The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-27
HISTORICAL SAVING
A PERIL TO NATION
Warning Contained i'm First Statement
Issued by the Public Infor-
nation Committee.
Especial to New York Times.)

al defense, issued a warming to the
country today against indiscriminate
economy. calling attention to the
need for continued prosperity as well
as for the elimination OF waste. In
an interview given out today by the
newly organized committee on public
information, the first statement which
the committee has issued. following
trip through the west. Mr.. Conn
expressed the fear that the country
might be injured in n hysterical wave
of misguided patriotism.
After nearly three years OF refusal
to take the European war and it's les
sons seriously" he said, I'VE sudden
~ launched forth in a most feverish
activity TO save the country over
night. Patriotic organizations almost
without number are milling around,
noisily and while intentions are good
the results are often far from prac-
teal Because OF an impending and
possible shortage of foodstuffs we
have historical demands for economy
in every line OF human endeavor.
Waste is bad. but an undiscriminat-
ing economy Is worse.
Some states and municipalities are
stopping road building and other pub
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savings are being withdrawn from the
banks reports show that some peo-
pie have begun to hoard food sup
plies. and thousands OF workers are
being thrown needlessly out OF en-
ployment. All this Is wrong. Cnem-
poyment and closed factories brought
about by ftful and ill-advsed cam
pagns for public and private econ
omy. will prove a veritable founda-
ton of quick for the serious
49,
the president has said that this is a
time to correct our habits OF waste
fulness. Certainly. But the keynote
of his message to the people was this
paragraph:
at is evident 70 every thinking
man that our industries on the farm.
in the shipyards In the mines in tho
factories. must be made more proiih"
and more efficient
Need Prosperity In War.
We need prosperity in war time
even more than when we are at peace.
Business depressions are always bad.
but doubly go when we hHye a night
on our hands The declaration OF war
can have no real evil effects on busi-
ness What bad effects are apparent
are purely psychologist and largely of
our own foolish making. for our mar
kets are the same in April that they
were in March. We need more bust
ness, NOT less. There Is real danger IN
hysteria. Indiscriminate economy will
he ruinous. Now is the time to open
the throttle.
Every day the advisory commission
of the council OF national defense re-
Ceives offers OF service from business
firms and individuals with requests
for immediate information as to how
this service may best be rendered.
Now and then great dissatisfaction
s4,J e ,A toI 4 ~ i
expressed because instant advantage
Is not taken OF such offers. Many
firms are hesitating to close ordinary
business contracts because OF a de-
sire TO hold capacity open to meet
possible early government need.
This spirit and this willingness 70
meet sacrifice and even financial loss,
in the government service. Is a most
encouraging tribute to American pa
triotisrn But we must remember that
In the great struggle In which we
have now become part there il
much to consider besides munitions.
troops and hattleships Few OF us can
serve in any heroic role. or even In
the supply of munitions to the mill
tary arms OF the service.
In this country OF vast resources
we already have tremendous equip
ment for munitions making. built up
on foreign orders, and now immediate
~ available through expiration OF
these orders. Except in limited cases,
there Is little need for the develop
ment of new sources OF supply. The
dictates OF common business sense
require the utilization as far as pos
sible, of existing machinery.
Keep the Fires Burning"
ut seems to me- therefore. that n
plain statement OF general policy Is
most desirable. Upon the industrial
side of the war three great problems
or perhaps I should better say tasks
confront us.
First and foremost. We must Ia
cilitate the flow of raw materials and
finished products to our allies. and
must provide the means of rail and
water transportation therefor.
Second, we must meet our own
great military and naval building
schedules.
Third. we must plan to do all
this with the least possible disar-
rangement of our own vast CONNER
cal and Industrial machines
Through it all we must keep n
close eye upon the possible condi-
tons OF peace following the present
war We must insure the business
success and general prosperity OF the
country during the war II we are TO
hold our present strong place among
nations in the commercial compe-
tition of the future
There is no doubt OF the willing
ness OF any manufacturing plant or
individual to serve should the call
come. But until the call does come.
II is best to stick TO the job. Let us
make Better Business our watch
word and keep our factory fires burn
ing. No radically new conditions con-
front us. We are still cut off from
business relations with the central
powers, but that does not mean that
we have lost any markets. With the
rest of the world we will continue to
do volume OF business greater than
ever before. To the billions which
have been spent here by foreign pow
ers are now to be added the billions
OF our own. State activities. road
building, public works, private In
dustries, all must go on as before
Business must he increased. labor
employed. and the country kept 60
ino strongly ahead as a succegaful