New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-20
Push Business,
Avoid Mysteries,
Coffin Crges
We Need to Keep Factory Fires
Burning Now. Says De
fence Leader


Washington. April 10. Howard +.
Coffin. Of the Advisory Commission OF
the Council of National Defence, re-
turned yesterday from western trip
with the conviction that America IS
threatened with a disastrous stampede
Of misguided patriotism.
After nearly three years Of refusal
n take the European war and its
lesson seriously, We have suddenly
launched forth in a most feverish ac-
tivitv to save the country over night,
he said to-day. patriotic organIza-
tions. almost without number, are mill
ing around noisily. and while inten-
tions are good the results are often iar
from practical.
Because Of an impending and pos
sble shortage Of foodstuffs we have
hysterical demands for economy IN
every line of human endeayor. Waste
il had hut an uriiscrimlnatIng econ
omy is worse
"Some states and municipalities are
stopping road building and other pup
lie works. General business is being
slowed down because of the emotlonsl
response of the trading public to these
misguided campaigns for economy;
savings are being withdrawn from the
banks; reports show that some people
Il
have begun to hoard food supplies ana
thousands of workers are being thrown
needlessly out of employment. All TINS
is wrong.
acknowledgement and closed factories
brought about through ftful and Ill
advised campaigns for public and pri-
vate economy, will prove yeritaole
foundation of quicksand for the seri-
Gus work we have at hand.
keynote OF Message
at is true that the President mas
said that this is time to correct our
/ babits of wastefulness," he said. Ter
/ tainly. but the keynote of his message
to the people was this paragraph:
i "It is evident 10 every thinking man
/ that our industries on the farm' IN
/ the shin yards. in the mines IN the
+ factories. must be made more pro-
life and more efficient.
"We need prosperity in war time even
more than when we are at peace nusl.
moss depressions are always Dad' pu-
doublv so when we have a hght on our
hands. The declaration OF war can ~, nav {
no real evil effect on business ha.
bad effects are apparent are Puley
neurological. and largely OF our own
foolish making. For our markets arc
the same in April that they were II. II.
/ March. We need more business. no'
4 less. There is real danger IN hysteIla'
Indiscriminate economy Will pe vi" ~
Gus. Now is the time 10 oPe" '"e
! throttle. ,. .,,,;ssion
"Fverv day the advisory commission
of Tho Council of National Defence re-
( caives offers of service from business
4 Grms and individuals, with requests ior
immediate information as TO no" lh's
/ sar,,ice may hest be rendered. NO" ana
,bor great dissatisfaction win the
,.cvernmental departments IS eNpresseu
Gecousa instant advantage - not TAKEN
- e,,cb offers. Many firms are hesltat-
mo 70 close ordinary business con
,rscts because of desire to hold ca
nacity omen to meet possible early gov
ernment need. ,. -..t,;.o.,oss N
"This spirit and this Willingness is 70
meet sacrifice. and even tinancial loss
in the government service IS ms
encouraging tribute to American pa'i,
IAN But we must remember that IN
tbe great struggle in which we nave
rcw become a part there IS mucn 70 70
consider besides munitions, troops ana
battleships.
Few Can BE Heroes
"Fow If rs can serve in any heroic
,cIe or even in the supply OF NUM-
lions 10 the military arms OF the ser
vice II seems TO me, therefore tnat a
riain statement Of general policy Is
most desirable. 80 NOR
"Ipon the industrial side OF TIE war
three great problems or perhaps
sbould better say tasks confront US
First and foremost. We must lac'Iii
tate the flow of raw materials anu
6pished nroducts 10 our allies, and must
xroyide the means Of rail and water
TRANSFORMATION therefor.
second. we must meet our o"h
.,roat military and naval building