The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-30

hypocrisy. individual indifference to the rights and interests of others, which seem to have prevented natural and legitimate progress during the past few years. so that the people generally will disregard undue personal ambition and will work together, Joining hands for the protection and promotion of the welfare of all alike. having disposition to utilize to the best advantage the privileges which this country affords. it will be only a question of time. and short at that, when the United States will be firmly estab- lished as the leading country of the world. Times and conditions are suspicious. The United States, with it's vast wealth and resources should be the financial, indus trial and commercial center of the world; 1; and to corresponding degree will be op- portunites for worthy achievement fin every direction. To the extent that we prosper legitimately and without prejudice may be able to render assistance to oth- CTS who may need and are willing to ac- cept it. 4 s.4s
 Faith in Possibilities
 ''It is wise for all of usAwho are here to- day to place our faith in the wonderful possibilities of this country. In this con nection it is to be remembered there Is a growing sentiment throughout the coun- try in favor of just and fair treatment to ali the people and all departments of human endeavor. There is a decided change for the better in this respect. Much has been said during the last few years in favor of according full attention to the rights of individuals, particularly those less fortunate in the contest to &C., quire the comforts of life: and this is right and must not be minnized nor in- terfcred with; but in discussing these questions writers and speakers have some times been unrea soma bla in nlacino tha blame for objectionable conditions. How ever, 1t now seems clear that In the fu- ture greater regard will be had for the rights and interests of all classes of the people without discrimination. Equal jus tice will be done to all. rich or poor, strong or weak. Politics or partisanship will not be used to obstruct the normal and legitimate growth of the country; and one of the most gratifying and encourag- Ing signs of the times is the attitude of the leaders in public discussion and of the administrators of public affairs.
 About three years since a few of us had the privilege of meeting in Great Britain and continental Europe the lead ing representatives of the iron and steel manufacturing interests of the world For several days we were in close associa- tion with those men and became well acquainted with them and the spirit and motives which dominated their attitude and treatment of one another. The coun- tries represented included England. Scot land, Wales, Belgium, France. Germany, A ustria, Italy, Russia. Spain, Hungary, Canada and the United States All were Lecuniarily interested in the iron and steel industry. All were active competitors, individual concerns of single country with each other and each country with all other countries While those engaged in many respective lines of manufacture were protected to considerable extent against ruthless and destructive antago- nisms by virtue of cartels or arrange nients, recognized. if not fostered. by the chief authorities of their respective countries, yet there existed rivalry and competition which might, and at times no doubt did, produce feelings of envy and dissatisfaction. Nevertheless it was evident that a feeling of business friend ship permeated the minds and influenced the conduct of these men, and this in the main tended to establish and uphold an orderly and profitable management of the affairs entrusted to them. And the disposition shown towards and the hos- pitality extended to the Americans by all others on this occasion secured for them our everlasting gratitude and es- teem Those of us who were enabled tc participate will never forget the incl cents connected with our visit in Eng
 
 disposition shown by everyone to evi- dence his respect for and confidence in his rivals ir business. Also, we remem- her. with grateful appreciation, the cor dial reception given to us by the King of Belgium .and the interest he mani fested in theSbusiness welfare of the rep resentatives of other nations. In passing I will add that if the large numbers of business men who represented on this memorable occasion all of the countries engaged in the iron and steel industry could have had opportunity to consider and determine the questions leading up to the war which is raging in Europe there would have been no war. These intelligent, experienced. practical, sensi- ble and Christian men, being from time to time in close contact, and therefore well acquainted with each other. would have been patient. considerate and fair minded and would have made adjust ments and reached conclusions calculated to, protect the interests of all and to prevent the possibility of the present de- plorable hostility.
 The European Cataclysm
 And beca use the subjects attracts our attention and occupies our minds almost to the exclusion, for portion of the time at least. of all other topics: and also for the purpose of making appli- cation to our own afrairs. ask your in- dulGence while I briefly refer to the catnclysm which envelopsp . larxs por-