Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-22

guarantee honorable settlement Tor the
labor he employs and the bills he con-
tracts for seed, tools and fertilizer. than
it is for the government to demand
guarantee Of interest on the dollars II
loans the farm soldiers? The govern
ment guarantees rations. at LEAST, 10
its OTHER soldiers.
Why is 1t barter" for one and the
soul Of propriety for the other?
The Wall Street Journal quotes a
steel manufacturer:
I'm the desire to serve our country. the
steel manufacturers will take their stand
in the front rank. They will not question
the right or the propriety OF the Govern
ment insisting on preference being given
TO war materials over any other orders
on their books
In fixing the prices. however, they feel
that there is grave danger in any policy
which attempts to arbitrarily fix the
prices received at a low figure. while most
OF the factors entering into the cost are
not and in the nature Of the case, cannot
be- limited.
Such a course must inevitably have
disturbing influence on many lines or
trade, as we must assume that the Gov
eminent is not going to discriminate
against the steel trade. but will attempt
to fix arbitrarily prices on all commodi-
ties. including raw materials. which are
directly or indirectly required for national
defense.
The safe and more profitable method
would be to place the Government pusl-
ness at current market rates, less such
discount as would be given to any
other large and responsible buyer: insist
on preference being given over all other
business: and then, when the manufac-
turer has made his profit under fair COM
petitive conditions. take from him by
taxation his fair proportion of whatever
may be necessary to provide the funds
for the prosecution of the war.
L hope my severe critic will take
cognizance of this spirit Of barter,
and protest to the steel manufacturers
at once.
Mr.. Hight takes a ground that is alb
solutely unfair and unjust, by insisting
that the farmer is NOT doing all he
can, and that he is even UNWILLING
(unless constantly heckled and insult
ed) to do more if he can get the help
that will make it profitable to the gov
eminent instead of half-ac-
complished, ill-advised attempt, sure
TO result in waste and disaster.
Just now, it seems to me, there are
altogether too many people who are
eXpend1ng all their energies in making
patriots out of somebody else
Ii L were to write an editorial suggest
ing what others should do, instead of con-
timing myself to the defense of those who
are not as a class gifted in defense of
themselves, l would suggest in it that
Mr.. Hight become active at once in be-
half Of his country. and devote that
splendid power Of his, that natural per-
suasive gift, and that legal equipment
to organizing financial backing for farm
ers who are unable to secure, under pres
ent provisions, the necessary where
withal to cultivate their acres. OF course
there would be an element of chance in
it, for some of the crops might be fall
ure and the farmer, now bankrupt, un-
able to pay, but wouldn't it be worth
chance, as patriotic service?
What if such combination Of capital
backing land and labor, SHOULD find
themselves in debt this fall-would it be
too much? 1t would not be as bad as the
loss of some Of their neghbors whose
sons die in the trenches.
Is it any worse for a banker or 4
wealthy business man to invest some OF
their surplus in endeavor to aid the gov
eminent. and lose that portion, than 1t is
for the farmer who is unable to give Sc
curity for dollar, to give his time and
lose ALL?
I would ask THAT of Mr.. Hight in all
fairness, and then I would say to him:
sit is your duty to do these things for
YOU could. YOU are not farmer and
you have proven that you know abso-
lutely nothing about farmers or the con-
ditions prevailing in farming commune
ties. but you COULD do that, and hence
it is your patriotic DUTY. Go to It,
friend, and what if you DO give your
time for nothing? 1t is the country's
cause and no worse than many of your
neighbors are doing in giving sons and
labor and money. Never mind If 1t doesn't
provide a living, meanwhile; you should
not barter for thing so SMALL
That is just a smell of what I would
write if / were going into the class ad-
visory business Go ahead, son, and do
your part-take your own medicine.
d CIJADROITPNE