The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-12
Expects Every Business Man
Not a Stacker to Be
at His Side.
WARNS OF EXTORTION
Says Problem of Wartime
Costs Will Mean Vic
tory or Defeat.
SHIP OWNERS DENOUNCED
High Ocean Rates Called Gal
most Insuperable" Obstacle
in Path Of U. s.
SHIP OWNERS DENOUNCED

Wilson appealed tonight to the coun-
try's business interests to put aside
every selfish consideration and to give
their aid to the nation as freely as
those who go out to offer their lives
on the battlefield. In a statement ad-
dressed to the coal operators and man.
ufacturers he gave assurances that
just prices will be paid by the Govern
msnt and the public during the war,
but warned that no attempt to extort
unusual profits will be tolerated.
Your patriotism" says the Presi-
dents appeal. "is Of the same self
denying stun as the patriotism OF the
men dead and MANNED on the fields of
France. or 1t is no patriotism at ALL
Let US never speak then OF profits and
patriotism in the same sentence.
One Price for All.
II shall expect every man who is not
q Stacker to be at my side throughout
this great enterprise. In it no man can
win honor who thinks OF himself"
The President said there must be but
ore price for the Government and for
the public. He expressed confidence that
business generally will be found loyal
to the last degree. and that the
problem of wartime ,prices which he said
will mean victory or defeat" will be
solved rightly through patriotic coopera-
tion as--af#.i.sls. r g - -
In unmeasured terms, however. Mr..
wilson condemned the ship owners of
the country for maintaining schedule
of ocean freight rates which has placed
almost insuperable obstacles IN the
path OF the Government.
sThs fact Is" he asserted, athat those
who have axed war freight rates have
taken tho most effective means In theiI
power 90 defeat the armies engaged
against Germany"
Coal production and other industries
for whose products the Government has
negotiated price agreements are no;
taken up In detail by the President, his
principles involved in the determination
Of war prices.
Text OF Appeal.
1t follows in fuu.
MI FELLow CoUNTRYMEH: The Gov
eminent il about TO attempt to deter
mine the prices at which 1t will ask yol
hcnceforth to furnish various supplies
which are necessary for the prosecution
Of the war and various materials which
will be needed in the industries b!
which the war must be sustained. w
shall Of course try to determine then
Justly and to the best advantage OF thu
nation as a whole but justice is easie
TO speak Of than to arrive at, and tner
are some considerations which / hop
we shall keep steadily in mind whil
this particular problem of justice Is be
ing worked out. I therefore take tn
liberty OF stating very candidly my owl
view Of the situation and of the prin
eiples which should guide both the Gov
eminent and the mine owners an
manufacturers of the country in this diff
hcult matter.
"A Just price must. OF course. be pal
FOR everything the Government buys. b!
Just price l mean a price which vii
sustain the industries concerned in
high state Of efficiency, provide livin
for those who conduct them. enabl
hem to pay good wages and make pos
able the expansions of their enterprise
Which will from time to time becom
necessary as the stupendous undertak
ings OF this great war develop. We coul
lot wisely or reasonably do less tina
pay such prices They are necessar
ior the maintenance and development @
industry: and the maintenance and de
pelopment OF industry are necessary 70
The great task we have in hand.
Facts Our Masters Now.
But I trust that we shall not sur
round the matter with a mist of sent
ment, Facts are our masters now. w
ought not to put the acceptance Of sue
nm fhA C( frkr NicEr
Patriotism has nothing to do with profit
= Ih case like this Patriotism an
pfonts ought never In the present cir
cumslances be mentioned together.
u perfectly proper to discuss PROFITS a
matter Of business with a view I
mllnttiring the integrity OF capital an
Ihe efficiency Of labor in these tragics
months when the liberty OF free me
everywhere and OF industry itse
trembles in the balance, but 1t woul
pe absurd to discuss them as a motiy
try.
Patriotism leaves profits out OF II
question. In thes days of our suprem
,laL when we are sending hundreds
'''uSands OF our young men across III
se'" TO serve a great cause, no true ma
VINO stays behind 10 work for them an
suha'n them Dy his labor will ask hin
seI what he is personally going TO mai
out OF that labor. No true patriot wi
permit himself to take toll OF the
nerosm In money or seek to grow ri,
Wy the shedding Of their blood. He wi
Nie as freely and with as unstInt'
esu'sacrifce rs they. when they a
irving their lives will he not give
least his money!
hear 1t insisted that more than ju
pr,ee more than a price that will su
IAN our Industries. must be paid tn
IN necessary 10 pay very liberal al
unusual profits In order to 'stimula
production'; that nothing but pecunia
rewards will do--rewards paid in none
noi In the mere liberation OF the wor
take It for granted that those W