Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-07-20
FORGET PROFITS;
WIN THE WAR
President Wilson Appeals to Bus
mess interests Of Country.
JUST PRICES IS HIS DEMAND
Business Should Not Take Toll or
Men In Trenches, Says the Chief
Executive--Ship owners
Are Condemned.

Are Condemned.
Standardization Wilson ap
pealed to the country's business In
terests Wednesday TO put aside every
selfish consideration and to give thell
aid to the nation as freely as those
who 20 to offer their lives on the bat
tlefield.
In statement addressed to the coal
operators and manufacturers he gave
assurance that just prices VIII be pald
by the government and the public dur
Ing the war, but warned that no AT
tempt to extort unusual profits Will be
tolerated.
"Your patriotism" said the presi'
dents appeal SIS Of the same self
denying stuff as the patriotism of the
men dead and manned on the fields of
France. or II Is no patriotism Mt all.
Let us never speak, then, OF profits
and patriotism In the same sentence,
81 shall expect every man who Is NOT
a Stacker to be at my side throughout
this great enterprise. In It no man
can win honor who thinks OF himself"
Condemns ship Owners.
The president declared there must
be but one price for the government
and for the public. He expressed con.
fdence that business generally would
be found loyal to the last degree, and
that the problem Of wartime prices,
which he declared will "mean victory
or defeat" will be solved rightly
through patriotic cooperation.
In unmeasured terms, however, Mr..
Wilson condemned the ship owners Of
the country for maintaining a schedule
OF ocean freight rates which has
placed almost insuperable obstacles
in the path of the government
Presidents Call.
The presidents statement follows:
"The government Is about to attempt
10 determine the prices at which It
will ask you hencefnrth to furnish va
rlous supplies which are necessary for
the prosecution Of the war, and varl.
Gus materials which will he needed in
the Industries by which the war must
be sustained. We shall. Of course, try
TO determine them Justly and to the
best advantage Of the nation as
whole; but justice Is easier TO speak
OF than to arrive at. and there are
some considerations which hope We
shall keep steadily in mind while this
particular problem Of justice is being
worked ont,
Promises Just Price.
Therefore | take the liberty OF
stating very candIdly my own view of
the situation and Of the principles
which should guide both the govern
ment and the mine owners and man
ufacturers of the country In this diff
lcult matter.
"A just price must of course be
paid for everything the government
buys. BY just price mean price
which Will sustain the Industries con
'erned in high state Of efficiency,
provide living for those who con
luct them. enable them to pay good
wages, and make possible the ex-
Of their enterprises which
VIII from time to time become neces-
'ary as the stupendous undertakings
If this great war develop.
Must Face the Facts.
I'VE could not wisely or reasonably
10 less than pay such prices. They
ire necessary for the maintenance
md development Of industry. and the
maintenance and development of in
lustry are necessary for the great task
We have In hand
but | trust that we shall not sur
ound the matter with a mist of SEN
iment. Facts are our masters now.
We ought MOTTO put the acceptance
4 such prices on the ground of patrl-
tism."
Patriotism has nothing to do with
'rofits in case like this. Patriotism
nd profits ought never in the present
circumstances be mentioned together.
ut is perfectly proper to discuss
rotits as matter of business, with
lew TO maintaining the integrity of
apltal and the efficiency Of labor In
hese tragical months, when the lib
rty Of free men everywhere and of
Industry itself trembles In the bal
nee, but 1t would be absurd to dis
uss them as a motive for helping to
erve and save our country.
patriotism leaves profits out of the
ueston. In these days of our SUI
RENE trial, when we are sending hun
reds Of thousands of our young men
cross the seas to serve a great cause,
o true man who stays behind to
-ork for them and sustain them BY
Is labor will ask himself what-he Is
ersonally going to make out of that
lbor.
mo true patriot will permit himself
take toll Of their heroism In money
seek to grow rich by the shedding
their blood, He will give as freely
nd with as unstlnted self-sacrlfice
they. When they are giving their
yes. will he not at least give his
oney7
AssalIs Bribery"
Il hear 1t insisted that more than
just price, more than a price that
Ill sustain our Industries, must be
I'D; that 1t Is necessary to pay very
beral and unusual profits in order to
Emulate production; that nothing
It pecuniary rewards will do-re-
>~~~-~-~.~-~-~~-~~~-~~~
Unnecessary Caution. /