The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-22

established beyond a doubt upon a
sound foundation.
Offers Of Assistance.
WASHINGTON, Farch 22.-That
neutral nations may renew their
previous offers to assist in straight
ening out difficulties" between the
United States and Germany was sus-
gested at the state department today.
Several neutral diplomats called on
Secretary Lansing during the fore
noon, but none claimed to be taking
part in such a move.
When Germany and the United
States broke relations, a number OF
neutrals then offered their services to
do anything we can to prevent
trouble" This country. however,
will negotiate neither with Germany
directly nor with her through neu-
trails, until the imperial government
has withdrawn its U boat decree and
renewed its pledges to the United
States.
II war comes, as now seems in
evitable, withdrawal then Of the sub
marine decree viii be too late, it was
officially limited.
No High Prices Allowed.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Gov-
eminent supervision of the country's
vast resources OF raw materials used
In the production of munitions and
other war supplies, Is contemplated
by the national council OF defense II
the United States goes to war with
Germany. Tentative plans for put
ting such supervision into operation
fnlx oil dr Vyo
been completed.
The council Is hopeful that the big
producers of raw material will agree
to such a plan voluntarily. But in
case they do rot, the council Is pre-
pared to go before the coming extra
session Of congress and ask for such
power.
Already the copper producers have
offered to sell the government cop
per at a figure almost half the pres
ent price in the event of war.
Similar cooperation is expected
from the steel men and other big
producers who will be called upon to
furnish the army and navy with sup
plies in case OF an outbreak OF host1li-
ties. Abnormal Financial profit on the
manufacture Of munitions and neces-
Sarv supplies Will De lmPoSoiUie W
war measures, already planned, to be
put into effect by the council:
The council will determine what Is
a reasonable profit, fixing rate be-
tween IL and Is per cent.
Howard E. Coffin, member OF the
advisory committee of the council OF
national defense, in speaking of the
absolute necessity OF government
supervision Of industries in time Of
war. said to the United Press today:
I'VE must and will provide for TAX
ing all abnormal financial profit out
of war, but we dare not take away all
profit as such a course would wreck
the nation as business concern.
I'm England and France. for In
stance, It is the plan to make all war
transactions reasonably profitable be-
cause II is realized that it is only
through such procedure that the
whole economic machine may be kept
running smoothly.
Labor must have its fair return
for it's work. The producer of raw
material must have a reasonable re-
turn upon his investment and the
manufac turer of the finished product
must have fair profit.
eff labor were working for half
what it ought and the manufactures
selling at a 25 per cent loss there
would soon be catastrophe and bank
ruptcy would become the order for
the day"
Coffin laid stress upon the import
ance of the Industrial machine In time