The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
WEST BACKING
U. S. TO LIMIT
Optimistic as to Outcome oil
ar-UnHke New York,
Z. Saws Holland.

president OF the Ohio Society OF
New York. known as q man Of large
capital, interested in important
business undertakings and in our
commerce with San Domingo. re-
turned this morning from . visit to
Ohio and to other sections of the
Middle West He was also brought
into close touch with Industrial and
financial leaders who fairly well
represent sentiment throughout the
South and Southwest.
Mr.. Hawk was much impressed
with the enthusiasm and what seems
to be the clear understanding OF
the real meaning Of war and what
the United States must face IL we
are to win it which distinguish the
great majority of the people OF
Ohio. the Middle West Missouri
and many parts of the South.
He said that the undertone OF
pessimism which characterizes a
part of New York City is not to be
discovered in Ohio or in other
places of the West and South. New
York City and State have done
wonderfully well in furnishing
money to the government, in aiding
Red Cross subscriptions and in
contributing to the Young Mems
Christian Association war aid plans
and to other philanthropies asso-
ciated with the war. The banks OF
New York have not failed to reveal
courage or tc furnish all reasonable
assistance to those who have sought
the banks for the purpose of secur-
ing accommodations whereby they
could make subscriptions to the
Liberty Loan.
Furthermore, Mr.. Hawk said that
his recent experience as a bank di-
rector and his ASSOCIATION with the
leading bankers of New York have
made it clear to him that the banks
are now taking all reasonable care
Of their customers. not seeking
new business. but protecting their
customers who are merchants,
manufacturers or engaged In other
business.
Note of PessImIsni.
Nevertheless every day a note of
pessimism is heard, and the sugges-
tion of anxiety regarding the outcome
OF the war is noticeable, especially
among the merchants who carry on
business in small shops. Furthermore.
upon the East Side Of the city u
strong Socialistic element has been
developed, and that Is especially no.
ticeable among the women, many of
whom will vote at the next election.
Every time the market reports show
depreciation in the quotations for
foreign securities many persons who
are investors get frightened and go
about whispering to their friends that
the situation looks very dark. Their
apprehension is that Germany is go
ing to win. and then, they query. what
will become of the security Ameri-
cans have bought? Nothing of tEis
kind is noticeable in the West or in
the South. and from the Northwest,
especially the Minnea polls district, all
OF the reports tell of the prevalence of
loyalty and enthusiasm and the sense
Of duty which is upon everyone to
give full support to the government at
this time.
Some of the pessimism goes so far
that pains are taken to make the
resident aware of it. Mr.. Hawk
y spoke of 4 case which had come to his
NiiO" "LFuSt S4lltt his TGluTn IHe
West a business man who is an in
VCstor. and who should have had ex-
perience enough in making his fortune
10 realize that there are times when
courage and faith are necessary. be-
came so pessimistic that he determin-
ed to write to President Wilson set
ting forth his views upon the situa-
ton He did write a gloomy letter.
He told tho PrnsiInnf Haf hn
government came to the aid of the
railroads. guaranteeing sufficient in
come to protect those who are holders
of shares or bonds. then within a year
or two some of the insurance COM
Danies will be bankrupted and many
Of the savings banks will find them
selves in a deplorable condition.
Others Have Talked.
What this man ventured to write
President Wilson. others have been
saying one to another. The small
shop keepers are beginning to COM
plain that Frank A. Vanderlip and
others, in their advocacy of strict and
severe economy, have so influenced
customers that these shops are doing
little or no business.
New York is a cosmopolitan city and
many Of those who dwell or do busi-
, ness in the city look upon affairs ex-
-clusively from the point of view of
money. This is not true of the bank
eTs or of most of the successful busi-
ness men but it does seem to be true
of certain class in New York City.
In this respect New York differs from
any other large community in the
United States. If. at first, those who
dwell in the West were not so quick
to appreciate all that our entrance
into the war meant as were many of
those who live in the East, now the
West and the South surpass some
parts of the East in their understand
ing of what the war means.
Mr.. Hawk found the keenest ap-
probation Of the meaning Of the war
in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati. and st.
Louis. He did not visit Chicago but
heard reports OF sentiment there Of