The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-12

NY 4NAAO" --S
. Government is about to attempt
to determine the prices at which
II will ask you henceforth to
furnish various supplies which
are necessary for the prosecution
OF the war and various materials
which will be needed in the in
dustries by which the war must
be sustained.
We shall Of course try to deter
mine them Justly and to the best
advantage of the nation as q
whole; but Justice is easier to
speak OF than to arrive at, and
there are some considerations
steadily in mind while this par
ticulAr problem OF Justice is being
worked out. l, therefore, take
the liberty Of stating very can
didly my own view of the situa-
ton and OF the principles which
should guide both the Govern
ment and mine owners and manu-
facturers OF the country In this
difficult matter.
Must Pay Just Price.
A just price must, of course, be
paid for everything the Govern
ment buys. BY a just price I
mean a price which will sustain
the industries concerned in a high
state of efficiency, provide q liv-
ing for those who conduct them,
enable them 70 pay good wages,
and make possible expansions Of
their enterprises which will from
time to time become necessary
as the stupendous undertakings
OF this great war develop.
We could not wisely or reason
ably do less than pay such prices.
They are necessary for the main
tenance and development OF in
dustry: and the maintenance and
development OF industry are nee
essary for the great task we have
In hand. But I trust that we
shall not surround the matter
with q mist OF sentiment Facts
are our masters now. We ought
not to put the acceptance of such
prices on the ground OF patriot
ism
Patriotism has nothing to do
with proflts in a case like this.
Patriotism and profits ought
never in the present circum-
stances to be mentioned together.
1t IL perfectly proper to discuss
proflts as a matter of business,
with q view to maintaining the
integrity OF capital and the eff
cheney OF labor in these tragical
months when the liberty OF free
men everywhere and OF industry
itself trembles In the balance;
but Il would be absurd to discuss
them as q motive for helping to
serve and save our country.
Patriotism leaves profits out OF
the question.
In these days of our supreme
trial, when we are sending hun
dreds OF Thousands OF our young
men across the seas to serve q
great cause, no true man who
stays behind to work for them
and sustain them by his labors
VIII ask himself what he Is per-
sonally going to make out OF
that labor.
VIII Give as Freely.
No true patriot will permit him
self to take toll Of their heroism
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 are giving their lives
will he not give at least his
money!
ba.r % fnsT.t.d tb.t ,,aro
than q just price, more than a
price that will sustain our indus
tries, must be paid: that II Is
necessary to pay very liberal and
unusual profits in order to 'stim-
ulate" production; that nothing
but pecuniAry rewards will do
it-rewards paid in money, not
in the mere liberation of the
world.
/ take It 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 contribu-
ton, 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 and call to you TO
bring them out OF bondage and
make the world a Mt place to live
in again, amidst peace and jus
tice?
Do they mean that you will
exact a price. drive a bargain,
with the men who are enduring
the agony of this war on the bat
tleheld, in the trenches, amidst
the lurking dangers of the sea.
or with the bereaved women and
the pitIful children, before you
will come forward to do your
duty and give some part Of your
life. in easy, peaceful fashion,
for the things we are lighting for,
the things we have pledged our
fortunes, our lives, our sacred
honor TO vindicate and defend
liberty and Justice and fair deal
ing and the peace OF nationsH