The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-23

to the daily conduct of the war; if all these startling facts and figures were of universal knowledge would not the masses of the people, including the sol diers In the ranks, rise up in such wig orous protest against a continuance of the conflict as to compel the men in con tiol to find some way of bringing it to satisfactory termination and for the establishment of a basis which would prevent future, prolonged wars? If, in- deed, before the wars were started the
 masses of the people of the different coCn- tris had been informed that wars weE9 to be started. and the reasons or lack of reasons for starting them, would they have submitted to their precipitation? Tt is not too much to demand that the people should know the reasons for the commencement and the continuance of the pending wars and they should understand the awful consequences. Those who are directly affected and must bear the bur- dens are, in large measure, ignorant of the facts which have been suppressed, partly at least, because knowledge of those facts would prevent a continuance of the most stupendous, if not the most unreasonable destruction of life and prop erty the world has ever witnessed
 'I leave this subject by proposing as a substitute for the quotation referred to at the beginning of these remarks the fol l. lowing from the Bible (Romans xiv:7:
 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself"
 Present Business Conditions
 The business men of this country, par ticularly those engaged in the iron and steel trade, have reason to be thankful for the present conditions, which are very prosperous. The furnaces and mills are generally operating to full capacity and prices received for many, if not most, O; the commodities produced are larger than they have been during the last few years and should result in profits.
 We are at peace with all the world and it seems likely that the wise policy which has permitted this state of affairs will be continued. We sincerely hope and pray that the wars which are raging in Europe may soon be brought to a close and basis reached for the prevention of of prolonged wars in the future.
 Apparently we are to have a period of industrial peace in this country. Many of the antagonisms, which have hitherto been so hurtful and which have pre- vented natural business growth have dis appeared and legitimate business will, therefore, have opportunity to progress in accordance with its deserts. -
 NO doubt the sudden and marked in,- provement in conditions during the la St six months Is due, in large measure, di- rectly or indirectly, to the purchasing necessities growing out of the wars; but there are other reasons.
 The Future of the United States
 "The total wealth of the United States, according to the last published figures, is more than one-fourth of the aggregate of all the nations and it is rapidly in- creasing. Many of us believe that we may become and remain the leading na- ton, financially, commercially and indus trially. provided nothing unnecessary Is done by our people to prevent. Person. ally. I do not agree with the statements which have been made that, at the close of the wars. we may expect in this coun- try prolonged continuance of the great prosperity now experienced especially if we do not have protection against the results of cheap labor and the impover- ished conditions abroad. which are inevi- table. do think that, with wise adminis- tration and with the cooperation of the state and national governments, our in- dustries will be able to recover from the injurious effects of the wars much more rapidly than those of any other country, and that within a few years we shall be more successful than ever before.
 'sThe value of good crops we all under stand and appreciate. Evidently the sea-