New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04

such management mas owen Dtc!l ~
tremclv wasteful and expensive. Mueh
Of the work done during the war by me
governments Will doubtless 60 back INTO
private hands Nevertheless. certain
lines of Industry, monOpolistic M iheIf
nature Will probably remain perma-
uonrlv either under government man
aoomapt or under more careful govern
ment supervision and control. The war
has given US a test that will enable us
10 see what governments can do ln
times Of emergency. The wise states
man will. of course. recognize the fac'
that IL is not TO be expected That e%-
sctlv the same result. will folio" III
limos of peace Nevertheless, one OF
the results of the war will be much
more careful and intelligent discussion
of the policy OF government ownership
and management. and possibly some
thing of an extension of government ac-
tivities.
Benefits TO Be Expected.
6. Inc dangers TO be guarded
against IL has seemed 10 me best TO
sneak Of frankly. We should also recog-
ME that there are likely 10 be certain
undoubted benefits that we may retain.
"a Not little o. the new trade
that will have sprung up between the
United States and South America ana
the Orient may be retained, II We are
wise. Moreover. 3 rather largely eN-
tended new trade with some OF inc
bclligcrent countries Great Britain,
France, Italy along certain lines can
probably he maintained. The French
comm sion that is here TO make CON
tracts for o supply OF machinery ana
other merchandise heretofore bought
from Germany IS an indication o. What
lnay be expected along many lines II
our business men are alert and not too
eager for immediate and large profits.
Ib) Such new trade means also the
DEVELOPMENT in this country OF new in
dustries and a great increase IN many
of Our old industries. Earnest efforts
are being made, for example, TO esta0-
lish the dyeing industry here. Should
that be established u would doubtless
need 10 be protected for time against
the connection Of Germany when the
war closes. but. nevertheless. II may
well prove 10 be permanent industry.
MANY other illustrations of industries
that arc practically new might be gwen,
besides the certainty that We can, II we
Twill. increase greatly our production
along other lines by retention OF mar
tets gained on account of the war.
II should not be forgotten that a. the
close Of the war we shall have the adj
vantage Of our great competitors IN
many particulars. Even # ve should
ourselves eventually be drawn into "ar,
their financial exhaustion IS sure 20 be
much more complete than ours. We snail
have the capital we shall have the
labor force. Their capital VIII be
greatly depleted. Their burdens OF tax
alton will be enormous; their LABOR
forces will for long time be democrat
lied, and. with the high prices OF living
will probably be for a considerable time
relatively less efficient than before. As
has earlier been intmsted. our en-
plovcrs and our lsborers should sec 70
/ IL that they keep together in sympathy
with the common interests of the coun-
try in mind. 50 as 70 conduct our bust
ness at the greatest efficiency instead
of wasting efficiency by needless quar-
rcls.
/ Again We are beginning TO establish
the monetary and banking facilities
needed for extending our trade
abroad. We are beginning 20 be
creditor nation. II the war continues
we shall 90 much further in this direc-
ton. Another year or two OF war and
we may become the greatest creditor
nation. We have learned already not
little as result OF tho war We
must be bold in our action after tn
war to reap the best results, but we
must still be conservative.
If we can use good judgment and
reasonable degree Of foresight, be
ginning our work now and continuing
on some definite lines Of policy, the
future promises we'll. Or action
should be cooperative between govern
ment and private parties, among bust
ness men. and between employers and
workingmen. Shall we have the Wis
dom to put into the background parti-
san poliiical advantage and the selfish
desire for immediate gain OF certain
factions of industry at the expense OF
others. and TO work intelllgently and
comparatively for the good Of our ooun-
try? If 30. the opportunities nov seem
more promising than ever hefore in
our history. Is such Intelligent. IN
selfish cooperation TOO much TO nope