The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-02

in hysteria. Indiscrimintae economy
will be ruinous. Now ie the time tn
open the throttle.
Every day the advisory commits
sion OF the Council OF National De-
tense receives offers OF service from
business firms and individuals, with
requests for Immediate informa tion az
to how this service may best I've rem
dered. Now and then great dlssatis
fcation with the government depart
ments is expressed because instant ad-
vantage is not taken OF such offers.
Many firms are hesitating TO close or
dinary business contracts because OF
q desire to hold capacity open d, meet
possible early government need.
This spirit and this willingness to
meet sacrifice end even financial loss,
IN the government service, Is most
encouraging tribute 70 American pa
trSotisfm. But we must remember that
In the great struggle in which we
have now become part there il much
to consider besides munitions. .roops
and bAttleships. Few Of US can serve
N any heroic role or even In tho sup
ply Of munitions to the ,nilitary arms
OF the service.
I'm this country Of vast resources
We already have = tremendous isquip-
ment for munitions making, built np
on foreign orders, and now immedi-
ateiy available through expiration Of
these orders. Except III limited cases,
there il little need Tor the develop-
ment c9 new sources OF supply. The
dictates OF common business sense re-
Quire the utilization, as far az posi-
bic, OF existing machinery.
sKeep the Fires B3ruing.v
1T seems to me, the&efore, that =
plain statement OF genelhl poliels
MOST desirable Upon 6hae ustrial
side OF the war three grU Problems,
or perhaps should. better say tasks.
confront us.
First and foremost. We must facili-
tate the flow OF raw materials and fin
ished products to our allies, and must
provide the means Of rail and water
transportation therefor.
Second, we must meet our own
great military and naval building
schedules.
Third. we must plan to do oil this
with the least possible disarrange-
ment OF our own vast commercial and
industrial machines.
Through 1t all we must keep a
close eye upon the possible conditions
OF peace following the present war.
We must insure the business success
and general prosperity Of the country
during the war IL we are to hold our
present strong place among nations In
the commercial competition Of the
future.
There Is no doubt of the willing
ness Of any manufacturing plant or
individual to serve should the call
come. But until the call Goes come,
It Is best to stick to the job. Let ua
make Better Business our watch
word and keep our factory ires burn
ing. No radically new conditions con-
front us. We are still cut or from
business relations with the Central
Powers. but that does not mean that
we have lost any markets. With the
rest OF the world we Will continue TO
do a volume or business greater than
ever before. To the billions which
have been spent here by foreign Tow-
ers are now to be added to the billioue|
OF our own. State activities. road
building, public works, private in,ius-
tries. all must go on as before. Eusi-
ness must be increased, labor employ
ed. and the country kept going
strongly ahead as successful ectjno-
mic machine. We must have success-
full industries il successful tax levies
are to be received" u