The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-21

washington, April 21.-Warning to
the nation against a real danger IN
historical and ill-advised economy ano
interference with normal pursuits OF
the people Is given by Howard Z. Cor
fin, of the advisory commission OF the
Council Of National Defense, in 9
statement made public last night as
the f1rst enterprise Of the government g
new committee on public information
Just returned from a trip through
several middle western states, Mr
CONN deplores the fact that conditions
of unemployment and closed factories
should arise as q result OF indiscrlm-
mate efforts, public and private toward
war time economies.
AFTER nearly three years or refusal
to take the European war and Its les
son seriously" Mr.. Conn says 1--WE
suddenly launched forth in a most
Severish activity to save the country
over night. Patriotic organizations, al
most without number. are milling
around noisily and while their inten-
tions are good the results are often far
from Dractical.
"Recause of an impending and pos
sihIe shortage of foodstufrs we nave
hvsterical demands for economy IN
every line of human endeavor. Waste
is had but an undiscriminating econ
omy is worse. ..,.,..,u,. -
aSome states and municipalities are
stopping road building and other nup-
lie work. General business Is being
Slowed down because of the emotional
response of the trading public to these
misguided campaigns for economy;
savings are being withdrawn from tne
banks: reports show that some pelple
have begun to hoard food supplies and
thousands of workers are being thrown
needlessly out Of employment. All
this is wrong.
Unemployment and closed factorles'
brought about through fitful and 1ll-ad-
vised Campaigns for public and private
economy will prove veritable founda-
tion of quick sand for the serious work
we have at hand.
s'Tt Ia true that the president has SAID
that this is q. time to correct our hab-
its of wastefulness. Certainly! BUT
the keynote of his message TO the peo-
pie was this paragraph:
at is evident to every thinking man "a
that our industries, on the farm, In the
sbinvards. in the mines, in the factor
les. must be made more prollnc ana
more efficient
awe need prosperity in war time
even more than when we are at peace
The declaration of war can have no
real evil effect on business. What bad
effects are apparent are purely psycno-
logic and largely Of our twn foolish
making. For our markets are the same
in April that they were in March.
1--WE need more business, not less.
There is real danger in hysteria. In
discriminate economy will be ruinous.
Now is the time to open the throttle.
every day the advisory committee
of the council OF national defense re-
ceives offers of service from business
Arms and individuals with requests for
Immediate information as to how this
service may best be rendered. Now
and then great dissatisfaction with the
governmental departments is express
ed because instant advantage is now
taken Of such offers. Many firms are
hesitating to close ordinary business
contracts because Of a desire to hold
capacity open to meet possibly early
government need
This spirit and willingness to meet
sacrifice and even financial loss in the
government service is a most encour-
aging tribute TO American patriotism.
But we must remember there is much
to consider besides munitions. troops
and battleshipA
Few Of az can serve In any heroic