The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-17
Must We BE Controlled.
(By Charles j. Rosebault of The
Vigilantes.)

We are naturally an eXtravagant
people. SO long as we can see, even
though it be in the future, the means
to pay we keep our expenditures on
the highest level of our desires.
That has not been altogether an
evil in normal times. 1t has driven
the American provider to the limit
tC keep pace with his expenditures
and those of his family, but it has
made him inventive, it has made him
daring, it has made him utilize every
ounce of energy and every grain OF
ingenuity. 1t has made for swift en-
terprise, for daring-and it has up-
doubtedly accomplished results which
could not have been achieved had we
been more conservative.
But we are now at war and con.
ditions are entirely changed. We
nave got to learn-eVen at the cost CT
blood and tears-that extravaganza
at such a time cannot be permitted
1t is not question of providing the
money. 1t is not question of wheth-
er we can afford it. 1t is entirely Il
question of conserving the supplies
Though you possess the money to pay
for all the food in your local mark let
you have no right to consume nor
even to buy one ounce more than you
actually need. Though the soaring
cost Of gasoline means nothing to
your pocket it is criminal for you to
use gallon more than your reason
able necessities require. The fortune
OF Rockefeller docs not justify self
indulgence now. Money is of value
only as it can help win the war. 9th
erwise. for our present purposes, it
means nothing more than the means
for securing n livelihood. At least.
that is what it should mean.
The great Fundamental fact is that
the supplies required to keep the
world going-at least, that part of the
world in which we are Interested
DO not measure up to the demand, or
even to the absolute requirements We
are short of food to feed our armies.
our allies and ourselves, not to men,
ton the neutrals. We are short mil
hons of gallons of gasoline, and gas
oline is one of the essentials for the
successful conduct of our war. Ev-
cry Joy-ride, every unnecessary trip
takes from the common stock and
thereby has it's influence on the pro-
longing of the war. Though you can
pay S5 a gallon you have no right 10
consume even a pint beyond your re-
quirements. Your money does not in
crease the supply.
So it goes along the whole line.
Money has lost it's comparative value
for the time being. 1t is the size of
the stock that we have on hand or
can obtain which is the important
factor The rich man has no right
to draw upon this stock because he
has the money to pay for it.
10 be luxurious now is not only q
crime but will swiftly meet with its
own punishment. Unless it is i'm
mediately stopped the millionaire as
well as the beggar will be put upon
q strict allowance. Our Allies as
well as Germany have reached that
point. No gasoline at all can be Sc
cured for new cars in England The
allowance for old cars is strictly linn :
tied.
Do the automobilists of America
want to be put upon an allowance? If
not, let them cut down their wasteful-
ness at once. The motor car as a
business convenience and for reason
able family use may be tolerated for
a long time. AS ministering to our
pleasure IL will have to be strictly
limited Applying reasonableness
now will prevent harsh control later.
When 1T comes to the test the needs
of our aeroplaneS ambulances and
war motor cars will be met first
What applies to gasoline applies to
meat, to flour, to sugar and a hundred
other necessities. The American
must overcome his normal habits. He
must learn to be Spartan and a
miser. If he doesn't, the lesson may
be taught him in the least palatable
form-by government interference.