The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1917-12-26
Lessons from
the World War
by DR.. e G. HORNY

i
Among the lessons emphasized BY
the world war are economy and 10y
atty, either being capable Of demon
stration in variety Of degrees. One
may manifest loyalty in subscribing
to the Liberty Loan, the Red Cross,
and by vigorously boosting the en-
listment of soldiers and sailors, but
at the same time be guilty Of cut
ting down an otherwise high percent
age on the score board of loyalty by
Wastefulness in the use Of both food
and fuel.
The repeated requests being sent
out from the United States food and
fuel administrators are not given the
attention in many places. they de-
serve. Not only are the army and
the navy dependent upon food and
fuel in order to operate at all, but it
is likewise true that the nation it |
self depends upon food and fuel to
avoid collapse. The world shortage
of certain necessities demands econ
0my, and that sort of economy that
finds its expression in actual terms
Of every day life.
In requesting wheatless and meat
less days the government did not
mean that just as much wheat and
meat should be used as heretofore.
The issue was accurately stated,
namely, not to conserve meant to
lose the war. The higher loyalty de-
mands that call from the regular
lily constituted officials Of the govern
ment be observed with scrupulous ex-
actness, and the compliance there
with should be as quickly and accu-
rately accomplished as that expected
of soldier whenever he hears the
bugle's blast.
To conserve fuel means that in
every home where possible there shall
be one less room heated, and where
two, three or four or more rooms may
be disconnected from the heating ap-
paratus, to disconnect less number
means a shortage in loyalty as well
as in the available coal supply. This
structure applies as forcibly to church
es and halls as to homes and should
be given consideration wherever the
possibility exists for the practical ap-
| plication of real and not theoretical
conservation.
When President Wilson was ques-
toned as to what the churches could
do to help in the present crisis re-
piled: run the churches at their
highest efficiency, and in this way
they will help most" Consequently
according to his dictum, there should
be no slackers in the activities of
the churches today. However, it may
be asserted that that man or church
is Stacker who would evince the
lack Of economical administration.
The church can economic by hold
ing many meetings in private homes
where large auditorium may not be
required, it being conceded that large
auditoriums were dedicated for the
use Of audiences incapable Of accom-
mediation in residences. Where the
attendance indicates that the group
ing of audiences for services is pos
sible such grouping should be effected
in the interest of the economical use
Of both fuel and light since Sunday
and Thursday nights are designated
by the fuel administrator as lightless
nights. While it is asserted that the
order does not apply to churches, to-
fall into line and comply with the or
der would place the churches out on
the second mile,o proving that they
were willing to do more than they
were dShCu W w, q pA0Io1WOA tAy 90
tivity and worthy Of demonstration.
If many signs do not fail it will
not be many days until every county,
city, town, Incorporated village and
hamlet will have its food and fuel
representative working under govern
mental supervision, charged with Sc
curing compliance with what is now
simply requested in the province OF
conservation. AS newspaper CORE
spondent was permitted to visit
some Of the territory between the
Marine and the German frontier, also
the Italian border, and knowing the
country as do, and judging from
reports in the press, am convinced
that the battles. Of the Marine and
lVerdun are to be eclipsed by the
battle yet to be waged in the plains
and in the valleys of France, that
battle to be designated as the decisive
battle of the world war, and the
greatest in the worlds history to
date, and likely the worlds last
mighty clash at arms. The worlds
future depends upon the outcome of
today.