South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-28

because their soldiers are not furnish
ed with adequate equipment or sup
plies. They were not prepared at the
beginning of hostilities, perhaps be-
cause war was not expected. But even
so, they probably did not Immediately
after war was declared use the dill
gence required 70 supply their necessi-
ties as they now appear We may
learn by their misfOrtuneS. But war
should be the last resort. When the
present war shall have ceased we must
be on a friendly footing with all the
nations. II our financial and business
conditions are such as we claim they
may and ought to be, we may be
profitable customers of each of the
foreign nations. while at the same
time we supply our necessities and
comforts. and they in turn will pa
trOnize US There will be, no doubt,
vigorous competition and the foreign
nations will do their utmost to secure
and retain the trade of agricultural
countries who are large importers of
manufactured products. However,
it is not active competition we fear.
provided we are properly protected by
our government All we need and all
we ask is an open field and a fair
chance, on an equal basis, TO compete
with all nations for a reasonable share
of the worlds business. We extend to
hand of business friendship. and we
ask for their friendship in return.
Moreover, we ask for similar recipro-
cal relations between the leading po-
litical forces of the United States and
ourselves TO the full extent that we
deserve.
The Business outlook.
l will add a few words in regard to
present business conditions. AS you
know, during the last three years l
have not been especially encouraged
as TO the immediate future, but as TO
the long future 1 have been a great
optimist for reasons which have been
given from time to time. Assuredly
we may build our hopes and expecta-
tions on the opportunities which this
country offers It seems TO me at the
moment the outlook for Improvement
in our lines of activity are better than
they have been for more than a year.
This is undoubtedly in part the result
| of increased expectations at fair prices
due to the European wars, but in my
opinion also because of a change in
sentiment toward business, which now
seems apparent. The captain Of indus
| try will again become popular in the
I United States, and this sentiment has
been brought about by the efforts Of
business men TO satisfy the public in
regard to their reasonable demands.
| The individual, or aggregation of indi-
viduals. or the nation, whose standard
| OF conduct conforms TO the golden rule
will on the average secure the largest
pecuniary success.
| The clouds Of distress, suspicion and
hostility are breaking. In the rift we
may see the sunlight of better things
land better conditions.
| In closing / quote from the speech
! Of Mr.. Robinson at Chicago in pre-
senting for your consideration a de-
sign. afterward adopted by you as the
seal of this institute the sentiments of
which influence all OF our delibera-
] tons
I'm its detail this seal shows you
the sword and the spear transfused by
the alchemy of wisdom into the plOw-
| share and the pruning hook
| The crucible represents the birth
of steel the steel of war. and the steel
OF peace; but these simply surround
the central motif the spirit OF coop
GRAFTON symbolized by the bird of inn
mortality. rising from the ashes OF dis
cord. enmity and strife into the rays
OF enlightened life.
In its fuality. the seal bound boy
the sturdy oak and wreathed with
leaves OF olive, FORMS perhaps. a fit
ting laurel 10 the strength of unity
4 and the gospel OF cooperation"