The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-18

!
no time for the indulgence OF SELF
ish personal aspirations TO acquire
sudden wealth through the misfor-
tunes ~ others ana irrespective OF
the welfare OF our country at large.
We can only meet the grave respon'
sibilities that have been thrust
upon Us by earnest cooperation IL
matters OF statecraft, economies
and finance.
TO all human appearances We
are entering upon a period OF the
greatest material prosperity that
this or any other nation ever en-
joyed. Nature has blessed us with
bountiful harvests for two seasons
in succession and the world awaited
impatiently the ripening OF these
harvests TO pour in upon us a flood
OF gold In exchange for our surplus
food products.
Another feature OF Importance
on the constructive side OF industry
In the United States Is the fact
that since 1907, we have had the
soft pedal on our home expendi.
lures Both individuals and cor.
porations have been economixing to
the utmost and when the European
war broke out there was In the
United States' practical suspen.
sion. OF every expenditure that could
possibly be avoided
THE result Is that the country n
thoroughly liquidated. do not re-
fer To liquidation In the stock and
commodity markets, but 20 that
more comprehensive liquidation
that goes clear down through the
stocks OF foods In the hands OF the
jobber, the retailer and the con-
sumner. The railroads great
est spenders OF money OF any OF
our corporations. whom they have
it-have been forced TO economics
to the last extreme. Because OF
this fact many of them are now ur-
prepared TO handle the avalanche
OF freight that is being offered and
the country IL confronted with pos
sible serious embarrassment from
lack OF adequate transportation
facilities.
Just ct the time when oppor.
tunlty has laid the commerce OF the
world at cur doors we are dismsy.
ed with the fact that the laws OF
our country are driving from the
seas almost the last American flag
that floats over a merchant ship.
II Is dificult for me TO even dis
cuss this matter with ordinary
posure.
"Our business men, IN all the
walks OF life. have given to tn
dustrial America It's prestige, ex.
ceeded by no other nation But.
doubtless for reasons sntiFfActory
10 themselves and unnecessary to
discuss here, the lawmakers OF our
country have spared no effort 10
discourage and humiliate the pro-
motors Of all this industry and TO
deprive the country OF the benefits
OF their genius and hard work.
I'VE want all OF our great indus
tries to be conducted In spirit
OF fairness and on a basis a right
eousness. When they are so con-
Quoted We want them 10 reap the
legitimate fruits VI their genius.
industry and courage. without ter
rorisn, at the hands OF seif-seeking
politicians. say these things with
no intention whatever OF encrosch-
ing upon the field Of political con-
troversy. But. II the discussion OF
economic propositions In which We
are all vitality Interested unavoid-
ably trenches upon political i'm
hecility so much the worse for pol
tics"
The convention was opened at 10
a. m. by the president. Walter b.
Cherry. of Syracuse. n. Y. Tho
opening invocation was delivered By
the Rev. II. wray Boyle. and In the
absence from the city of Mayor
Marx. the welcome on behalf Of the