Ripley County democrat., 1917-06-22
Stop Wastage Of Food, but Do
Not Curtail Necessities, Says
]. Ogden Armour.
URGES BUSINESS AsusuAL"
Continuous Of Great Prosperity That
Has Ruled Country for Two Years
10 Assured-BlIIions Loaned
Allies to Be Spent Hers.

according to ]. Ogden Armour in an
interview discussing the economic
condition and future Of the nation.
'gThe prompt adoption by the Ameri-
can people Of the 'business-as-usua
Idea Is going to enable this nation to
prosecute war without experiencing a
temporary depression such as England
and France have recently recovered
FROM" said Mr.. Armour. Modern war
requires the expenditure of huge sums
Of money and means maximum employ
ment and high wages for all workers.
Other conditions, peculiar to this war.
make 1t certain that this nation will
enjoy period Of business and indus
trial activity the like Of which has
never been seen and which Is assured
whether the war lasts several months
or several years.
No Reason for Alarm.
"But suppose people become over
cautious as the result of the preaching
Of war economy--then whatT he was
asked.
'There is some reason to believe"
he answered, s'that economy rules will
| be misapplled for while, but condi-
tions are such that the public will
soon see, II they have not already. that
there is no occasion whatever for them
to become alarmed,
..continuntion- Of the great prosper
ity that has ruled In this country for
two years Is assured. There is an
abnormal demand for everything the
workers Of this nation can grow or
manufacture. There is work at high
wages for every man and woman who
wants work: the earning power of the
people is restricted only by physical
limitations; the buying power Of the
public is greater than ever before.
There are certain guarantees Of con-
tinued prosperity and of an ever Wild
ening scope to our business and indus
trpl life"
ReIezses Billions Here.
"How about the billions of dollars
we are lending to our alliesf" he was
asked. "Wouldn't It be better to keep
that money at homer
"As o matter Of fact, II Is o mis-
nomer to call 1t loan to our allies"
Mr.. Armour said; eve are primarily
extending them credit. Instead Of
sending billions Of dollars out Of the
country, the transaction means that
billions of dollars viii actually be freed
for circulation In this country. Prac-
tically all Of the billions we lend our
allies will be spent In this country for
the products Of our soil and our fac
tories and for payment Of our workers.
I'VE are the storehouse and the fac
tory Of the world now, and the more
money the world can got hold Of the
more will be sent here, and the more
that comes here. the more work and the
more business will result, And In this
connection, remember the government
Of the United States is now a buyer for
war purposes and the dollars Of Uncle
Sam already have begun to pour forth
to stores, factories, and farms to pay
for the expense of mobilizing, drilling,
eQuipping, and feeding the army and
navy.
"Under the civilian boards gathered
together by the president to direct the
great work Of preparation. this nation
Is going ahead, fortified against delay
and mistakes through the intelligent
application Of the lessons learned In
England and In France. This applies
to industry as well as war.
Time Most Auspicloua
II consider the present the most aus
plcious from the standpoint Of national
prosperity In my memory. There Is
not ono good reason why the business
Of this country should not proceed in
its normal course and on ever increas-
Ing lines. There is not one reason why
people should fear for the future or
should permit themselves to be swayed
from the certainty that they are on q
sound financial basis. The per capita |
wealth Of Americans today IL greater
than ever before greater than that OF |
the people Of nny nation at any time In !
the past or In the present.
whether the war ends tomorrow or |
whether It lasts indefinitely this much
In certain: The United States, having |
possession OF approximately 40 per |
cent Of the worlds supply Of gold. the
greatest natural resources and geo
graphical isolation. Is certain to sur I
fer less than any other nation Ii the
war On In the whole world.
"The nation has been advised 10
economize on food, Economy means
the Intelligent use without waste; It |
does not cali for self-denial. Economy
was recommended to stop the waste Of |
the 100000. 900 worth Of food which
goes into the garbage pail each yenr.
The wave Of patriotism sweeping over
the country should not seize upon par
sinnonious economy as d means or ex-
precision. There Is no need for people
to cease purchasing; there Is need only
for the elimination OF Extravaganza
and waste. There is no reason what
ever for curtailInent of the use Of
things ordinarily needed by people;
A +. H