The Ordway new era., 1910-09-30
LACK OF CONFIDENCE

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.
"It's only senseless lack OF conf
dence," said Mr.. Hill, In an interview
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 neighbour His
ncighbor probably jumped and the
next fellow touk fright without know.
ing why he was frightened. And so
on.
Its just like a flock OF sheep. II
one starts to run, every sheep In the
flock will follow, even II they die for
it.
During this big National conserva-
tiOn 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 rs 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 every.
where would take that advice.
| 81 can see no reason for the fears
which seem to possess our business
meE. have preached 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 busi-
ness.
"Money and business are. of course,
very careful and 1t Is right that they
should be, but not to the extent OF cut
ting of their noses to spite their
faces. Especially when 1t is 50 un.
necessary, too.
"Here's a little excerpt which, to
my mind, bears down hard and strikes
at the core Of our present ills:
"'In the disestablishmcnt 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 1t
Is less cohesive than 1t should
be or than conditions warrant.
Financially, the country is stronger
than ever before In its history. Re.
covery from panic SO severe US that
OF three years ago was never before
so prompt and comparatively com
pletc. The masses are practically
free from debt. Money is held by the
banks In abundance and rates are low
"'Why then does Capital pause on
the threshold OF Investment? The
answer seems to me to be plain. 1t
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 ofIhand is only to invite
disaster. Better not settle it at all
until a reasonable certainty can be
felt that IL can be settled right, Sta
bility Ia ever Capitals primary. re.
quiremcnt. But the adjustment
which 1t now demands cannot be
effected In a month or year and
never can or should be complete.
Elasticity Is the prime requisite Of
changes essential to development,
"Rut Capital Ia uotoriously timid.
In the present instance, too, 1t Is ab-
solutely foolish. No decision OF any
court can permanently impair any
so-called vested interest. Conlisca.
tion Is undrcalncd OF, rs compared
with only few years ago. The dis
Indignation OF properties does not in.
volvc their destruction. Moreover,
the sharp revolt against all combina.
tions-thosc that achieve great good
no less than those that work injury
is clearly yielding to study and rca.
son. No sane person now maintains
that business, especially manufactur.
ing, can or should be done as 1t was
sense, the day OF the individual com.
petitor is past, but the opportunity of