New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-10-12

hegarQleSS OF WueUuer uue pIts'
ent negotiations shall bring peace
or a renewal Of the conflict. it is
equally necessary that we put
over the Fourth Liberty Loan
drive. The money now called for
has been spent already. 1t is
needed to pay obliations incurred
to provide our boys on the fighting
line. But the work Of raising this
money is tagging sorely in Iberia
and it is necessary that the mat
ter and the attitude Of some 'oe
plainly put before the public with
a. view to awakening our people
to better efforts.
"A certain part Of the loan has
been allotted to Iberia to raise.
And please understand that no
other community can raise for
Iberia Parish, the amount re-
quired from us. Some other par
ishes may subscribe more than
they are allotted. That is to
their credit. But none of them
can do for Iberia that which IS
asked Of us. Likewise, to each
individual, in turn, was allotted
q specific sum as his respective
contribution. proportioned to the
ability of each to lend to the gov
ernment. Each is morally bound,
if he would deem himself d
patriot, to subscribe his allot-
ment.
True one may shirk and compel
others to take more than their
share, but this will simply en-
phasize shaking. and want of
patriotism of the shirker.
In the present drive. the COM
mittee finds that there is a MI
nority, confined to no one class
or occupation. which in their ef-
fort to stand from under, seem
to spend their time in devising
excuses why they should not do
stkaie part, even when asked 10
lend to their country. Some few
such men are found in almost
every line Of business or occupa-
ton. though few in comparison
they are sufficiently numerous to
materially affect the result. Be
sides, these examples discourages
the willing. Such are those. for
instance, who deny that they have
made money, when the Govern
ment statistics and a simple cal
cnlation, show the contrary.
Some, again, among those who
wish to acquire and pay for great
tracts Of land in year, out OF
war profits. Some using gov
ernmental agencies to fix a mini
mum wage scale or to enforce the
work, fight, or Jail law, and others
asking benefits. but who can find
excuses only when asked to do a
mans part in taking Liberty
Bonds. And even a few, if COM
mittees reports be correct, who
seek to hide in order to evade
their obligation to take the Bonds.
AS above stated. the absolute
slackers, are comparatively few.
There is a larger class, however,
who in subscribing, do not become
embued with the spirit Of doing
q patriotic act. but rather strive
to drive q bargain with the COM
mittee and squeeze them down to
amounts lower than they should
invest. This comes probably
from a failure to get the proper
view point, rather than an intent
to slack. Again, there are a few
Of the extravagant ones, who can
find money to indulge their per-
sonal ease, but not to aid their
commensurately. II
Let it always be understood
that none OF the foregoing
represents the sentiment Of our
people, nor Of the greater number
Df any calling. But it is regret
tably true that in the aggregate
there are enough Of them to
seriously embarras our work.
With the fact thus plainly pre-
sented to them that they are act
rally endangering the success of
he drive it is hoped that most Of
these will realize their duty and
will subscribe in fair amounts.
The Liberty Loan committee
meets. at this time, with yet
mother trouble. Those who have !
accepted appointments as mem ]
,ors of the working committees, !