The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-03

vices IL was necessary for them TO
render. by which to make sure of an
abundant supply OF the materials
needed. by which to check undertake
ings that could for the time be dis
pensed with and stimulate those that
wore most serviceable in war, by
which to gain for the purchasing de-
partments Of the government q GER
lain control over the prices of essen
tial articles and materials by which
10 restrain trade with alien enemies
mako the most>of the available ship
STMTPklsxi ylAt AI.1 - M nEkJ
that there would be no Unnecessary
conflict or confusion. by which. in
short to put every material energy
of the country in harness to draw the
common load and make Of US one team
In the accomplishment Of a great task.
Restrictions Lifted.
But the moment we knew the ar
mistice TO have been signed, we took
the harness off. Raw materials, upon
which the government had kept its
hands for fear there should not be
enough for the Industries that sup
Piled the armies, have been released
and put into the general market again.
Great industrial plants whose whole
output and machinery had been taken
over for the uses Of the government
nave btfH ret Tree TO return TO Inc
uses to which they were put before
the war 1t has not been possible to
remove so readily or so quickly the
control of foodstuffs and of shipping.
because the world has still to be fed
from our granaries. and the ships are
stu needed to send supplies to our
men oversee and to bring the men
back as fast as the disturbed condi-
tions on the other side of the water
DeYrlif. Nj tpfs
being relaxed as much as possible and
more and more as the weeks go by.
Never before have there been
agencies in existence in this country
which knew so much Of the field of
supply of labor and of industry as
the war Industries board the war
trade board. the labor department the
food administration and the fuel adj
ministration have known since their
iabors became thoroughly systematized
and they have not been isolated
agencies; they have been directed by
men which represented tho permanent
departments of the government, and
so have been the centers of unified
and cooperative action. IT has been
the policy of the executive, therefore,
since the armistice was assured (Which
is In effect q complete submission OF
the enemy to put the knowledge of
these bodies al the disposal of the
business men of the country and to
offer their Intelligent mediation at
every point and in every matter where
1t was desired It is surprising how
fast the process to return to a peace
footing has moved in the three weeks
since the fighting stopped. 1t promises
TO outrUn any inquiry that may be
Instituted and any aid that may be
offered, 1t will not be easy to direct
| It any better than it will direct itself
The American business man is of quick
| initiative.
Problems of Re-Em pfoymeut
The ordinary and normal processes
! of private initiative will not, however
provide immediate employment for all
! Of the men of our returning armies
| Those who are of trained capacity
/ those who have acquired familiar ity
| with established business, those who
, arc ready and willing to go to the
| farms. all those whose aptitudes are
known or will find no diffTculty, it is
safe to saw, in finding place and en-
known or will be sought out by en-
ployers will find no difficulty il is
! livelihood unless pains are taken to
gnide them and put them in the way
! of work. There will be a large floating
residium of labor which should not be
left wholly to shift for itself. 1t seems
to me important. therefore. that the
development OF public works OF every
sort should be promptly resumed. in
order that opportunities should be
created for pnskilled labor in parti-
cular and that plans should be made
for such developments OF bur unused
| lands and our natural resources as
we have hitherto lacked stimulation 10
| undertake.