The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-11
PRESIDENT IN
4 LECTURE To
BUSINESSMEN
Preparedness In New Form
Was Urged BY Mr..
Wilson
LARGE AUDIENCE
APPLAUDED HIM
Says That Business Should
Stand Squarely On Its
Own Feet
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

D ASSOCIAIED PRESS.
Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 10.-Prepar-
edness by business men to mobilize
the resources of the nation as a
measure of national defense was
urged by President Wilson here today
in ringing address before the Column
bus Chamber of Commerce.
The presidents address was .ap-
plaued by non-partisan audience of
LOO men, including many of the
leading officials and business men of
Ohio. Hin theme was the statesman
ship of industry.
The president told the business men
that it was impossible to separate
business and life as the two were in
separable. The history of business in
the United States, he said, was tied
up with the history of the nation.
The need of ships to carry the COM
merce of the nation was dwelt on.
Since the war of 1872, he declared,
the United States has purposely at
tended first to internal affairs. Some
business men, he declared, sought for
eign trade. but naapsudisregarded it,,
j The new banking and currency law
was lauded by the president as great
aid to foreign commerce. Until it was
passed, there were hardly any foreign
branches Of American banks.
He criticized the policy of protec-
ton. Business, he declared, should be
efficient, but it should not be organ
lied in order to secure monopolies.
CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE
II for my part" he said, "look for
ward to the future of American bust
ness confidence, because it has
changed its point of view"
He opposed the induction of politics
into business. He described himself
as militant democrat and added
that the democratic party wanted to
help business. Representing the idea
expressed in his message to congress,
the president said that as long as
he was president, Mexico would be al
lowed to choose its own government.
The president spoke rapidly but
carefully and used more emphatic
gestures than usual.
ri would not entrust the economic
progress Of the nation to a few
trustees" said the president,
The European war he declared, had
put the United States into a new re-
lation to the world. This nation will
have to be the reserve force of the
world, he asserted.
at is imperative, therefore, he con-
tinued, "that no obstacle shall be put
in the way of American business"
Business has been set free by the
new banging law, he added.
THE BOYS OPPORTUNITY
He spoke of the opportunities of
democratic America.
81 like to think of the boy in the
gutter" he declared, "who will some
day stand up and speak the voice of
America"
Business, the president declared,
should stand on it's own feet. Ameri-
can business men should not be afraid
to match wits with any in the world.
The typical American should be en-
tirely independent. He added that
business men do not need the help of
official Washington as much as they
think they do.
Too many businesses" he said,
"run down to Washington and say it
looks like rain; for Gods sake give
us shelter"
The president, amid great applause,
declared he believed that when the
present war is over the people OF the
world viii demand guarantees that
peace shall remain.
IF America preserves her self-pos-
session." he added, "she may exert
a great mediating influence. 1 mean
spiritual mediation, not government
mediation"
He appealed to business men to APP
ply themselves to business as il they
were building up the constitution of
the United States, and common kim
dred of all mankind.
The president concluded his address
amid great applause.