Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-07-03

fever OF apprehension.
There is nothing more fatal TO bushes:
than to be kept guessing from month tC
month and from year to year whether
something is going to happen to il or moi
and what in particular is going to happier
to it if anything does. 1t is impossible tC
forecast the prospects of any line Of bust
ness unless you know what the year is
going to bring forth. Nothing is more I'M
fair, nothing has been declared by bust
ness men to be more harmful than to keep
them guessing.
THE guessing went on, the air was full
Of Interrogation points. for ten years and
more. Then came an administration which
for the first time had a definite program
of constructive correction; not of destruc-
tive correction. but of constructive cor
rection Of admitted evil, very clear pro
gram. disclosed so far as possible in gen
eral program, in its particulars as well as
in its general features. And the admins
tration proceeded to carry out this program.
First, there was the tariff. and business
shivered; We don't like to 90 in; the
water looks cold. but when the tariff act
had been passed it was found that the
readjustment was possible without any
serious disturbance whatever. So that
men said with a sense of relief We'll.
we are glad to get that behind us, and it
wasn't bad after ALL
Then came the currency reform. You
remember with what resistance, with what
criticism, with what systematic holding
back a large body of bankers in this coun-
try met the proposals of that reform, and
you know how, Immediately after its
passage, they recognized its benefit and
its beneficence, and how ever since the
passage Of that reform bankers through
out the United States have been congratu-
lating themselves that it was possible to
carry out this great reform upon sensible
and solid lines.
Then we advanced to the trust pro-
gram and again the same dread, the same
hesitation, the same urgency that the
thing should be postponed. 1t will not be
postponed; and it will not be postponed
because we are the friends of business
We know what we are doing; we purpose
to do it under the advice, for we have been
fortunate enough to obtain the advice, of
men who understand the business of this
country and we know that the effect is
going to be exactly what the effect of the
currency reform was, sense of relief and
of security.
Because when the program is finished,
it is finished the Interrogation points are
rubbed off the slate; business is given its
constitution of freedom and is hidden to
90 forward under that constitution. And
just as soon as it gets that leave and free
dom there will be boom of business in
this country such as we have never wit
messed in the United States
Il, as friend of business and servant
of the country, would not dare stop in this
program and bring on another long period
of agitation. Agitation longer continued
would be fatal to the business of this
country, and if this program is delayed
there will come agitation with every letter
in the word capital letter. The choice
is sober and sensible program now com
pleted or months upon months of additional
conjecture and DANGER |. for one, could
not ask this country to excuse policy
which subjected business to LONGER con-
tinued agitation and uncertainty, and there
fore am sure that it is beginning to be
evident to the whole press of the country,
and by the same token to the people, that
a constructive program is at least not only
to be proposed but completed, and that
when it is completed business can get, and
will get, what it can get no other way
rest. recuperation and successful adjust
ment cannot get rest if you send me to
bed wondering what is going to happen to
me in the morning. but if you send me to
bed knowing what the course of business |
is to be tomorrow morning can rest. |
How much better is certain justice to the |
men engaged in business.
ut is matter of conscience as well as |
a matter of large public policy to do what |
this Congress | am now certain is going |
to do-finish the program. And do not
think it is going to take a very long time.
| believe that the temper of those engaged
in this great thing is admirable; that the
various elements sometimes in antagonism
in the Congress of the United States are
drawing together, and that we shall wit
ness an early statesmanlike result for which
we shall all have abundant reason to be
thankful"
During the day the President had re-
ceived letter signed by Speaker Champ
Clark, of the House, and all the Demo-
cratic representatives from Missouri pledg-
ing him their support in his campaign for
antitrust legislation, and promising they
would remain in Washington until the pro-
gram was finished. He replied expressing
thanks and appreciation.
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