The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-08
AFTER THE CANAL, WHAT?

After the Panama canal, what! Tins
is the greatest achievement oi Amer
cas- youth. In itself it is necessarily
but first step TO mastery of the
world s commerce Well may we ask
ourselves whether we shall be prepared
to take full advantage of the canal
when it is opened.
we know, for example, that the bulk
OF trade through the Panama canal will
be carried by foreign ships. AT first
glance shipping would appear to be the
chief essential in preparedness, and yet
we must be content to see only small
portion of our goods and the goods of
the world transported In vessels flying
the American flag. In reality, however,
the United States will reap CONNER
cial benefit from every ship that goes
through the canal
Setting aside, therefore, the question
of shipping and turning our attention
to the development Of commerce, we
shall lind n most attractive field for
speculation in the things that the Amer
lean people must DO if they are to keep
in the van OF world progress. The i'm
portant triumphs Of the future will not
be as spectacular as the Panama canal
achievement. While marvellous devel-
opment awaits us, the richest gains will
come from organization, thoroughness
and the elimination OF waste. Hitherto
wc have been eager to perform the
big feats and to astonish the world
with American daring and energy.
Hereafter we must meet the competi-
ton of the older nations by following
their example.
Germany is small nation with but
a tithe of our resources, and yet in the
last twenty-five years she has made
such progress that she has become one
Of the world Is foremost sea powers, and
her trade in all quarters OF the globe
rivals the trade Of England, of France
and of the United States Intensive
organization is perhaps the best phrase
10 describe tho German system. Ger
many is the most frugal of the great
nations and the United States the most
wasteful. In every department Of agri-
culture and commerce German thrift
has been able 10 compete on equal
terms with America s limitless re-
sources, IT has been case OF the
miscr competing with the prodigal
prince. The American has not been
accustomed to look will high regard
on miserly methods, bat in the future
we must manage our nation and its re-
sources scientifically.
Starting with a tremendous advan.
jage in resources, in the efficiency and
intelligence of our labor and the abund.
auce of our capital, we should dominate
the world g commerce. But this result
can be accomplished only If we add to
our strength by such virtues as care
ful system, frugality and conservation
The most valuable suggestion that
comes from our most ardent conserva.
tionists is the proposal 20 eliminate
waste in the development OF natural
resources. Those of us who favor the
rapid development Of our riches are
sometimes accused of seeking to squan
der them, and the charge is not with.
out foundation. In whatever field the
American. operates, he dissipates his
heritage; he spends with lavish hand
and forgets that the day Of reckoning
must come.
The development of the future, there
fore, will be by means Of intensive
organization within our own borders
We must develop our inland waterways:
We must make needed changes in oul
transportation lines to touch areas
hitherto neglected; we must reduce the
cost Of production by supplying the
best facilities and the best machinery
No matter how healthy man may be
he cannot become giant in strength
unless he develops all his muscles an6
keeps them fit We have gIoried il