The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-07-20
WILSON MAKES PLEA
PRESIDENT ASKS MANUFAc-
TuRERs AND MINE OWNERS
TO BACK U. s. IN WAR.
TOLD TO FORGET PRICES
President Declares Victory or Defeat
Depends on Prlees-Denounees
Dollar Patrlots-EVeryohs
Must Make Sacrifices.

shlngton.-President Wilson ap-
pealed TO the country's business in
terests Wednesday TO put aside every
selfish consideration and 10 give their
aid to the nation as freely us those
who go to offer their lives on the bat
tlefeld.
In statement addressed to the coal
operators and manufacturers he gave
assurance that just prices will be paid
by the government and the public dur
Ing the war, but warned that no at
tempt TO extort unusual profits will be
tolerated.
The presidents statement follows
"The government is about TO attempt
| TO determine the prices at which IT
will ask you hencefOrth to furnish va
rious supplies which are necessary for
the prosecution of the war, and vari-
Gus materials which will be needed In
the industries by which the war must
be sustained. We shall, of course, try
to determine them justly and to the
best advantage Of the nation as
whole; but justice is easier to speak
Of than TO arrive at, and there are
some considerations which / hope we
shall keep steadily in mind while this
particular problem Of justice is being
worked out.
Promises Just Price.
therefore l take the liberty of
stating very candidly my own 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
flcult matter.
"A just price must, OF course, be
paid for everything the government
buys. BY just price l mean price
which will sustain the industries con-
cerned In n high state of efficiency,
provide living for those who con-
duct them, enable them to pay good
wages, and make possible the ex-
pansions of their enterprises which
will from time to time become neces-
sary as the stupendous undertakings
of this great war develop.
Must Face the Facts.
I'VE 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 |
dustry are necessary for the great task |
we have in hand.
But / trust that we shall not sur |
round the matter with a mist of SEN
timent. Facts are our masters now.
We ought not to put the acceptance
of such prices on the ground of patri-
Otism."
patriotism has nothing TO do with
profits in case like this. Patriotism
and profits ought never in the present
be mentioned together.
ut is perfectly proper to discuss
profits as a matter of business. with
view to maintaining the integrity of
capital and the efficiency of labor in
these tragical months, when the lib
erty of free men everywhere and of
industry itself trembles in the bal
lnce; but IL would be absurd to dis
cuSs them as a motive for helping to
serve and save our country.
Patriotism leaves profits out of the
question. In these days of our SUI
Dreme trial, when we are sending hun
lreds of thousands of our young men
lcross the seas to serve a great cause,
10 true man who stays behind to
work for them and sustain them by
lis labor will ask himself what he is
personally going to make out of that
abor.
mo true patriot will permit himself
o take toll of their heroism in money
IF seek to grow rich by the shedding
# their blood. He will give as freely
md with as unstinted self-sacrifice
g they. When they are giving their
ives, will he not at least give his
1oney7
AssaiIs bribery"
II hear it insisted that more than
just price, more than a price that
yill sustain our industries, must be
aid; that it is necessary to pay very I
beral and unusual profits in order to
stimulate production; that nothing {
ut pecuniary rewards will do-re- I
ards paid in money, not in the mere {
beratiOn of the world.
II take 1t for granted that those s
tho argue thus do not stop to think {
hat that means. !
do they mean that you must be I
aid, must be bribed, to make your t
a contribution that costs c
on neither a drop Of blood nor a tear,
hen the whole world is in travail and &
len everywhere depend upon and call 4
, you to bring them out of bondage v
nd make the world fit place to live t
/ again, amidst peace and justice? /
"Do they mean that you will exact