The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-05-24
UNNECESSARY ALARM

expressions OF alarm over prOSpecU
for the profitable distribution of Hoot
Rivers chief products, strawberrie
and apples. Such fears, as we see th'
situation, are without foundation. Tn,
fruit growers of the Hood..River vale.
should get over the idea that they are
engaged in the production of luxuries
Economists and food experts toda.
consider fruits as necessities in wei
balanced rations. Apples and straw
berries may be lacking in calories, il
carbohydrates and proteids, but the!
contain certain salts, acids and othe
elements that enable the human sys
TEN to make the most of the consump
tion of staple articles of diet. The!
are needed in the nations rations, ant
Northwestern fruit growers need hav,
no fear that they will be sacrificed.
1t is true that we may not, in al
probability will not, be able to expor
any of our apples the coming fall
Still, the exports of last falls croI
were comparatively short, and section:
of our domestic trade have been edu
Gated during the past several month:
to the value of the Yellow Newtown,
formerly an exclusive export product
as staple article of fruit diet.
In a general way, none of US at the
present moment can surmise the ulti-
mate solution of business problems
now confronting America. Embarked
on the greatest war of history,a status
of readjustment is prevailing. Sound
judgment and conservatism should be
the ruling guides of our actions. What
will best serve the nation, the whole
nation? This should be the goal of the
solution of all problems, and once de.
cisions are reached, we should hew to
the line, even though no few personal
sacrifices may be necessary.
The United States has entered the
conflict gagainst Prussanism with no
selfish motives. The citizens of the
great Democracy should make the ma.
tion's ideals their own, to guide them
in their business during the course of
the war. For this reason, the manipu-
lator of food products, whose specu-
lations are waged to fatten his own
purse, should be handled most sum-
marily.
The government has made it rule
that in the purchase of munitions of
war manufacturers will receive only a
reasonable profit. We see no reason
why the same rules should not be ap-
piled all along the line, from the
farmer or producer upward. Through
the advancement of such viwepoint,
however, we do not mean to propose
that prices of commodities should be
sent to the level that ruled one, two or
three year ago. One of the greatest
reasons for advance in food prices, the
price in the staple commodities of the
household. has been the cheapness of
gold, the basis of money values the
country over, in America. In a large
measure the great world war is being
financed in America. American indi-
viduals and financial institutions have
purchased heavily of war bonds of Eu-
ropean countries, but the purchase
money has been left here and has gone
into the purchase of food supplies and
munitions. The element of supply and
demand has played an important figure
in the advancing food stuffs. America
is feeding not only herself, but large
share of the rest of the worlds popula-
tion. She is going to be called on to
make further inroads on her own gran
cries and larders. However, gamblers
and spectators should not be permit
ted by the government to take advan-
tage of this stu alton to further swell
prices and reap a harvest for them
selves
The leaders of thought in America,
England and France are convinced that
the result of the great war will be
beneficial to the human race, the down.
fall of autocracy is assured, the great
est measure of human liberty ever en-
joyed since creation will be made pos
sible. The American nation has be-
come the abiter of the destiny of man.
kind. The people of America must
act nationally. Petty politics, such as
is checking the action of Congress, and
sectionalism must give way. There
must be a unifcation of our impulses.
In our actions we must not now think
so much of self as of country.
From day to day every one should
pursue as much as possible the normal
course of business, attendin ing to wonted
duties and meeting all obligations.
Strictest economy only should be urged
in relation to those articles that are
needed in outftting our men under
arms and IN making up deficiencies for
our allies.
We will close by again saying that
the fear of depressed business is un-
grounded. The fear is rather that we
shall suffer from an initiation of busi-
ness. Prosperity seems assured for all
the producing elements of business, as
we'll as all lines of commerce.