South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-13
SAYS j. 5. WILL
LEAD UNIVERSE
Ebert Gary, Steel Head, De-
CIareS Financial Strength
Will be Great Influence.

NEW YORK, Dec. I9.-The Unit
ed States can lead the world when
the European war is over
This is the prediction Of Ebert
H. Gary. chairman OF the board Of
directors OF the United States Steel
corporation.
The speech by Pres't Wilson at
Columbus, Ohio, yesterday and a
London dispatch in today's news
papers both stimulated Judge Gary's
utterances.
trade Of the world might belong to
this country when the struggle end
ed. The London cable quoted the
Berlin Vorwaerts as saying the
United States would reap the chief
commercial benefits resulting from
the war.
Judge Gary has long he'd that
American industry and commerce
can increase wonderfully at the end
OF the war. He has believed they
would exert great influence in the
world at large.
Says Growth VIII Increase.
The wealth OF this country is
more than one-quarter Of the total
Of all nations" he said "Our pro-
ductive capacity is as much in pro-
portion. Therefore. in normal times
and under normal conditions our
growth is greater in the aggregate
than any other nation. Therefore,
it is not difficult 10 see that with
the cost Of the war mounting to not
less than $4,000, 900 annually.
the loss Of productive capacity by
reason OF the death Of at least A.
100000 men annually and the per-
manent disablement OF probably
twice that number-these the very
best Of the different cOuntry's stock
the com parative growth of the
United States must be greatly in
creased.
and so the opportunities for the
United states TO extend it's influence
commercially and financially will en-
able IL to take and maintain the
leading position in the world" he
continued.
Financial Strength to Influence.
I'VE will have the financial
strength to give us an influence
which will be potential. OF course
the longer the war lasts the worse
it will be for the warning countries,
ana the better it will be for us
when the questions of comparative
strength and influence alone are con-
sidered.
The future conditions. however.
in this country will be largely de-
termined by the attitude of the gov
eminent toward capital and bust
ness. During the last few years
business growth has been retarded
by an attitude Of apparent hostility
on the part Of different branches Of
government. including particularly
the legislative and administrative
departments.
The president stated in his ad-
dress at Columbus that it is the in
tention and purpose OF the govern
ment TO cooperate with business in
every reasonable and worthy effort
to succeed. And there have been
many indications that this is the
purpose &c the present administra-
ton. However, there has been some
reason for complaint. The language
Of the president in his statement
that he stands for the average man
as against the few who are more
prosperous. or in some way privil-
eyed, may be susceptible Of two con-
structions.
Holds Principle Wrong.
IF he means he would favor the
citizen with less prosperity than the
one with more prosperity, he is
wrong in principle. The true doc
trine 1 think. should be that equal
opportunities would be offered to
every one and laws passed and adj
ministered without respect to per-
sons and classes. No class should
be favored and none should be pun
ished. Every one should be treated
alike, high or low, rich or poor.
Success should depend upon indi-
vidual effort and merit. No other
doctrine Will succeed permanently.
There is another subject OF great
importance. Those in control Of the
affairs Of this country, however gen
erous and fair they may feel and act
towards other countries, must look
first 10 the continuous prosperity
and welfare Of our own people. This
applies particularly 10 the tariff
laws. This is a business and not a
political question.
Most Of the foreign countries
have adopted tariff laws which are
highly protective. 1t is probable all
Of the European countries will adopt
measures 10 protect her business in
terests in the colonies even TO the
prejudice OF American business in
terests. In fact all OF the European
nations purchasing in the present
war will, at the close. resort to every
measure practicable for the protec-
ton and promotion Of their business
interests.
L. s. Must Do Same.
The United States must do the
same. Business in this country
should be protected to the extent it
is protected in other countries. In
every respect we should be on a
parity with other nations.
III we have real statesmen in
control OF our affairs and if we