
During this big national conserva-
ton congress We have talked about
observing water and conserving land;
conserving coal and conserving iron;
it's too bad somebody didn't say about
conserving common sense.
That's what this country needs
right now-to onserve ommon sense.
There's an article by Col. George Har
vey in the September North Amerl-
an Review dealing with the Conser-
vation of Common Sense that we'll
illustrates the business condition Of
this country right now, and gives as
the panacea for the business paraly-
sis. the suggestion that our business
men use little common sense -
Just ordinary common sense I 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 ex-
pect to continue to do so; but that's
no reason for fear on the part Of bus
mess.
"Mone and business are, of course,
very careful and 1t is right that they
should be- but not to the extent Of
cutting of their noses to spite their
faces. Especially when 1t Is 80 un-
necessar 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:
"Tn the dis-establishment of credit
we flnd the most obvious cause Of
the prevailing depression. The link
that connects labor with capital is
not broken, but We may not deny
that it is less cohesive than 1t should
be or than conditions warrant. FL
nancially, the country is stronger
than ever before in it's history. Re-
covery from a panic SO severe as that
of three years ago was never before
so prompt and comparatively CON-
plete. 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.
It awaits adjustment of the relations
of government to business. Such, at
any rate, is the plea, and pressure is
constantly brought to bear upon ex-
ecutives and courts to make haste
haste which, In our Judgment, would
result in less speed. Great complica-
tions growing out Of nightly changed
conditions call for the most serious
consideration To settle a grave
question offhand is only to invite dis
aster. Better not settle it all until
a reasonable certainty can be felt that
1t can be settled right. Stability Is
ever Capitals primary requirement.
But the adjustment which It now de-
mands, cannot be effected in month
or ear and never can or should be
complete. Elasticity is the prime
requisite Of changes essential to de-
velopment.
"But Capital is notoriously timid.
In the present instance. too. 1t is alb
so1utely foolish. No decision Of any