The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-23
Conservation of Common Sense

James j. Hill, the Empire Bulld-
or - 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 grad
ually creeping over the United
States.
cts only a senseless lack of con-
fdence," 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
knowing why he was frightened.
And so on. It's just like 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 conservation 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
we'll illustrates the business condi
ton of this country and gives as the
panacea for the business paralysis,
the suggestion that our business
men use a little common sense-just
ordinary sound common sense. |
wish business men everywhere would
take that advice.
81 can see no reason for the fears
which seem to possess our business
men. l have preached 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
business. 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. Especial
ly when it is SO unnecessary 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:
Gin the disestablishment of credit
we find 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 it should
be or than conditions warrant. Fl
nancially, the country is stronger
than ever before in its history. Re
covery from panic SO severe as
that of three years ago was never
before SO prompt and comparatively
complete. The masses are practi-
cally free from debt. Money is held
by the banks in abundance and rates
are low.>
"Why then does Capital pause up
on the threshold of investment
The answer we believe to be plain
1t awaits adjustment of the relations
of government to business. Such
at any rate, is the plea, and pres
sure is constantly brought to beal
upon executives and courts to make
haste haste which, in our judg
ment, would result in less speed
Great complications growing out Of
nightly changed conditions call fol
the most serious consideration. TX
settle grave question offhand i.
only to invite disaster. Better mo-
settle it at all until reasonable
certainty can be felt that it can bt
settled right. Stability is ever Ca
pitfalls primary requirement.. Blu
the adjustment which it now de
mands cannot be effected in a month
or year and never can or should b.
& complete. Elasticity is the prime
requisite of changes essential to de
velopment.
But Capital is VIGOROUSLY timid
In the present instance, too, it i
absolutely foolish. No decision O
any court can permanently impai
any so-called vested interest. Confs
cation is undreamed of, as compare,
with only few years ago. The dis
integration of properties does no
involve their destruction. Moreover
the sharp revolt against all combin
atlons- those that achieve grea
good no less than those that wor
injury is clearly yielding to stud
and reason. No sane person no,
maintains that business especial
manufacturing can or should b
zone as it was done half centur
ago. In a broad sense the day 9
the individual competitor is pas