The Washington times., 1914-04-26
CALLS SPENDING
NATIONAL HABIT
Congressman Moore Shows
Need for American Society
for Thrift, Giving Figures.

The diamonds. rings. gold chains, and
other articles of jewelry we bought for
our sweethearts. wives, and daughters
during the last five years foots up a
total that is more than twice the sum
spent by the United States Government
to dig the Panama Canal. We are spend
ing more than 900 a year for chew
ing gum in the United States alone. Our
national tobacco habit burned up ap-
proximately ss5o.ooo.oo last year.
These remarkable figures are a few
Of the reasons given here today by
Congressman ]. Hampton Moore, OF
PENNSYLVANIA, for the high cost Of Iiv-
Ing in this country, condition which
he deplores as being unnecessary II the
people VIII pay some attention to the
ordinary demands for economy and rea-
sonable habits of life. Mr.. Moore's
of the American Society for Thrift, OF
which Simon ". Straus. Of Chicago. is
president.
Thrift Society Needed.
THE necessity for an organization
which teaches economy and thrift to
nation which seems mad about spend
ing money is apparent to every think
ing person." declared Mr.. Moore
I'm the fiscal year that ended last
June we spent more than 5000, OOO, 900
for intoxicating drinks. In the twelve
months OF last year the people OF this
country ate candy and confectionery
that cost upward of so, 900. 900 = an
amount sufficient to put string of
inland waterways I'D and down the At
lantic seaboard. Our bill for soda water
and other Notwithstanding beverages
has amounted to sS2o,Ooo.oco i2 single
year.
As far back as the year 1906 the auto
mobile bill Of this country was in ex
cess of $50 10000. and since then this
item has gone into the hundreds or
millions. The comparatively small item
of twenty-five or thirty million dollars
a year for chewing gum Is enough
money to build and equip a canal thirty
five feet deep and reaching from Balu-
more to Philadelphia.
What does such a stupendous record
of extravaganza mean? 1t means that
the time has come for an organization
like the American Society for Thrift TO
call the people back to some IDEA OF
the real values of money and the I'M
portance OF living their lives On rea-
sonable and economical basis The pub
lie can not longer deiude itself with the
idea that the tariff and other laws are
responsible entirely for the hisn COST
of living. The people must face the
fact that their own habits have innated
the price of existence
Since the days OF Adam ~ has fsrn
the fashion for human beings TO credit
their misfortunes to the deeds and mis-
deeds of others: and. IN the last rev
wears, il has been a special fad amonc
Americans to lament the high cost OF
living and to place the blame for such
conditions on the tariff. the trusts, snd
any other agencies conveniently near az
hand.
Extravagance National Hasit.
There is yet to be heard an admis-
sion from the people of the United
States that they. collectively and indi-
,Idually, are in any way responsible for
the high. and in some places enormous
prices they are now paying for food
stuffs and the necessities o: life. But.
as matter of fact. this eNtraNagancs
has come 20 be a national habit among
us, and seIf-indulgence. the natural
child of extravaganza. has walked hand
in-hand with our willingness TO spend
money-a willingness which at times
amounts to eagerness.
"It has been said that We are a na-
tion money-mad bent only on the ae-
cunuIation of wealth. tine building up o.
1sst fortunes This - only h1iE the
tluth. We are also & rnuneN-Spen,linS-
rnud people We dsvotS HIr IIleEts and
energies to the task o. Ic2FE 'Ilatin:
riches We -at the riches bEt w
throw them away"