The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-23


methods Of using it's milled product. These are
large economies; but the largest economy OF all
will be the sum of the small economies that
can be effected.
TRUE AND FALSE ECONOMY.
Doubtless all are deeply interested In the
economies which the president has suggested
but which are, it seems to The Gate City, un-
duly accumulated by some OF the self-constl-
tuted advisers to the people. There is always,
everywhere, a disposition to overdo any system
of reform once it is inaugurated. Invariably
there are two sides to every question; and IN
variably there are those who seek to make 1T
appear otherwise. Hence manufacturers are
showing disposition to combat the hysterical
cry of forced economy that is now heard and
which apparently is being fostered and fur
thered to dangerous point. One OF these
reported in the telegraph
news columns of The Gate City, remarked:
Hystercal economy, which is likely to be fos
tered at the inception of entrance to the war;
is going do untold harm to the country if it is
allowed to gain momentum. Most people will be
afraid to combat the arguments of these
called advocates of economy, the ground that
they will be accused Of unpatriotic methods but
it should be brought home to these people that
the boarding of money is the worst disaster which
happen to nation.
There thousands of rich people in this
country who. like the rest of US, will bear share
of the wars burdens through the medium of in
creased taxation, and all going to pay
willingly, but if we going to stop buying many
of the necessary things to which have accus
toned ourselves, which, with prosper
conditions, are able to buy, what is going
to become of the industries which exist these
purchases. and the hundreds and thousands of
persons these industries provide With an income?
The rich carf afford to buy what they want, but if :
of them, who like to see their name in
print urge AGAINST ouyi f any m
liable to deprive thousands OF persons of the
means of existence
It was recently reported that the wives OF
members of the cabinet and the wife Of the
president had decided to reduce their scale OF
living and to avoid all unnecessary expendi-
lures. This disposition is deserving of the high
est praise It is pointed out that there never
was time when the women of this nation did
not do their part in a crisis-did not offer every
sacrifice it was possible for them to make for
the good Of the nation. But let remember
that the economies that should be practiced
should relate more particularly to food and
other supplies Of absolute necessity. Waste in
these lines has it's effect in enhancing values Of
articles which are needed in the everyday lives
of all
However, in considering this economy adj
vice. it would be well not to lose sight OF the
fact that industries have grown up IN the
United States which give employment to great
numbers of our people. These industries upon
which literally millions depend for a livelihood,
may be seriously injured by too strict economy
in the purchase of things which do not relate to
the masses of the people except to give them
employment. These many dependent ones will
suffer from privation and want unless leglti-
mate business established in peace times is per-
mitted to continue.
The particular thing is not to economic at
the expense of those who work. It is all right
to economic in the matter of food and other
absolute necessities. To turn away from the
verv things men and women have been devot-
ing their lives to will bring about realization
that a luxury is a stern necessity to those who
produce it, There should be line drawn as to
where economy should begin and end.
An example Of income tax discrimination Is
referred to bya correspondence of The Gate City,
who asks: ''Can you see any good reason why
there should be any discrimination in the appli-
cation of an income taxi Why should not the
president, members of congress and in fact all
officehoders, either state national, pay taxes
as we'll as clerks and officers of corporations2''
There is no good reason why these offceholders
from the president down, should not pay There
are obvious reasons why they. as well as other
patriotic citizens, should carry their share of
the load particularly at time when the ex-
penses Of the government are extraordinary