The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-12
Patriotism and Profits Should
Not Be Discussed Together.
He Declares
BUSINESS EFFICIENCY
MUST BE UPHELD
Mine Operators and Manufac-
turers Shown Their Duty and
Opportunity Ship-Owners
Conduct Invites Defeat

Washington, July 1l.-Prcsi-
dent Wilson tonight summoned
American business to the colors.
In an address to the minA
operators and manufacturers Of
the United States" he stated
plainly what the governments
program of determining just
prices Is. And he looks to every
business man---big and little
to meet the situation in a big
way.
Prices nc says. means VIC
tory or defeat" The address
follows:
Text of Address.
My fello~-Countrym
The government IN about to at
tempt 20 determine the prices at which
il will ask you henceforth to fur
nish various supplies which are neces-
sary for the prosecution of the war
and various materials which Will be
needed in the industries by which the
war must be sustained
We shall, of course, try to deter.
mine them justly and to the best adj
vantage OF the nation as a whole. but
justice is easier to speak of than to
arrive at, and there are some con-
siderations which l hope we shall all
keep steadilyAin mind while this par
ticular problem of justice 10 being
worked out. I, therefore, take the
liberty OF stating very candidly my
own views of the situation and Of the
Rfihei pies which should guide both
the government and the mine owners
and manufacturers OF the country in
this difficult matter.
VIII Pay just Price.
"A Just price must. of course, be
paid for everything the government
buys. BY a just price l mean a price
which will sustain the industries con-
cerned in a high state OF efficiency.
provide a living for those who con-
duct them, enable them to pay good
wages, and make possible the ex-
pansions of their enterprises which
will from time to time become neces.
sary as the stupendous undertakings
of this great war develop. We could
not wisely or reasonably do less than
pay such prices. They are necessary
for the maintenance and development
of industry; and the maintenance ana
development of industry are necessary
for the great task we have In hand
But trust that we shall not surround
the matter with mist OF sentiment
Facts are our masters now. We ought
not to put the acceptance Of such
prices on the ground of patriotism.
Patriotism has nothing to do with
profits in a case like this. Patriotism
and profits ought never in the present
circumstances. to be mentioned to-
gether. 1t is perfectly proper to dis
cuss profits as a matter of business,
with a view to maintaining the intee-
rity of capital and the efficiency OF
labor in these tragical months when
the liberty of free men everywhere
and of industry itself trembles in the
balance; but 1t would be absurd to
discuss them as motive for helping
to serve and save our country Pa
triotism leaves profits out OF the ques-
ton
Not In Work for Gain.
I'm these days OF our supreme
trial when we are sending hundreds
of thousands of our young men across
the seas to serve a great cause, no
true man who stays behind to work
for them and sustain them by his
labor will ask himself what he 10
personally going to make out of that
labor. No true patriot will permit
himself to take toll their heroisns
in money or seek to grow rich by the
shedding of their blood. He will give
as freely and with as unstinted self
sacrifice as they. When they arc
giving their lives will he not give At
least his money?
The Doctrine Of Profitccrs.
II hear II insisted that more than
just price, more than a price that
will sustain our industries must BE-.
paid; that /. is necessary to pay very
liberal and unusual profits In order to
stimulate production; that nothing
but pecuniary rewards will do it--re-
wards paid In money not In the mere
liberation of the world. I take 1t for
granted that those who argue thus do
not stop to think what that means.
Do they mean that you must be paid.
must be bribed to make your contrib
button. a contribution that costs you
neither a drop OF blood nor Q tear.
when the whole world Is in travail
and men everywhere depend upon the
call on you to bring them out OF bonds
age and make the world At place 70
live In again amidst peace ana JUS
tice? Do they mean that you VIII
exact price TO drive a bargain with
the men who are enduring the a1onx
of this war on the battlefield. IN tn
trenches. amidst the lurking dangefa
OF the sea. or with the bereaveA -
men and the pitiful children. befor0k
YOU will come forward to do your daey
and give some part of your ltXes
easy. peaceful fashion for the thtMD1
we are lighting for, the thinGg 49,.
have Mad SsA ~..- S~sAaas>A> An& 1a