The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-04-04
PAIGE EXECUTIVE
ON AREDNESS
MEETING OF d. A. G.. HEADS
PLEDGE SUPPORT IN NATIONAL
GUARD WORK.
Maj. Waldo, Light Infantry, Capt. Pick
ert, Detroit Calvary, Show Military
Training Gives Workers Efficiency

Training Gives Workers Efficiency
A powerful stimulant to the policy
OF preparedness has been given by
the entrance of the Paige-Detroit
Motor Car company with an intelli-
gent and determined purpose to in
still spirit Of loyal citizenship into
the workers of this huge organiza-
ton
The Paige company is one of a
number of Detroit manufacturing
concerns to set the nation an ex-
ample in advocating and working for
some reasonable plan of adequate
national defense This activity in
preparedness is only another strik-
ing proof of the big mindedness and
broadness Of outlook of the execu-
tives in the Automobile industry.
H. NJ Jewett, president of the
Paige company, set forth the policy
Of preparedness at the last monthly
departmental meeting, when more
than seventy heads of the different
manufacturing departments of the
Paige plant were gathered to promote
factory cooperation and efficiency.
In an informal but rousing talk Mr..
Jewett drove home some startling
facts that showed the helplessness of
the country in the event of hOstilities
against us by any foreign power. He
pointed out that now more than ever
before this country was a prize SO rich
and valuable that it was a positive
temptation All the foreign countries
at strife have been pouring in their
millions of dollars III orders for war
materials until there is in the United
States today more billions of dollars
in gold than have ever been accumu-
lated by any other two countries in
the world $ history.
One startling statement made by
Mr. Jewett will make every red
blooded, patriotic American stop in
sober thought. 1t is this: Two whole
years would be needed by the United
States to prepare itself for repelling
Toe from our shores. There are in this
country today but approximately $780,
900 Springfield rifles and 2,000,000,000
ing trained army of a million men
there would be no rife equipment anG
not enough ammunition to last in a
two-hour battle.
The imperative need of prepared
ness in this country, Mr.. Jewett ex-
planned, was brought home by study
ing the methods and results of the
nations at war. The only way to keep
this nation out of war is to be strong
enough and ready enough to enforce
our wish for peace.
Mr. Jewett made a most earnest
plea to the executives of the indus
tries of the country to interest them
selves in the conditions OF the coun-
try and to realize why our unprece-
denied prosperity is bringing us to
the notice of foreign countries, whose
present plight might make them see
an opportunity in such a wealthy and
such pitifully weak opponent.
The program of national prepared
ness is big, vital issue of special
Importance to every American bust
ness man. Certainly business institu-
lions which have prospered and de-
veloped in this land of opportunity
owe tremendous debt to that govern
ment which has made their prosperity
possible. Therefore, from the business
men throughout the country must be
expected that loyal and determined
cooperation that will work for and
establish real preparedness.
Let us conider for a moment the
pitiful condition of business in the
countries at war. Let us come to a
realization of what might be expected
here should a short sighted policy
create a crisis that would make us the
victim of a foreign invasion. Such
possibility would mean ruin and
devastation to American business.
This is a time when business men
should set aside purely personal in
terests and work with unselfish
first efforts should be directed to
making employees understand the
privileges as well as the responsible
ties of American citizenship. Every
man should be informed as to the
character of the National Guard-its
peculiar advantages and influences for
good socially, physically and morally
Executives should not begrudge
the little time required by National
Guard members to participate in the
annual encampment. On the con-
trary, by recognizing and rewarding
employees, who show enough loyalty
and interest in their country to belong
to the National Guard, would prove an
effective help to the untiring efforts
of the National Guard officers.