South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-04
STRAUSS IN PLEA
FOR MORE THRIFT
President of American Society
Says Individual ProfIigaCy
is Appalling.

KANSAS CITY, MO, March o.
That the United states is facing a
serious economic condition az a re
suit Of the heavy burdens placed
upon IL by the war abroad and by
the proverbial thriftlessness of the
rank and file of our population, was
voiced today by s. w Straus, presi-
dent of the American Society for
Thrift. In a communication pre-
scented by him 10 the committee on
thrift education of the National
Education association, of which
Straus is a member in session here,
he declared that the present alb
normal prices for commodities is an
indication of serious conditions.
Il believe every member Of this
committee is willing to admit the
seriousness OF the economic situa-
ton in America" Straus declared.
while it is true that we as a ma
ton are prosperous, it is equally in
controvertible that as individuals
we are profigate. In this country
the records of the surrogate courts,
for example, show that 50 out of
every 100 men who die leave no in
come producing estates. Only three
per cent leave estates amounting to
$4,000 or more. out of every 100
women who are left widows, only Is
are in good or comfortable circum-
stances. The other As are obliged
TO go to work, and 35 are left either
in absolute want or are. 10 a great
extent, objects of charity.
Wastefulness Is Appalling.
AT the present time. and for
several years. we have been going
through period of abnormal
prices for commodities The Amer
lean housewife today is paying her
grocer and her butcher prices that
are reminiscent. of the days OF the
civil war, but il is not specifically
the high cost of living that affords
cause for alarm. The seriousness
of the situation lies in those facts
that make the cost of living high,
and this is to a great extent thrift
The European war. which
is the most prodisious example Of
wastefulness in the history OF tne
world, is responsible 10 a great eX-
tent for the untoward conditions I'm
America. Values running far into the
billions have been wiped out in the
lands across the sea and
the end is not yet in sight. All
must help share the bur
den of this waste. Every citizen in
America today is helping to pay this
giants tax And. what is more dis
tressing, there will be no let-up with
the dawn of peace. The enormous
war bills of Europe will place a load
upon the citizens OF America for
many years to come. At the same
time we have as an additional bur
den the thriftlessness of our own
people, and this is proverbial We
are the Belshazzar of all nations.
We have for generations been seated
at the Babylonian feast of plenty.
But the hand has written upon the
wall Unless we take warning we
will suffer the fate OF that ancient
city, which for 1000 years ruled the
world with undisputed sway.
Il feel safe in saying also that
every member of this committee
VIII agree WITH me IN the aSSei 0iOi
that only through our schools can
the change from these unhappy
be brought about Begin
at the foundation. Teach thrift TO
the child of today if you would
have the man of tomorrow thrifty.
This is the chief lesson that
American history teaches US: A ma
ton which ignores the teachings of
thrift to its children will never be
thrifty -