Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-06-29
TRUE ECONOMY IN
BUSINESS ACTIVITY

BUSINESS AZ Iivtl
"Wise spending, the elimination Of
waste, the keeping of business as
nearly normal as possible-that is
the truest economy, the constructive
thrift which we ought to be preach
ing today. Our greatest internal
danger is to be found in this hys-
terical don't buy it now wave which
has been sweeping over the United
States for the last few weeks and for
which there is no reason"
This is the economic gospel which
is being preached nightly by G.
Pryor Irwin, instructor in retail
craftsmanship with the University
|of wisconsin Extension Division to
his classes in retail selling in vari-
Gus cities in the Milwaukee, dis
trict, classes similar to those which
he has held in other parts of the
state. 1t is a gospel which is re-
ceiving the heartiest commentator
of civic and business mems associa-
tons under whom, in several in
stances, the business classes are be-
ing held. Since he started his Lets
keep business going as usual cam
paign, Mr.. Irwin has received many
requests to continue emphasizing the
need of normal business conditions.
"This hysteria is the surest way
to bring a panic,' insists Mr.. IT.
win. "The surest way to throw
thousands out of employment and
make hard times real rather than
imaginary is to permit false econ
Omy to put a stop to buying on the
part of the masses, thus stopping
the wheels Of progress. Why not
buy now? We have plenty of mon
ey and every one is employed at
good wages. True, prices on num-
erous articles in general use are high
and it costs more to live now than
it did a few months ago, but SO long
as people are employed and have
money to spend, there is no need
Of hard times. There is need for
wise spending, for buying merchan-
disc that gives service, for eliminat-
ing leaks and losses. But let us
not get hysterical and fail to buy
the necessary goods and clothing.
"Our country faces danger COM
mercially from foolish, narrow-sight-
ed economy as much as it does from
wild extravaganza. There is as
much patriotism in keeping the
wheels of commerce and Industry
moving nationally as there is in
planting a garden and we all believe
that every one who possibly can
should plant a garden. Herbert e.
Coffin of the Council of National
Defense recently said that the
United States must meets its in
ternatiOnal obligations with the
least possible disarrangement of our
vast commercial and industrial ma
chine
LET us not forget the effect of
the war scare on the country at the
outbreak of the war. AS the result
of a purely psychological condition,
as it was characterized by President
Wilson, factories and offices cut
down their working forces and many
people were needlessly thrown out
of employment. We should take
warning, follow the example of Can
ada, and carry on our business aa
usual. The large sums of money
provided by the government for war
purposes will, for the most part, be
expended in this country. Let's not
be afraid to go calmly on creating
employment for every one. Let's not
practice a false economy, the kind
that stops factory wheels and
throws wage earners in stores and
factories out of work.