Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-06-27
rnOTTT AND pATRIoTrsNT.

Some OF the large corporations IN
Baltimore have offered their em-
ployees who are members Of the state
militia full pay or partly full pay
while they are absent on military
duty and unemployment upon their
return. In other cities and states
the same generous offers Of employ
ers obtain. This is a commndabl in
novation in warfare.
AS one employer has put IT, "The
facts which influence us are these:
A number of our employees have
abandoned good jobs in which they
were earning comfortable livings to
answer the call of the country; many
Of them who have been unable to
save anything have left wives and
families dependent upon them for
support; If we did nothing It would
mean that such men would be giving
themselves and sacrificing their fam
lilies, while we continued to make
about as much money as usual, per-
haps more. We don't want to let
ourselves be placed in any such
position. We want to do something.
SO as Americans we have gladly obli-
gated ourselves to protect our em-
ployes." 1t is doubtful If there be
an American employer who, position
ed TO do so. would not act as the
gentleman quoted has acted.
Unfortunately, however, there are
many employers who are not able to
continue keeping men on the payroll
during their absence for any greater
length of time. They may be willing,
but their bank account cannot stand
tho strain. Therefore Congress should
provide for tho families Of such men
whose wages win not be continued
by their former emloyers. Ii is the
country's duty to do So
But nevertheless it is pleasing to
observe the action of those employers
of large numbers Of present or po-
tential militiamen in protecting the
interests OF those of their employees
who have responded or may respond
to "the call Of the country" 1t is
equally pleasing TO note themanner in
which certain American ladies have
started 4 movement for the relief of
families left behind by the men who
have answered this call; and to read
that other American ladies, on their
way to nurse and succor the wounded
in Europe. have promised to return
for similar service in this country
should war unfortunately eventuate
with Mexico
A harsh note is struck. however,
says B. II. Ridder, by Howard e.
Coffin, Chairman Of the Industrial
Preparedness Committee Of the Naval
Consulting Board. when he announ-
ces that he is going to bring to the
attention Of the War Department the
inadvisability of calling for military
duty, skilled workmen who are en-
gagged IN Industrial plants mapufac-
turing war munitions" One repre-
sentative Of the munitions industry
Is quoted as having said to Chairman
Coffin that tho call to arms will cause
his plant to lose between 500 and 600
skilled workmen, part Of whom are
already members of state militia.
There is observable here, as there
has been through all the attempts OF
the Allies to keep out Of war with
Mexico, while holding us responsible
for Mexico's conduct, the desire to
profit at our disadvantage.
We were called upon. and rather
brusquely, by Great Britain, year
or so ago, to keep the oil fields about
Tampico open to her navy. We are
importuned now not to go to war
with Mexico lest by so doing we en-
danger the oil supply of her and her
allies fleets. We are finally cautioned
not to make the same mistake that
England did in the beginning Of the
European war-stripping Factories
and leaving the important task OF
providing AMMUNITION for the rifle in
unframed and unskilled hands.
The deletion. Of course, of 500
skilled makers Of bullets for British
barrels, from our Industrial ranks, is
cause for some concern to the Brit
ish. Should It, however, give us
cause to worry?
While war with Mexico would
probably be protracted, the munitions
makers in this country, who have
coined towns to meet the require
ments of Europe. ought to be able to
spare to their flag half thousand
men, and still be able to meet the
munitions need Of the government.
Supposing their argument valid
however, would it not be patriotic
and considerate of them, who are
making so much out of war, to ven
ture generous contribution to the
relief of those who are compelled to
give all they hold nearest and dearest
in life to the altar which munitions
makers erect?
And, falling this display Of pa
triotism, would it not be in order to
lay a tax upon their excessive profits,
and out Of this revenue succor those
made widows and orphans by the
bullets which have been moulded in
the plants-p perhaps, by those very
Americans to whose bodies they Will
return from the rifles of Mexican
bandits or the machine guns Of Car
rama?
ni11 Gahnn- n milrne sic ..91nrlnn lidh