The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-04-09

people detest unintelIigence more than
any other quality.
4 have been told that / must moi
speak to the American people on
economics. that the mass OF the people
OF the United States cannot under
stand economics. Let me say, my
friends, that the people of America
do understand economics. They don't
understand the man who cannot ex-
plain It intelligently to them. but they
can understand economics IL IL is ex-
planned to them intelligently. AS
have gone through the country and
spoken on these questions l have never
failed to get a response from an Amer
lean audience. and II is necessary in
this loan to frankly DISCUSS these ques-
tons with the American people and
let them know what il liz to finance
a great war and what must be done
by them to finance that war intelli-
gently.
cannot do anything as secretary
of the treasury without the confidence
and support OF the people of America;
! cannot do anything as secretary OF
the treasury with only the support of
the bankers OF the United States,
great an that support is and welcome
as that support 10, and splendid as II
alone carry this burden.
Another thing of importance ia that
the banks perform their necessary
functions and keep their funds in
liquid form to, supply credits to the
industries engaged In the manufacture
of munitions of war and In carving
on the general business of the country
and we must not take all the funds
OF these banks; they must not take
all of these bonds. They must take
a reasonable percentage Of them. but
the only true way tn finance this war
r. to sell tho bonds OF the United States
to tho people of the United States.
The more people who buy nifty dol
lar bonds and 500 bonds and $500
bonds, the better it Is for America and
the more discouraging it is TO our
enemies. Do you know that It would
be a most impressive thing II We could
say to the kaiser that not $500. 900
American citizens. as In the last loan,
had subscribed. but that this issue YVES
taken by 100000 or sUU. 90 900 Of
American citizens? II that was done,
it would be a magnificent elem ent
of strength In the financial position
OF the country, and a far reaching
effect on the general economy OF the
situation.
How the Money Is Spent.
Now / want to tell you of at least
ane way in which this money is be-
ing spent. We have done one thing in
this war~that no nation in history
had ever done before. We did some
thing in recognition of the sacrifices
on the Uniform of their country. and
that are made by the men who put
the sacrifices made by their family.
Do you realize that when a soldier
eulists or is drafted into the service
of the United States, that the entire
family OF that soldier is called to
the colors? Don't you see that his
earning power, IL the family In de-
pendent upon it. is withdrawn from
that family? Don't you see that the
wife and the children have to suffer
the unspeakable agonies of anxiety
as the soldier goes on this dangerous
mission from which he may never re-
turn, upon this dangerous mission
which may III can that he will die the
death OF hero on the field OF battle
in foreign country, without the
comfort of a wife or child or relative,
buried, perhaps, in an unmarked
grsve7 Many of them are making the
supreme sacrifice in order that Amer
lea shall keep the torch of liberty
burning in the world and make Amer
lea safe for yourselves and your poe
terity Do you realize what it means
my friends. when a loved one goes
to the front; the agonies OF the wife
or mother? Many are in this audience
whose brave sons have gone out 20
fight for our country.
Can you understand what It means
to pick up the newspaper in the morn
ing and look at that fateful list to
see il the name you love most Is
there? Can you realize the anxiety
and the agony which comes to you
every time you see telegraph mes
senger at your house? Can you realize
what It means to the wife with little
children, who hasn't the means to
support herself ana who must he
dependent in large part upon the
charity OF the community in which she
lives?
Oh. my fellow countryrnen, how
can VIC think without emotion of these
gallant, noble heroes and their gal
liant. noble wives. mothers, fathers and
children who are carrying the brunt OF
this great tragic enterprise for us?
But America illumined the world
once more with a noble and splendid
act of humanity. She passed bill
by the unanimous vote OF both houses
of the congress providing life insur-
ance for every soldier and every sailor
and every nurse who wears the uni
form OF our country. And she pro-
vided in that act for the support OF
these dependent families. Private SOL
diers get $3.50 a year for service in
this country and 1895 year for ser
vice upon the soil of France or in
foreign countries--that is all we pay
fix that price. WE FIX
THEIR WAGES. and imperii their
lives I'm the bargain. and yet when we
lend our money to the government
some people say that four and a
quarter per cent Is not enough. Con-
trast that with what the soldier does.
He may give his life and he gets s396
a year. SIS month. IL IL sacrilcge to
compare his sacrifice TO the sacrifice
OF lending money to the government
OF the United States at four and n
quarter per cent interest.
Aid for Dependents.
We provided in that bill that every
enlisted man should be compelled to
allot one-haif of his pay. If he is mar
ried. for the support of his wife. We
take 1t out of his pay In addition to
that the government gives that wife
SIS more a month. And we give to
each child in addition SIS month, so
If there are three children the wife
would get s46 month while the
husband In away from home
He is also permitted to take si0,-
f0O af tnsnrspea 1ira~ft,. frarn