Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-04
THE DANGER IN HISTORICAL
ECONOMY

a MEXICAN tendencies have been, and still seem to
n be. toward exaggeration, hyperbole in which
brag, buster and buncombe appear, but to much
less extent, in recent years, than few years ago
This could hardly be called national SIM it is rather
natural fault There has, of course, been wonderful
achievement justifying pride and excusing some Drag
Political business enthusiasm excuses many errors
in what might be called good form.
This, of course. applies periods of prosperity
a temperamental people changed conditions
bring alternate periods of exatation and depression
When we are bullish the country, or on business
very, bullish. and when we are bearsh we
are in the depths. In both circumstances conjure
up ourselves into believing that Impossible
developed and the best or the worst
just ahead of us.
one of those exaggeration periods is with US now
and takes peculiar form to be reflected in newspaper
headlines and articles about food famines false
economies confscatory taxation conscrption OF our
and brightest etc, etc. Perhaps hyperooles OF
is In concerted earnest effort but facts are
so contrary tendencies of comment that this seems
sangune
There is no more danger of a food famine in the
United than there is of exhaustion of coal or
supplies but this exaggeration has resulted In
boarding of supplies everywhere one of the worst
things could happen a with evil results
which follow withdrawal of deposits from financial
institutions times of panic and concealing them IN
of the alarmed. That there is world snort
age Of food must conceded Therefore 1t Is duty
10 prevent waste modify ones gastronomc eX-
cesses in that out of abundance needy ones
may be supplied shortage is conceded, but this
country get along without wheat If 1t had 70 III
It's abundance of other cereals and Nprooaoy 10 It's
physical good Unquestonably, agitation and exasser-
alton have resulted in increased planting ana con-
servation of live stock this, with elimination OF
waste will add exportable surplus vast 1000 supplies
Perhaps worst o better stated, more menacing
hysteria developed many localities is expressed
determination by to economic in dress on the
theory that by doing they will help their country in
time The effect would be exactly the reverse
There may come a time (more than improbable 1t Is
true, It may when economies In all expenol-
lures may be necessary but the best service to be
rendered by men and now Is to continue ex-
penditures liberal scale OF the present. except
perhaps in item Of foodstufrs
Exaggeration also appears in plaintve tales Of the
needs allies; the monumental dangers which
front them; amount of money they need month
from in fears of taxation which will reduce
penury destroy business interests and
on and on no one for a moment seeming to consider
that If the necessities Of allies represented,
conditions of the central powers must be almost
hopeless
War may collapse, because of exhaustion financial,
physical supplies. There is need of hystera
over which have to be made when there
much evidence nothing like sacrifice Is in sight
ara when the common view is that additional
monetary helpngs (more than compensated Tor by IN
creased efficiency department OF business from
agriculture up) will be the main contribution Oh tnls
to the allied cause
If necessity arises for great armies from these
shores will be to enthuse the world but
wide difference between enthusiasm and state
of mind created by exaggeraton unprecedented
conditions. Common is OF the virtues worth
cutivating at all times, and assiduously in these
Edward D. Jones in the New York Daily News Record
4 A lot of people will be glad to give up the
hard life of the city for the affluence of the farm