Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-07-18
FORGET PROFITS;
WIN THE WAR
President Wilson Appeals to Bus
mess interests of Country.
JUST PRICES IS HIS DEMAND
Business Should Not Take Toll on
Men in Trenches, Says the Ch'ef
Executive-ship Owners
Are Condemned.

Are Condemned.
Washington Wilson ap-
,oeaIed to the country's business In
terests Wednesday 10 put aside every
selfish consideration and to give their
aid TO the nation as freely as those
who go to offer their lives on the bat
tlefleld.
In a statement addressed 10 the coal
operators and manufacturers he gave
assurance that just prices will be pald
nv The government and the public dur
Ing the war. but warned that no at
tempt 10 extort unusual profits will be
tolerated.
Your patriotism" said the presi-
dents appeal as Of the same self
DENYING stuff as the patriotism Of the
men dead and manned on the fields Of
France. or it is no patriotism az all,
Let US never speak, then, of proilts
and patriotism in the same sentence.
II shall expect every man who is not
a Stacker to be at my side throughout
this great enterprise In il no man
can win honor who thinks of himself.
Condemns ship Owners.
The president declared there must
be but one price for the government
and for the public He expressed con
fidence that business generally would
be found loyal to the last degree, and
that the problem Of wartime prices,
which he declared will mean victory
or defeat" will he solved rightly
through patriotic cooperation.
In unmeasured terms. however, Mr..
wilson condemned the ship owners Of
the country for maintaining u schedule
Of ocean freight rates which has
placed almost insuperable obstacles
in the path Of the government
Presidents Call.
The Presidents statement follows
'sThe government Is about 10 attempt
~ determine the prices at which 1t
viii ask Won henceforth to furnish va
rlcus supplies which are necessary for
the prosecution Of the war. and vari-
ouS materials which will be needed In
the industries by which the war must
he sustained We shall. Of course. try
10 determine them justly and 70 the
hest advantage Of the nation as
whole: bur Justice is easier 70 speak
of than to arrive ar. and there are
some considerations which 7 hope we
shan keep steadily In mind while this
particular problem Of Justice is being
worked ont
Promises Just Price.
Therefore take The liberty Of
stating very caudldly my owu view Of
the situation and Of the principles
which should guide both the govern
ment and the mine owners and man
ufacturers Of the country in this diff
Gcult matter.
"A lust price must, Of course. be
paid ter everything the government
hugs BY just price / mean price
which viii sustain the Industries con
cerned In high state of efficiency.
provide living for those who con
duet them. ENABLE them to pay good
wages, and make possible the ex-
pansions Of their enterprises which
Will from time 10 time become neCes-
snry as the stupeudous undertakings
Of this great war develop.
Must Face tire Facts.
we could not wisely or reasonably
do less than pay such prices They
are necessary for the maintenance
and development Of industry. and the
maintenance and development Of in
dusiry are necessary for the great task
We have in band
But / trust THAT we SHAFT NOT sur
round the matter with q mist Of sen
timeut Facts are our masters now
We ough, not ~ put the acceptance
Of such prices on the ground Of patri-
otiSu
Patriotism has nothing to do with
profits in ease like yhi~ Patriotism
and profits ought never Ia the present
circumstances be mentioned together.
1T is perfectly proper TO discuss
profits as "a matter of business. with "a
view To maintaining the integrity OF
capital and the efficiency Of labor IN
these tragical months. when the lib
erty Of free men everywhere ana Of
industry Itself trerntIes in the bal
ance, hut it would be absurd 70 dis
cuss them as motive for helping TO
serve and save our country.
Patriotism leaves profits out Of tDe
question. In these days Of or SUI
preue trial when we are sending hun
dreds Of thousands Of our young men
Hcros> the seas g. serve great cauSe.
no true man who stays behind 10
work for them and sustain them by
- his labor will ask himself what he Is
personally going 10 make out Of that
labor
30 true patriot will PERM; himself
20 take toll of their heroI>m in money
cor seek To grow rich by the shedding
Of their blood. He will give as freely
and with Is uns;inted self .acrtice
as they When they are giving their
Ives. will he not - least give his
money?
Assaiis Bribery"
y hear il Insisted that more than
Just price. more than a price that
Will sustain our industries. must be
iaid that IT Is necessary to pay very
liberal and unusual profits In order Il
stimulate production; that nothing
hut pecuniary rewards will do-re.
Unnecessary Caution.
Mrs. Yearwedd-John, when we