Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-19
COMMON SENSE.

COMMON SENSE.
Yesterday The Courier mad occasion
to criticise two members or Presloenl
Wilson's cabinet, Secretary Daniels
and Secretary Baker Because OF TINS
criticism, in part, it is a pleasure 10
call attention to the presence IN lne
same cabinet OF one man VINO meas
ures up to the specifications.
Secretary Lane is big man, WIN
4 hip vision and a sensible view This
has been impressed on the country
several times since the government en-
tered the war. AS secretary OF the in
terror he has found numerous avenues
by which his department and its varl-
Gus bureaus might be Of help to the
government. Nor did he need the war
to bring his patriotism to the surface.
His II am Flag address. written
year or two ago, Is verltapie text
book of patriotism In condensed form.
In numerous speeches and addresses
both before and since America entered
the war, he has evidenced well-bal-
anced mind and shown that be is PROOF
against the hysteria which has attack
ed some of his fellow officials at this
time when they should be carrying
level heads.
The latest product Of Secretary
Lanes able pen is bit of timely ad-
vice to Americas business interests on
the broad text, Business as usual.
He discusses a phase which lies at the
very root OF the question and makes
an appeal for unselfshness during the
war period g he ground that selfish
ness not Oh. would be disloyal but
short s'-hted as well.
An eApertly yelled threat is to be
found in his address which business
men will do well to heed. In eject he
SAYS that the government. in order to
protect the public from unjust price
imitation, proposes to go to any length
in the enforcement OF control meas
ures. But he promises that the pro-
cess will be slow and that the business
interests viii be given an opportunity
70 do right voluntarily before any
steps are taken to compel them to DO
right.
Mr. Lane is not socialist, but he
a ready to assume his share OF the re-
sponsibility for inflicting upon the pub.
lie some socialistic practices. with all
their faults ind improprieties. II such
course is rendered advisable by
disposition among business men to
wiring huge profits from war-ridden
community.
He says:
Strong limitation must be
placed on competition in those
things vital to the nation. Bust
ness must accept regulation OF
food to promote production and
rs - TherA Yf1rat
be power to control the few who
are not wise enough to do the
thing really best for them as well
eas for US. Our chief reliance must
always be upon the people who are
IN business. Most Of them have
no desire to make the nation their
victim. The only reason to justify
= extension Of governmental power
would be to curb the blind and sell
fish few.
The extent to which this country
will be turned toward socialism
will be determined by the bust
ness men. We will emerge high
n soeialistic state--if cooperation.
GOOD sense and Temperance do not
achieve our ends. II business
seeks all the advantages of it's OPP
portunity and charges what the
trafiic will bear: If it is intemper-
ate and goes upon a debauch OF
profits, the people in self-protec-
ton will follow the tendency of all
governments to make hard and
fast rules Business thinking only
of today and Of quick money will
bring upon itself rigid restriction
and government control. The
people will give their officers pie
nary power and make things me-
chanical and inflexible.
Business can avoid this by TAX
ing counsel Of itself It can apply
common sense conduct. or let in
itiative and enterprise go by the
hoard. So ! say, moderation, CO.
operation, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
all. common sense. These are the
words for business today.
This Is common sense indeed. and
warning that should receive consider
alton. n Mr.. Lane speaks authori-
tatively for the administration-and
there Is no reason to believe he does
not-American business men not only
Selves patriotic, but they have an op-
portunity as we'll to demonstrate good
business Judgment and foresight. by
adopting as their motto. Business as
usual" and then withstanding every
temptation to turn their fellow coun-
trymen's necessities into big wartime
profits for themselves.
1t must be remembered that his ad.
dress is to big business. TO the men
who TX the basic prices. The retailer
Is as much victim of these men.
when they act selfishly and unpatriot-
ically, as is the consumer. The prof
iteer' Is the man TO whom Mr. Lane
gives warning.
Business as usual" Is merely an
other way OF saying. Live and let
live"