The Washington herald., 1917-03-08
Interesting Chats
From Hotel Lobbies

1T seems that American industry is
undergoing considerable readjustmenL al
though the process seems to be a bit
painful" said W. T. Pendleton. a St.
Louis capitalist, stopping at the Willard.
Our railroads are making more money.
and having more trouble and coming
in for more censure, than at any other
time in their history" said Mr.. PendIe
ton.
ANY good cleaning out always hurts.
though not always the same people. You
could hardly expect an Industrial system,
founded in times OF peace, and answering
most Of the problems OF peaceful times,
to be suddenly without the least warn
ing. be put on a war basis, and that is
what q large part OF American manu-
factories have been subjected 10 in the
past two and a half years, and then be
able to stand the strain without dis
ruption somewhere.
"Of course we did not forsee the war
and consequently We were not prepared
to stand up under the immense strain
as though nothing has happened. Just
the same the railroads, mills, farming
communities and other lines Of business
will beneht by having their weak spots
exposed and be compelled by eXtraordi-
nary conditions TO do away with obsolete
methods and machinery.
Weak spots always show up when
unusual strain Is put on them. Our bus1-
ness is so great these days that we fnd
ourselves unable to dope out the rail-
road situation satisfactorily on short
rotice such as the public demands. These
conditions, and all Others will have to
be worked out gradually and when the
excitement dies down, you can expect
to find the best equipped country in the
world barring labor troubles. TO carry on
the increased business that Europe in the
rebuilding process will stimulate. More
farming will be done than ever before.
Likewise everything else but liquor. VIII
boom"
II do not believe that the City Of
Washington is going to remain governed
directly by Congress very much longer
said Z. Fred Elkus. a San Francisco
politician. stopping at the Raleigh. Con-
ditions are too changeable to permit Il,
remarked Mr.. EIkus, and progress de-
mands that obsolete methods OF govern
ment 20 by the board
The world is witnessing a great many
changes. that none of US thought would
come about for at least twenty-five
years. We are going through a period
of great stress. Since the unexpected al
ways happens suffrage for the District
may be nearer than you think. Or
course you will have to fight for it, and
I think il will come along with several
other changes I'm our national affairs
The recent fiasco In the Senate has
drawn the attention of the public to q
legislative branch of the government,
which many people thought was entirely
above such things. and from now on the
Senate will be the cynosure Of all eyes.
Voters will watch IL closely. II will be
criticised and praised more than ever
before. II goes TO show, that probably
other time-honored institutions OF our
government need a thorough overhsuling.
and their undesirable side EXPOSED so
that We may see and remedy their
faults.
This is not the first time that a near
reasonable event has occurred in the
legislative body Of the nation, but II g
the first time that the whole world saw
the performance and goodness knows