Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-08

mere safeguards OF written law, IL |
comes, OF course. from its people. their |
energy their success in their undertake |
ings. their free opportunity TO use the
natural resources OF our great home land |
and OF the lands outside our continental
borders which look to us for protection. |
for encouragement, and for assistance
In their Developments from the organi-
zation and freedom and vitality OF our
economic life. The domestic questions
which engaged the attention of the last
congress are more vital to the nation In
this its time of test than at any other
time. We cannot adequately make ready
for any trial OF our strength unless we
wisely and promptly direct the force OF
our laws into those all-important fields
OF domestic action. A matter which Il
seems to me we should have very much
at heart is the creation OF the right I'M
strumentalities by which TO mobilize our
economic resources In any time of ma
tional necessity. take II for granted
that do not need your authority 20 call
into systematic consultation with the d.
recting officers of the army and navy
men OF recognized leadership and ability
from among our citizens who are thor
oughly familiar. for example. with the
transportation facilities OF the country
and therefore competent to advise how
they may be co-ordinated when the need
arises, those who can suggest the best
way in which to bring about prompt CO.
operation among the manufacturers of
the country, should Il be necessary. and
those who could assist to bring the techni-
cal skill of the country to the aid OF the
government in the solution of particular
problems Of defense. I only hope that II
I should find II feasible to constitute such
an advisory body the congress would be
willing to vote the small sum OF money
that would be needed to defray the ex-
penses that would probably be necessary
to give It the clerical and administrative
machinery with which TO do serviceable
work.
Mobilization Of Factories.
what is more important Is. that the
industries and resources OF the country
should be available and ready for mohili-
cation It is the more imperatively neces-
sary, therefore, that we should promptly
devise means for doing what we have
not yet done: that we should give in
teligent federal aid and stimulation to In
dustrial and vocational education. as we
have long done In the large field Of our
agricultural industry; that, at the Same
time that we safeguard and conserve he
natural resources OF the country we
should put them at the disposal of those
who will use them promptly and intelli-
gently, as was sought to be dono in the
admirable bills submitted to the last con-
IA u
lands, bills which earnestly recommend
In principle to your consideration; that
we should put into early operation some
provision for rural credits which will add
to the extensive borrowing facilities
already afforded the farmer by the re-
serve bank act adequate instrumentalities
by which long credits may be obtained
on land mortgages; and that wo should
study moro carefully than they have
hitherto been studied the right adaptation
OF our economic arrangements to chang
ing conditions.
Let Us Keep Awake.
MANY conditions about which we have
repeatedly legislated are being altered
from decade to decade. It Is evident. un-
der our very eyes, and are likely to
change even more rapidly and more
radically in the days Immediately ahead
OF us, when peace has returned to the
world and the nations OF Europe once
more take up their tasks of commerce
and industry with the energy of those
who must bestir themselves to build
anew. Just what these changes will be
no one can certainly foresee or confidently
predict. There are no calculable, because
no stable. elements In the problem. The
most we can do Is to make certain that
we have the necessary instrumentalIties
Of information constantly at our service
so that we may be sure that we know
exactly what, we are dealing with when
We come to act. IL 1t should be necessary
to act at all. We must first certainly
know what 1t IL that we are seeking 10
adapt ourselves to. 1 may ask the privi-
lege OF addressing you more at length on
this important matter little later in
your session.
| Problem of Transportation.
'Tn the meantime may make this
suggestion? The transportation problem
is an exceedingly serious and pressing
one in this country. There has from
time to time of late been reason to fear
that our railroads would not much longer
De aDle TO cope Win II successfully, as
at present equipped and co-ordinated. ]
suggest that It would be wise to provide
for a commission OF inquiry to ascertatn
by a thorough canvass OF the whole ques-
ton whether our laws as at present
framed and administered are az service
able as they might be In the solution o.
the problem. It Is obviously a problem
that lies at the very foundation of ouI
efficiency as a people. Such an inquiry
ought to draw out every circumstance
and opinion worth considering and We
need to know all sides Of the matter II
we mean to do anything In the field Of
federal legislation.
mo one. 1 am sure, would wish e
take any backward step. The regulation
OF the railways OF the country by fed.
eral commission has had admirable re
suits and has fully justified the hopes
and expectations Of those by whom tbs
policy of regulation was originally pro,
posed. The question Is not what SHOULD
we undo7 1t IL. whether there is any
thing else we can DO that would supply
US with effective means. in the yer,
process OF regulation. for lettering tn,
conditions under which the railroads ar,
operated and for making them more use
full servants Of the country as a whole
II seems TO me that It might be tn,