The Washington herald., 1917-11-18

100000 more individuals purchasing
through the post office.
Although this great army of small
investors in government loans has
been created during the last year.
deposits in the ordinary savings banks
increased almost $50, ,OoO, 900 in 1916. Such
an increase, in the face OF heavy In
vestment in government loans. shows
the wonderful results of which this
system of thrift has led in Great
Britain.
Can there be any question that
America should take advantage OF
England's pioneer work and expert
ence in this field? In no other way
can the people realize that individ-
ual economy, thrift and saving Of PEN
MES collected in units of dollars and
invested in loans to the government,
will shorten and help win the war.
Can there be any hesitation on the
part OF the American people in re-
spending promptly to the plans along
this line that have been formulated
by the Treasury and Post Ofice De-
partments at Washington?
In Canada war savings certificates
are issued in denominations of $2j, $50,
and 800, repayable in three years at
face value. They cost $3.50, S43 and
SS6 respectively, thus yielding over 5
per cent interest, and may be pur-
chased at all money-order postoffices
and banks. With a population Of only
100000 people, sale OF war certificates
in Canada haE averaged Sl.500,O00 a
month for the last six months. More
than 10000 certificates have been sold,
from which a total OF 10000 has
been made available for war purposes
through these small investments.
If. then, 1 We're asked to sum up
some of the advantages in our adopt
ing some such plan as has been found
necessary by our allies, / should men
ton these points.
First, by concerted saving. those
things which we individuals have to
buy will cost US less than they other
wise would, II competition with the
government, which has first call on
all products it needs
Second, an enormous reservoir of
collected savings will be put at the
disposal OF the government, which
must have the money and should get
1t from each one of us in proportion
to his means:
Third, the point upon which laid
great stress in the early part of this
paper. as a people We shall have
cultivated a habit of efficient proyi-
dence, OF care rather than of care
lessness-qualities that will go far
TO affect materially-and for the bet
ter-all our national activities.
Fourth, at the end Of the war
those who have saved and invested
each according to his efforts, will
have laid by A share in the best se-
curity the world offers. United
States government bond which is an
asset bound to serve the holder for
many years to come.
Finally, a most important consId-
Grafton in the participation by all
the people in this habit of saving,
and Of investing their savings in
government securities, lies in the fact
that the whole people are thus edu-
Gated to the purchase and owner
ship of securities, thereby giving hope
that our government and our great
industries in the future may be even
more demoCratiZed than today; that
the number OF investors in the Sc
curities of our government and Of
our railroads. our public utilities and
OF our industries generally will be
so increased that no man. woman or
child in the country will be without
direct and vital interest in our gov
ernmental and business institutions.
The Nations Business.