The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-11-04


wealth and progress Of the country.
Why Business Hats
Now, in view of the great advan-
tages presented to our people, why is
it that business prosperity is frequent
ly and seriously interrupted? The
peoples of other nations are asking this
question, especially those who have
money for investment.
There are exceptional cases in which
mismanagement has caused distrust or
dissatisfaction on the part of foreign
and domestic capitalists, but this is
not the principal reason for hesitancy
at the present time in making invest
ments in our securities.
They wonder why it is that with our
great and growing wealth and resourc-
es and our superior advantages we are
not more continuously prosperous;
why we are not more stable in prices
and values and in general conditions;
why there is ever any disposition on
the part of any one to interfere with
the normal and natural progress in the
development Of our country and its in
dustries. Every one who travels ex-
tensively abroad is confronted with
these inquiries by foreigners friendly
to and interested in our commercial
and financial conditions and success.
I venture the assertion that it is
largely because of much unnecessary
agitation and i'll considered criticism
by those who have not the nations
best interests at heart. There is too
much demagogy, too much mud sling
ing. The man out of Office criticises
the one in Office, and the one in office
in turn seeks to advance his own inter-
ests regardless of the effect upon all
others.
In many public speeches and in mag
azine articles the author is influenced
by motives of selfshness or cupidity.
Appeals are made for the purpose of
creating feeling of dissatisfaction
and unrest when this is unnecessary
and unjustifed. Fortunately this is
partially offset by the conservative at
titude Of some of the leading journals,
an increasing number.
1t is not uncommon in public discus
sions to treat success as an offence; to
consider the possession of wealth, how
ever honestly acquired, as wrong.
Legislation calculated to create classes
is urged persistently; also laws to i'm
pose unnecessary and unreas ,nable
burdens; to take forcibly from one
something which he has and is entitled
to have, and turn it over to another; to
prevent or to lessen the success of leg
itimate enterprise and endeavor.
Capital, always timid, has been seri-
ously affected by this unreasonable
and uncalled for agitation and attack
Indeed, it is becoming frightened
Confidence has been shaken. 1t is be-
coming almost impossible to secure, or
fair terms, on good security and at q
reasonable rate of interest the neces.
sary capital to equip or literally main
tain going and successful properties
to say nothing of the additions and ex
tensions which the interests of thi!
great and growing country demand.
The stability of business, which il
essential to its proper and REASONABLE
growth and success, has been inter
fered with. Our great and GROWN,
population can use our products; i
needs food and clothes and material t
build, and it is willing and anxious t.
buy them. 1t is in need of railroad
and ships with the best equipment t
carry these products from one point t
another, and it is willing to pay fai
rates for the service.
Laborers are willing to work at
reasonable wage and employers ar
anxious to furnish work and to pay lib
eral compensation. The carrying com
panies are DESTROYS of providing ne
cessary facilities for adequate trans
portation. Producers in all depart
ments Of industry wish to satisfy tn
demands for products at fair price
and to that end they would make tn
necessary increases in capacity. An
those who are able are quite ready t
furnish the necessary capital provide
they can be certain Of protection
against loss or risk.
Eager for Business
In short this country, though hest
tating, is eager to do business. Tn
volume Of business at this time, al
though large because the country is $
vast, is not half so great as it ough
to be.
1t is high time for all of US to wax
| up to realization of the fact that W
aro IN counnotifion with other couutrie