Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-12-21


is being discussed at this time by
all classes and conditions of men
Economists, philosophers. states
en-, politicians. demagogues and
doctrinaires-all are writing and
talking, more or less convincingly
on this vital topic.
To the writer, one of the plain
people, it seems strange that none
Of these "most potent and grave
seigniors" have spoken a word, or
written line, on what to him
seems the keystone of this arch on
which the cost Of reasonable and
comfortable living has been raised
beyond the reach of the mechanic
and the laborer.
In arguing whether or not the
trusts, the labor unions, the over
production of gold. or any one of
the several other factors which en-
ter into the increased cost of con-
Quoting our twentieth century life,
is the crux of the matter. the unan-
ticipated enlargement of taxation
for, and extraordinary waste Of,
armament expenditures seems to
have been wholly overlooked.
The student of political economy
is taught, as a fundamental, that
whatever is not usefuly expended,
is wasted. Consider then the prod
igal waste of the worldwide pre-
paration for war which. with the
right kind Of craftsmanship, need
never come.
Twelve years ago our American
Commonwealth stepped from the
small circle of isolated friendship
into the great arena Of the world s
armed peace. No good American
citizen can fail to be proud of her
influential position in the world to-
day, but no Christian citizen can
fail to condemn the poor use that
is being made of her splendid
opportunity.
We have, during the last twenty
years, increased our naval expendi-
lures alone, over 600 per cent;
while in the same period the popu-
lation has increased but IS per
cent.
At the present time ~ per cent
of our total revenues is used for
war purposes-and this in time of
peace-and apparently we have by
no means reached the limit, fo1
each year this Unsuitable Oliver is
calling for more.
The citizens of "this enlightened
Democracy Of Freedom" are begin
ming to question if they are much
better off than the bureaucratic
bond slaves of the old world; both
are being slowly crushed to death
or desperation by this ever-incteas'
ing burden of phantom war.
We are building fleet o.
''Dreadnoug' ts'' which cost $40
600 900 each, and at the same time
are condemning to the junk heak
$50, 900, 900 wp1th IF vessels which
were, less than two decades ago
"Dreadnoughts' Of that period
A workman laburs three years tt
earn as much money as it costs t.
load and fire once, one big gun
The second time it is fired, suffi
cient money goes up in smoke t.
build this same workman a hous
which under present conditions h
could not hope to acquire unit
after years Of penurious saving an
self-sacr ificing denial The thit
time the war dragon belches fort
its death-dealing breath. the work
mans ambitious sons four years
college course is dissipated int
thin air.
A "Dreadnought' is built, an
the value of all the land and builC
ings that Harvard University he
acquired in two hundred and fit
yCd1S, " I'LL anu 1 uSnCRS
thrown in, is incorporated with
floating machine which. in fiftee
years, may 20 on the scrap hear
if it does not go to the bottom {
the sea meanwhile. EXpensil
junk this.
Panama Canal, work Of worl;
wide bereficence. will cost, whe
completed, $500 600, 000-a stagge
ing sum to contemplate-bu
present plans are carried out, tn
nation will spend nearly four tim
that amount, in the next ten yea'
for construction and maintenan
Of the Navy alone.
The increase in appropriation f
the Army and Navy by our cover
ment since the Spanish war, It
increase notice-would, if it h
been spent for such purposes ha