Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-17

who indispensable In IeCluANS
volunteered as privates and were sent to the
front, where their exceptional qualifications
were wasted 1t was finally necessary to begin
at the beginning and reorganize the military
industries OF the country in order successfully
to carry the war"
We must avoid that costly blunder, IL we wish
TO begin where the English are instead OF
where they were nearly three years ago. But we
shall not avoid it escape its penalties IL we
trust to indiscriminate volunteering.
1t would be as foolish to depend on volunteer
system in graphing the gigantic tasks of this war
as it would be to send squadron of wooden, wind
propelled battIeships to beard the Kaisers fleet in
Wilhelmshaven. If the only task were that of mus
tering an army, a volunteer system might suffice
though it is we'll to note that If recruiting should
stand at the rate established in the first ten days
following the declaration of war; 1t would take
more than six years to raise a force OF a million
men, which is the minimum number required. But
mastering an army is only one of the tasks tower
ing before u.s. This is economic struggle no less
than military struggle, and we are called upon to
pour into it all the industrial power we'll as all
the man power Of which capable. England
and France call to us for food. Shall we answer
them by putting into the trenches thousands of
men who are needed in the burrows? They call to
us for munitions and sundry other supplies. Shall
we answer them by diverting to army training
camps thousands of men whose experience best fits
them for industrial service? That is just what would
happen under a system of indiscriminate volun-
teering After long months of delay and confusion
an army would be raised, but 1t would be at the
expense of those productive industries on which
our own and our allies military endurance and eff
cheney depend. The volunteer system pleases the
pacifsts; it suits the slackers and the Kaiser is
praying that we may adopt it. But in the Judgment
of President Wilson and army officers and OF
every expert observer of the the volunteer sys
tenn would lead to grave misfortune if not doyn-
right disaster
The seIective CONSUMPTION measure before
Congress obviates these errors and dangers. 1t
looks to the maintenance of industry and agricul-
ture as we'll as to the recruiting of an army. 1t
protects the sources and instrsmentaities of pro-
duction at the time that'it provides an ade-
quate fighting force. 1t comprehends the true ma
ture of this world war and the needs that we must
meet If we to play effective part. 1t recog-
nizes the fact made clear through England's cost
ly experience, that the nation must mobilize and
coordinate all its resources economic as we'll as
military, and make them all contribute to one
tremendous end.
On what ground of reason and justice can any
member of Congress or any patriotic American OPP
pose seIective CONSUMPTION? 1t is fair as it Is
efective-fair to the nation and to the individual
IL asks more than any man who loves MS
country is willing and eager to give. 1t applies
alike to all who within the prescribed
ages and of military fitness, regardless of wealth
or position or any artificial distinction. 1t puts
end to the injustice and shame of letting the flower
of the country's youth bear all the hardships and
take all the hazards of time while tens of thou
sands of sIackers stay selhshly at home.
As the only effective plan and the only fair
plan for raising an army, selective CONSUMPTION
ought to be adopted without further delay. Every
hour that Congress loses in hesitation over
measure, the wisdom and necessity of which are so
obvious, is an hour gained for Prussan despotism.
Ten days have passed since we entered the war
against Germany, yet still involved in long
drawn discussions over primary needs. The
President has submitted carefully prepared plan
of selective CONSUMPTION, but Congress has not
acted. 1t must act promptly and favorably, If the
country's interests to be protected and its high
duties fulfilled. Let us have slackers at Wash
ington at this crucial moment of the nations life.
Let us have only patriots who, seeing the need of
the hour, fully up to their obligation. Let
us have a selective CONSUMPTION act that will make
defense and victory sure