Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-14
A an ote" to "Bus:ness" Pirates.

For many moons Americas TRACE
specrlative and gambling Prusslans
have been sinking the peoples rights
without warning or chance to escape.
Pleadines to Congress and protests 10
the administration have proven as un-
ayainne as q dogs baying the moon.
Blu, at last it has brought response
TIE President has written Note 10
big business.
Just as he urged Germany not to SINK
anv more steamers carrying unarmeo
an1 defcnseless American suo1ects'
Just as he appealed to Mexican oanolts
not TO slaughter any more American
women and children, our President mas
now asked the constituencies prohteers
OF the United States not to indulge
further in evtortionate profits on the
country's war necessities.
II is A beautifully worded note
full of fine and patriotic phrases, calm
and wise and rhetorical. 1t shows a
complcte grasp of the situation "hlch
others have described more concisely
and forcefully. II should have instant
effect upon every patriotic citizen. and
we predict that it will.
But are these men, who are deliber-
ately and mercilessIy pIunderins their
fellow countrymen, patriotic?
We answer emphatically No They
are serving themselves first and, in do
ing that, the country's enemies.
And so we may expect that other
notes will be written while the whole
sale robbery Of the masses by a few
goes on. And then, after year or so
perhaps we shall declare war on the
food and fuel pirates-and then, and
then only. we may begin actual pre-
parations for suppressing the enemy.
Some business organizations ARE
patriotic And some smite their
breasts and proclaim their patriotism
at the expense Of newspapers. for ad-
vertising purposes. But others are de-
iiberately and persistently exacting the
last pound Of flesh that opportunity
tor the selfish permits. Their political
influence and their money are delay
ing the food control bill while mil
lions in profits are piled up daily. The
cry Of the "underfed" described by
Mr.. Hoover, is unheard--for there is nc
law TO MAKE it heard by greed.
The Kaisers scheme of terrorism. the
bombarding from the skies of helpless
women and childen. is no worse thar
robbing the widow whose son is fight
ing the country's enemies.
An appeal to Villa to "be good is
just as effective as an appeal to the
speculative sharks for "unselishness
in war prices"
What the country needs is LAW, anG
the Congress that is now playing horse
with the peoples rights is likely tc
hear from home in one way VI an.
other. before many more notes are
written.
And. SO far as the Presidents as
.ault on ship owners is concerned, the
Boston Herald OF Friday recalls an in.
cident OF executive Reputation Of cam.
paign position. in the following:
In a time Of general and great in.
crease of costs and prices, President
yNvh
power TO control them makes a spe.
cial criticism of the shipowners OF
the United States. In direct word:
ne accuses them of placing "almos
irsurerahle obstacles" in the way O.
the prosecution of the war. by the
ocean freight rates they have beer
Nacting"-though he generously ad
mits that that was not their motive
"Of course, the rates charged b,
American shipowners have been nj
higher than those set by foreign car
riers--n fact. when the larger yes
sells Of the United States coast trad,
have loaded for overseas ports the,
have proved a powerful restraining
influence. But there will be just re
sentiment in this maritime section. o
the country that the President has ST
conspicuously singled out one elias.
Of business men for this particula
condemnation. New England will no
forget that one persistent argument
one especially emphatic warning, o
those who for years before this wa
sought the uphuilding Of an Ameri
can overseas feet was that in a ma
tional crisis a lack Of ships would
mean excessive freight rates and gray,
crippling Of commerce-and that tn
political party and the section to which
the President belongs rejected this pie;
with very cold indifference.
There has been no combination o.
conspiracy of shipowners of this coun
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