Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
BUSINESS AS USUAL.

j. Ogden Armour is one Of several
men of prominence in Americas fnan-
cial and business world who are ad-
vising the public to keep business at
normal during the war.
England and France have expert
enced financial depression while Amer
lea has been| coming money partially
rs result of the presence of war in
other countries and the consequent alb
normal demand for things to eat and
wear and shoot.
Now that America. has entered the
war; there will be no decrease of the
business which has brought such an
excess of prosperity. It remains for
the American people themselves to see
to it that there is no undue boarding
of money which would bring about a
financial depression here entirely with
out cause.
This is not an appeal for extrava-
CANT buving nor for the unwise indul-
gerce of credit 1t is an argument for
sane realization of the obvious fact
that money is fulfilling its purpose
only when it is in circulation. Wise
jnves tment is as far removed from ex-
travagan as is Americas present
spirit of military defense from the
kaiser's ambitious idea Of a world en-
pire for his sword.
This is the time for America to
prove its superiority among nations by
demonstrating its ability to retain its
head amid the whirI Of a world combat
and keep it's normal business moving
in the proper channels for the good OF
the country and its every citizen.
But to return TO Mr. Armour. He
was mentioned at the outset because
OF the perusal Of an interview in which
he EXPRESSED the situation in rather
admirable style. The following ex-
cerpts from the article are of interest
and to the point:
A continuation OF the great pros
perity that has ruled in this coun-
try for two years is assured. There
is an abnormal demand for every
thing the workers of this nation
can grow or manufacture. There
is work at high wages for every
man and woman who wants work:
the earning power of the people is
restricted only by physical limita-
tions: the buying power of the
public is greater than ever be-
fore. These are certain guaran-
tees of continued prosperity and
of an overwhelming scope Of our
business and industrial life.
Practically all Of the billions We
lend our allies will be spent in
this country for the products of
our soil and orr factories and for
payment of our workers. We are
the storehouse and factory of the
world now and the more money
the world can get hold Of, the
more will be sent here and the
more that comes here, the more
work and the more business will
result And in this connection,
remember the government OF the
United States is now a buyer for
war purposes and the dollars OF
Uncle Sam have already begun to
pour forth to stores. factories and
farms to paw for the expense OF
mobilizing drilling. equipping and
feeding the army and navy.
Whether the war ends tomor.
row. or whether ii lasts indefinite
w. this much is certain: The
United States. having possession
of approximately 40 Der cent of
the worlds supply Of gold, the
greatest natural resources and
geographical isolation. is certain
10 suffer less than any other ma
ton in the war or in the whole
world.
The future of our nation is Sc
cure: our business prosperity is
founded on safe ground; our labor
situation is remarkably good and
cannot conceive of sane or jus
tiiable reason why the people Of
the United States should become
alarmed over any phase Of the