Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-08
Preparedness Means Development.

While preparedness for national de-
Tense involves many expenditures that
are in no way useful in time Of peace.
yet many, if not most. of the essentials
of adequate preparedness are also in
tin.ately connected with the industrial
welfare Of the country in either peace
OF war Among the essentials Of ade
quate preparedness for either peace or
war is complete system Of transport
tation. Such a system Of transporta-
ton includes both permanent wagon
roads and well equipped railroads.
In nation having the territorial area
of this. and exposed to attack on either
the Western or Eastern shores, rail-
road transportation becomes particu-
larly important. The rapid move
ment of troops. guns. munitions. and
other supplies from one part Of the
country to another would be of the
utmost importance in case Of an at
tempt to land an invading army. The
tracks. which will permit constant
moving of trains in both directions, and
q considerable surplus of equipment
which will permit the handling Of ex-
traordinary traffic.
This country has announced it's def
mite and permanent policy Of engaging
80
unusual conditions which are not like
ly to occur, we shall never find our
selves engaged in a war which shall
require us to transport troops outside
our own boundaries. Our first efforts
In the line Of preparedness, therefore,
should be for naval defense against in
vasion, and preparation on land to meet
any army that might succeed in dis
embarking on our shores.
But the probability of war or Of in
vasion is so remote that we may we'll
consider the problem of preparedness
chiefly from the standpoint of our
needs in time of peace. We are to-
day relatively undeveloped country.
This is land of relatively large farm
areas, Of relatively sparse population
and large areas of untitled and unused
land. The next half century. yes, the
next quarter Of century. will wit
ness a marvellous development in all
these respects. We shall experience an
unprecedented growth, not only in our
production Of raw materials, but in our
manufactures as well. thus providing a
quantity of material for shipment many
times that now offered. To be pre-
pared to handle this business promptly
and satisfactorily. and to handle the
correspondingly increased passenger
traffic, we shall need to take advantage
of every opportunity to improve our
railroads and their equipment.
We have already provided laws and
governmental agencies for such regula-
ton Of railroads as will prevent un-
just dealings with the public. 1t re-
mains for us. therefore. in carrying out
plan of complete preparedness, to en-
courage American capital to invest in
the development of railroad enterprises,
taking due precautiop. of course, to
adequately safeguard the public inter-
est
The era of wolfing is past. There is
no need now to condemn it. There was
doubtless reason for some of it and
some good has been accomplished
though extremists have also wrought
much harm. However that may be. we
have entered upon an era OF con-
structivencss, an era OF preparedness.
and 1: hchcoves US as progressive
people to study ways and means by
which we can promote efficiency in ev-
cry liro Of Industrial and commercial
endeavor for the up building of a pros
porous nation and happy and con-
tented people.
UTha Droe;dAo$Sa AnnoalO