The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-10-26

had a war with no tai; whereas We
had q tax with no war. It was purely
a deficiency tax.
Only a War Prosperity.
During the first eighteen months Of
this Administration the national busi-
ness went to pieces, the sidings on the
railroads were jammed with empty
cars. and the number Of unemployed In
every great industry grew to appalling
dimensions. 1 speak here Of what 1
personally know; for less than two
years ago had to take an active part
in New York in measures to relieve the
unemployed. l then saw municipal
lodging houses crowded to overflow
ing with people desirous OF working
who could not get any work, and who
did not have enough money to pay Tor
the poorest lodging or the cheapest
meals. The unemployed were num-
~bered not by the thousands, but the
scores of thousands; and l was n ac-
tive correspondence with men and wo-
men In other cities, Chicago, Detroit
and Philadelphia, where the conditions
were just as bad as in New York. Every
kind of provision had to be made Dy
private charities and by the public au-
thorities, in order to care for the null
titude of people who wished to work
but who were in dire want because
there was no work. The misery was
widespread For instance, the Board
of Health of New York. had to pass a
special resolution allowing the eating
Of horse meat Il think the exact
phraseology gave permission to fatten
old horses for slaughter and food), be-
cause every effort had to be made to
give to those out of work the cheapest
food that would sustain life. Remem-
Der that those times were normal
There was then no war. We were at
peace. We were simply experiencing
the normal results Of legislative action
under Mr.. Wilson and the Democratic
administration.
The suffering was widespread through
out this country. Suddenly the war
came. At one stroke this country was
granted a measure Of protection great
er than any it had ever received under
any tariff in it's history. Moreover, the
demand for munitions Of war was slim
ulated to such an enormous degree as
to completely reverse trade conditions.
For example, comparing the fiscal
years ending June 30. 1914, and June
30, 1916, that is, the year before the
war and the year that has just elapsed
the losses in ordinary exports during
the last year, compared to the former
were over two hundred million dollars;
whereas there was a gain in exports
of war material of nearly two billion
dollars. If it were not for these artih-
cial conditions, the suffering from un-
employment in this country at this
time would in all probability be as
great as 1t was in 1914, and we would
have seen two or three years of an in
dustrial crisis at least as bad as any
we have ever known in our history.
The present stimulus Is artificial. 1t
will cease with the war conditions COM
ing to an end 1t will then be difficult
to avoid some suffering anyhow. If
Mr.. Wilson is kept in Office this suf-
fering will doubtless be prolonged and
acute.
"You Will Steal From Me-"
In short, you miners Of Pennsylvania,
l appeal to you, and l appeal to all
wageworkers of the United States, both
in the name of sound American citizen
ship, and also in the name Of your real
and permanent self-interest. No Amer
ican citizen can afford to put the stamp
Of his approval on any law supposed
to be passed for the benefit of anybody
without investigation, under duress of
threats or for fear Of the loss Of politi-
cal power. | ask any men who are
tempted to approve of the politician,
big or little, whom they think has
helped them by doing wrong in their
interest, to remember that the man
who for his profit does wrong in your
interest will just as unhe3itatingly DO
wrong against your interest, II ever he
thinks it to his profit to do So
This is a good rule to remember, for
laboring men. farmers, professional
men, business men, for all citizens OF
the United States, in dealing with their
public servants. If a public servant
will do wrong to please any particular
Ilass, 1t may be taken as absolutely
Iertain that he will do wrong against
the interest Of that particular class
thenever it becomes to his own prnftt
b do so.