Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-10-21

it is well for everybody TO understand
that the socialists and the other raids
Gals throughout the country are leav-
ing no stone unturned in attempting
to make government control and regu-
lation of Industries permanent. There
is apparently no thought of yielding to
the American bolshevikists who are
attempting to put one over on Uncle
Sam" while he is busy with the Huns.
"After the War"
According to the reconstruction res
olutions before congress, it appears that,
no plans have yet been seriously con-
sidered for the demobiliZatiOn of our
army and navy after the war. The
problem as to what is to be done with
these men must be solved.
Secretary Lane, of the interior de-
partment, appears to be the only cab
met officer who has come forward to
announce a plan of betterment for our
soldiers when they return from the bat
tie fronts. Nevertheless, it is fact
that practically every department and
bureau of the government has been de-
'veloping ways and means toward re-
construction, and they will all be put
forward. Secretary Lane, in letter
to the president, recalls that following
the civil war the soldiers went upon the
homestead land which was thrown open
to entry. Congress is asked to get busy
upon plan that has been outlined by
him to prepare government lands, to
supply drainage and other important
and extensive improvements that will
be necessary before land in great guam
titles can be made available. At the
close of the civil war this was an agri-
cultural, rather than a manufacturing,
nation, and it is impossible to forecast
the percentage of soldiers who will go
upon farm lands. 1t will be necessary
to provide employment for five million
men and to transfer millions of war
workers into employment in civil life.
There is in process of completion
war orders amounting to billions of
dollars, and when declaration OF
peace comes, most of these will neces-
sarily be cancelled Immediately. Con-
gress is beginning to pay attention to
these problems which will entail great
losses to misunderstanding into
amounts aggregating billions Of dollars,
and the adjustment OF which will Gre
ate situation of uncertainty that will
exist for years to come, Intimately
connected with the question OF labor
is the one relating to social welfare,
declared one of the senator's, who add
ed that the European countries have
taken steps, nationally, relating to vel
fare questions; for example, the provi-
sion of old age pensions, life insurance
and other similar matters.
New Questions Ahead.
The senate proceedings bring out the
fact that at the end Of the war we are
likely to have a merchant fleet larger
than that of any other country in the
world different relative position than
the one we held at the beginning of the
war. This fleet WILDE very largely
owned by the government, and it is q
problem that must be decided as to
whether we are going to sell the yards,
lease them or to operate them under
government ownership. Government
ownership crops UP in every industrial
problem.
Another immense problem confront
ing the government and the country,
affects the manufacturing plants and
other establishments created for war
purposes, the machinery for which may
or may not he available after war pro-
duction. 1t is likewise considered a
subject for the immediate present to
decide what we are going to dow
the millions of war workers now so
busily engaged who will find themselves
out of employment when peace has been
declared. 1t appears imperative that
the government must take some action
to protect it's war workers. The gov
eminent has an endless number OF
buildings now being used for exclusive
war purposes, and it must be deter
mined what is going to be done with
these buildings. What also is to be
done with the houses the government
has provided for its war workers!
Surely all this vast equipment must
not deteriOrate or go to the scrap heap.
At the same time the government can
not always do it all Private initi-
alive must return to bear its burdens,
for it is very clear that cooperative
industry will not solve the problem and
a wise modern philosopher gives this