The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-10-23

The Chamber OF Commerce OF the
| 7ited states. IN convention at Atlantic
CITY. and tho National Nnn-Parttsan
League. in convention ct s.. Paul taken
together represent all important current
opinions upon the relation ~ our work.
ing power. Ru;. unfortunately these
opinions cannot conveniently be taken
together into a single mind.
Imagine the Kind Of reception that
would have been accorded al st. Paul to
MIR. T.. ?. Albrcchts proposition. SO
warmly welcomed at Atlantic City. TINT
tho Government should enforce maxi
mum wage scale upnn workingmen! Or
imagine the tumult OF something other
than applause that would have greeted
Mr.. Towrley's apostropho 10 the patriot
ism Of big business II IL had been uttered
at Atlantic City.
In the dissonance OF those voices east
and west We have full and fair mnni-
ton of that "discontent with domestic
conditions" which Secretary Lane says is
the principal danger that stands in the
way Of our winning tho war. And yet It
is to he noted that there Is kind OF
rude harmony pulsating like fugue un-
dsrneath this dtssouance.
After AR. Albrecht has told us that
people who are not busines men ought
to has their Incomes limited by law.
Mr. Catchings-speaking as chairman OF
the COMMITTEES OF the national business
mems organization t.at has to do with
the National Defense Coupcil-declareS
that chaos exists in business to-day
and that we cannot bring order out OF
this chaos or win the war unless We
make haste to create a new organ OF gov
ornamental control on the drastic model
Of the British Ministry OF Munitions.
And after the ST. Paul convention has
expressed its soorn for the patriotism
Of big business. 1t cheers until the root
shakes on mention OF the idea that tho
bulk OF the corporate structure Of the
country should be forced into govern
ment ownership by stress Of price fling
and high taxation.
Those who are a. home with the pro-
letarlan philosophy. who arc able to be-
lleve that majorlties are inspired OF the
Hoyl Ghost and that the solution OF all
problems OF peace or war consists In
getting more people 70 vote more times
on more subjects and then canonizinS
their conclusions upon the lips OF Pile
biscltary despots-nay well rejoice to
observe that the historic pull and haul
between capital and labor" is becom-
ing centripetal. and promises to land us
very shortly in state in which nobody
will ever think Of doing anything until
he has discussed 1t with tho community
or been authortatiyely told to do It by
those IN political command. On the
other hand. there Is a word 10 he said
for those who believe In the essential
validity Of business principles and who
think that tho dangerous domestic dis
content. OF which Secretary Lime speaks.
should be solved not by making the s,stc
absolute. but by making tho business
system social and scientific.
Nj Frank Vnnderlir said the other day
that we a:'e not drifting but sailing" to-
ward government ownership Of railroads.
We are indeed drifting. with big motors
but bad steering apparatus. toward
government ownership OF nearly every
thins-cveu Of our souls and our secret
thoughts. II is impossible to sail In any
particular direction without confessinH