Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-10-20
EVENTS OF THE WEEK

H~S A~os N0SOoASy ~ Oo 6AASAA S0u OASoS
in the war is just announced in a bulletin from the war
department, which records the sinking Of an American
transport with the loss of about 70 of her crew. The
news columns of todays Herald will contain information
IN detail. but as this is written the bare fact only is avail
able. This loss, while not compal able to the loss that
other nations are sustaining hourly, will nevertheless
bring to all Americans a feeling of keen regret, and there
will come, too, with the knowledge, a more complete re-
Aviation Of the fact that we are actually at war, and
that before the war is over such news must be expected
from day to day.
As the news Of this loss, the first fruits Of war SO
Tar as this nation is concerned, came our people were in
the midst of a great campaign for the raising of billions of
dollars for war purposes. and at the same time are being
investigated charges of interference with the success of
the Liberty Loan by German sympathizers within the
United States, and strikes are either threatened or actual
ly in progress in the coal regions, Notwithstanding the
imperative need for coal in the largest possible quantities.
We have been tolerant Of unpatriotic speech and disloyal
action. Perhaps we have been too tolerant. But as tho
conflict assumes form. and as its necessary ccompanf-
ment of dead and wounded forces this feature on our at
tention, it will become unsafe for individuals to interfere
with the military operations Of our government, directly
Or indirectly. The danger to obstructionists will arise not
SO much from legal procedure or even the more sum-
mary methods of the military court martial, as from the
evaporation of a people who have endured too much and
who feel that the time has come when endurance must
end. 4 .
The attention of the country has been fixed on the
Liberty Loan. For a week an active campaign for the
placing OF bonds has been In progress, and the character
Of the response has been watched with interest. During
the first few days gloomy predictions were made as to
the result, but as time passed responses came from those
who had not been heard from during the first few days,
and the announcement is now made from Washington
that the subscriptions are confidently expected to exceed
very largely the amount asked for. The minimum issue
proposed is three billions, but it is now considered likely
that five billions in bonds will be issued, and that this
amount will be very largely over-subscribed. The quota
for Grand Forks is 100000 and this amount will be
reached without any doubt. The success Of the local cam
paign, aside from the loyalty Of the public, which has
been everywhere evident, is due to. the energy and splen-
did system Of the Ad club, which has had charge OF the
campaign. Under the direction Of this club the work has
been taken up In an orderly manner, and it has been pos
sible to place the facts before individuals in a manner
which could be understood. The work Of the club has
been OF value not merely in stimulating the reluctant
but in placing the facts before those who were entirely
willing in such a manner that they could reach an intel
ligent conclusion as to their own duty.
The various boards whose duty it is to provide for
the conservation and distribution Of the supplies Of all
kinds needed by our own people and by those abroad
have been at work in their various departments, and
among other things have been paying close attention to
the coal situation. The fuel problem is one of the knot
Hest that the nation has to solve. Under normal condi-
lions our capacity to produce fuel is not far ahead of
Dur ordinary demand. Recently the demand has been
greatly increased, and for various reasons production
has fallen off. The effort of the fuel administration has
been directed to the greatest possible stimulation Of coal
production, and among other obstacles with which it has
to deal it is confronted with labor troubles in various
parts of the country which in some cases have actually
closed mines.
The prospect is that heroic measures will be adopted
to put an end to these difficulties. DR.. Garfield, head OF
the fuel administration. has served notice on all persons
concerned that interruption Of production will not be toll
Grated; and the plain inference from his statement is tina,
f differences between employers and employees close