Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-16
rehabilitation of Nations INDUSTRIES


a NATIONS transition from tho arts OF
war to the paths of peace involves .
task so tremendous that few as yet realize
the character or scope Of the difficulties that
must DO encountered and surnounted. De-
mobilization OF that mighty lighting force
which the United States sont to Europe and its
return to home shores Is in itself an undertake
ing that must be accomplished gradually and
will require upwards Of two years for its
completion. But that is simple matter OF
military routine when compared with what
lies before this country in changing tho
channels OF practically all it's great industries
through which streams OF production in con-
stantly increasing volume have bsen flowing
toward the battle fields. and directing them
toward their former provinces OF peaceful
national construction. AS the whole indus
trial fabric of tho nation was changed when
war was declared, SO again the current of
life must be reversed, and the problems pre-
sented by this necessary revolution are as
important and complex rs the one which pro-
coded It, because of the many new angles
and intricacies created by tho European con-
nict.
There can be no overnight revolution in
industry. It's rehabilitation must be so
gradual that no disjointing OF the wheels Of
progress and consequent Generalization can
ensue. To bring about that end the interests
most carefully. Billions Of dollars are in
vested in old and new industries which in
largo measure are dependent for existence
on their army contracts and millions OF
laborers, men and women. look to them for
livelihood. Now that tho word essential"
has become moxe or less meaningless because
OF the end Of the war and the cessation of
its requirements, factories and workshops
must turn back to tho making OF their former
nj hau p,Nu ho trlrn
OF until the resumption Of normal civil life
brings sufficient orders to their books to keep
their wheels revolving and their labor en-
ployed. New plants erected for the manu-
facture OF war munitions and other essen
tails must not be abandoned and their thou
sands OF workmen thrown out upon their own
resources. They must be given time for con-
version to other uses, or for the absorption
OF their working forces into other industrial
lines. 1t is certain. or should be, that the
government will cancel its contracts SO grad
ually that these results can be accomplished
easily and there will be no dangerous dis
ruption.
Problems connected with the picking up OF
foreign trade where war interrupted its flow.
the exploitation OF vast commercial fields now
ready to be opened up or enlarged and the
development of shipping will require handling
as careful as those moro intimate difficulties
ut home If the United States is to profit from
its newly won international prestige and the
freshened confidence which foreign lands
have for Its commercial ability and integrity.
However these things may be determined
there should be a certain degree Of govern
ment supervision which will make impos-
sole recurrence Of that unenyiable repu-
tation as trading nation earned through the
greed and sometimes questionable methods
OF its traders.
The best minds of the country are CEN
tered on the solution OF the various per-
piexities presented by peace-time resumption,
nut only by the same deliberate study, care
lul judgment and unselish devotion that
were displayed in war can the full and I'M
interrupted enjoyment OF the fruits OF ma
ton without enmities be secured.