Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-12-15
PROSPERITY WILL
NOT END WITH THE
STOPPING OF WAR

-
john N. WHY'S, of Toledo, O., Presi-
cent of the Willys-Overland Company,
at the second day session of the
tenth annual convention of the Associ-
alton Of Life Insurance Presidents
Il think we are just getting started"
said Mr.. WHY'S. I'VE have long had
natural resources. The war has awak
ened us to their more efficient develop
ment Europe must be rebuilt after
this war ends. We will have tho
trained men as never before. 1t will
be our work. The profits will be ours.
There is warrant only for optimism.
But if we are to realize our commerce
ial ultimate, there must be minimum
cCrbing of individual aggressiveness.
The amazing ADVANCE of the motor
car industry proves what American
men can do if left free hand
In 1905 there we're in the United
States only 10000 automobiles, De-
cember l, 1916, saw 3,352,000 cars,
representing an approximated cash
value of two billion dollars. Think
Of the growth from 10000 to 1885,
600 cars in one decade. The founders
OF the industry had optimism. Opti-
mism has reaped its rewards. Look
at the changes the motor car has
wrought in our daily life. 1t has bet
terou 1t III every factor, urban and
rural, social and commercial
Hope of Country Lies in Efficiency.
There is no greater error in our
ratiohal lite than failure justly to ap-
praise the patriotism of the American
merchant, manufacturer and financ-
Ter, l genuinely believe that the
hope Of our country lies in the effic-
iency that we have developed in So
called Big Business and in the pa
t6iotic willingness of the men who
control this efficiency to devote its
full power to the safeguarding of the
nation. Industrial efficiency in this
country goes far beyond government
al efficiency. This can be said with
cut any lack of patriotism. The very
nature OF our institutions, the work.
ing out of our democracy, precludes
in government methods that perman-
ency so essential to utmost efficiency.
There are those who concede this
superior commercial efficiency, but
who condemn 1t as being applied to
purely personal ends. They argue that
the industrial chieftain has an eye
City Ior the dollar, that he is blind-to
) larger considerations of abstract pa
trotism. Gentlemen, this Is an injus-
tee that cannot too ardently be re-
futed. Our history disproves it. The
unselfish devotion of contemporary
big men is further rebuttal. The big
visioned business man rises with his
obligations He has motive of highest
patriotic impulse. He is eager to 20
ordinate his activities with those Of
other great industrial concerns and
with government experts to do what
is best Off the advancement of the
country in time of peace and for its
protection in time of war.
Il want to be specific. / want to
deal with my own industry which Of
fcrs an especially valuable demonstra-
ton of how private enterprises may
become public benefastions. The
makers of motor cars rank equally
with producers of ammunition in their
potential possibilities of military ser
vices to the country.
Motor Vehicles Twice Saved France.
Motor vehicles in the present war
have twice saved France from EXTERN
ination. When the peril was Creates,
when the onrush of the Germans in
September had brought them almost
within sight Of Paris, General CALI
eni, then Military Governor OF Paris
rushed troops in motor vehicles by the
thousands to the aid of General Foch.
They turned the tide and made posi-
BILE the victory we know as the battle
OF the Marine. Motor trusks haved
Terdun.
Let Americans take hope in the
immense motor car facilities we have
here. Millions of cars, hundreds of
thousands of trucks are available.
Men to drive them are plenty. The
automobile plants could produce as
many more cars as possibly could be
needed.
Legislation should be scientific. 1t
becomes aggression the instant it at
tempts more than legitimate protection
to the public.
Let us have full scope to develop
that initiative which is the main spring