Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-01

solemn day upon the country. Thought
full men say that the country is not
ready for the issue. Confusion, they de-
clare. will ensue If wise and prompt
measures are not taken to prepare the
American people for complete re-
versal in their thoughts and physical
operations.
Confusion is the soft word with which
they disguise such harsher conditions
as idleness, loss Of wages, hunger and
panic. "Have We" they ask, while
iberatins the world, forgotten our
Selves?"
England, with 14O committees Of
business men and trade experts, is pre-
pairing for the contending period that
is to follow the war Of rifles and sabers
France remembers that the smoke Of
factories will succeed the smoke Of
battle and Of burning cities. villages
Worlsingmen.
collective America, some one has said
Cicero. In his Oratory and Orators. as
serts that those who study man and his
manners are philosophers), thinks Of
but one big subject at time. There
naught but silver when Mr. Bryan runs
or will it be prohibition in the fu-
ture?
Much in praise can be spoken con-
corning singleness of purpose and tho
concentrattveness Of striving. but al
ways there should be some looking
ahead. at least by the philosophers II
not by the warriors. Although vision
Is wearisome word, yet all true
statesmen have 1t. Overman sees clear
ly enough. lie knows. approximately,
what Is to happen If the armies Of the
allies march through Inter den Linden
past empty palaces. The perspicacity
Of Weeks is equally good. ~
:. When the day OF peace breaks. and
1T Will be day and not a week, a
month or year." he said to the writer,
Great Britain will be prepared to act
promptly In the work of economic re-
adjustment. That country is ready
now to meet the great problems that
are to arise. This country is not. The
advantage in trade that we have gained
during the first years of the war will
be lost unless we move at once and
with intelligent energy.
Furthermore, grave internal contli-
tions will confront the people Of the
United States," Senator Weeks contin-
ued. The millions of Americans under
arms on land and water will return
to industrial occupations. Millions of
other Americans will cease to make
weapons OF warfare.
What can be done to provide these
millions with employment? And how
should the workers be distributed SO
as not to cause great overproduction
IN some lines Of industry? Overproduc-
ton means fall in prices, stagnation
ana closed places of business.
" +
Hundreds Of our largest manufac-
turing plants have been engaged ex-
clusively in war work. Scores of other
plants have been built for the produc-
ton of powder. cannon and SO on. Vast
sums of money have been spent for
machinery. What is to become Of
these plants and their machinery:
""Our merchant fleet at the end OF
in the world. How are we to use the
hundreds Of ships? They will be own
ed, In large part, by the government
of the United States.
"And our shipyards? What can we
do with them? There will be enough
of them in this country tosbuild all the
ships that will be needed by the world.
Shall we sell them, lease them or con-
tinue. to operate them as public enter.
prises? If the government Is to con-
tinue the building Of the ships. what
disposition can be made Of the new
ships so built?
T.. 1.-THE government Is now in control
Of tho railroads and of the property
of the telegraph and telephone COM
panies. Radical men will demand that
the government shall not relipquish
Its possession of the means of trans
portation and Of wire communication.
We ought to begin the work Of OBJ
tanning all the facts in the case SO
that we may act senstbly when the
time for decision is reached This
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