Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-22
PEOPLE OF AMERICA
At ONE WITH ALLIES
British Labor NJ. r. Receives I'M
preston OF Energy and Enthu-
SiaSm on American Tour.
PRAISES OUR WAR EFFORTS
Charles Duncan Tells OF Swamp
Transformed Into Shipyard-We
Arc Ready for Sacriffcc-Indus.
trial Help Not Enough.
by CHARLES DUNCAN. NJ. II.
international News Burcau.l


months visit TO tho United States as
one OF the members OF tho British
labor mission. invited by the American
Defense Council TO meet the leading
industrialists in all the great cities Of
tho States. describes in tho following
article his Impressions Of America at
war
LONDON. July AL return from the
United States vastly moro confident
than l was the day I left England's
shores To set out upon my mission. for
| bring with me the certain knowl-
edge that both tho gods and the goods
are OH our side. Inspired by the mag
niiiccntly practical war-winnins en-
thusiasm to be found in every corner
of tho States. come back fortified
against any dark days which may be
in store for us. My one fear is that
i may not find words strong enough
to convey to the minds of those whose
duty keeps them here at home an
adequate impression or the enormous
war-winning effort the people OF the
United States are making to-day. and
OF the spirit IF indomitable tcnacity
which will certainly keep them TO thei!
task Till complete victory has been
won.
My Impressions have been gained.
or from the individual attitude OF a
man here and there. as they have been
from the whole people-rank and file
themselves. Never bfore had l known
such enthusiasm as that which per-
vaded every meeting we addressed in
practically every corner OF the United
States-an enthusiasm which refused
anything less than tho prosecution OF
the war until the Germans have been
beaten militarily. utterly and com
plcteiy. The whole of the people from
New York To San Francisco are heart
and soul with Great Britain and the
allies. and II is amazing TO see tho
enormous amount OF industrial energy
they are cNerting to render whichever
assistance We. the French or the Bel
gians may ask OF them.
They are not satisfied merely with
industrial efforts. for quite clearly they
realize that this is war 10 he won
only by great armies. Accordingly.
they have set themselves the task of
raising the greatest army the world
has ever seen, and from what l myself
saw there and everywhere. they Will
not be very slo"- in achieving their
aim Make no mistske-they do not
underestimate their JOB Very fully
they realize it's difficult, and readily
they will ADM. that at first sight It
may appear impossible. During the
las three months, however, | have
come TO l-arn that 10 an American the
apparent impossibllity OF task is
merely an added incentive to hasten its
achievement. Tell an American a thing
Is impossible. and he promptly pro-
ceeds TO get down TO business. The one
thing he does dislike is an easy job.
SWAMP TO sHIrlARD IN
LESS THAN SIX MONTHS
A good idea OF the Industrial hustle
these wonderful people arc making |
gained when l was shown over a ship
building yard. which less than six
months before had been n useless
swamp. Here l saw 5000 men en-
ployed at building wooden ships, seven
of which were on the stocks and three
others in the water In those few
months these lnagicians OF organization
had converted = swamp into one OF the
worlds finest shipyards. and had
stocked It with machinery and supplies
sufficient to insure worlds record
monthly output OF large wooden yes
sells, all Of wl III are thoroughly we'll
built and exceedingly strong. In and
about the yards they have collected
timber enough. 1t seems TO me. to build
ships for the whole world
This Industrial energy Is remark
able. individually as we'll as collec-
lively. Not a single American worker
did I meet who did not express an
ardent desire t offer personal sacri-
flee on behalf of the allies. You over
there have done so much; I want to do
just as much as there is in me. and
little more" was the usual expression.
They are following the present great
battle with the closest possible in
terest. and their admiration for the
lighting quality OF our arm, is un-
bounded. Every one constantly spoke.
not only OF the sacrifice. but OF the
pluck and valor OF the British army.
and they spoke, too. in sympathy with
the spirit Of the civilians behind that
army. Accordingly. they gladly under
so any self-sacriflces which Will
lighter the loads on the backs Of their
allies. Not once did I hear a single
grumblc regarding their meatless,
wheatless and heatless days, which
have been impos i upon them despite
the fact that America herself could
never fear starvation.
or the mems. leaders. I would say
that it has been one the greatest
pleasure Of my life to meet Sam
uei Compass and the councillors of
the American Federation Of Labor. 1t
was a breath Of new life to meet them.
Live and able men that they arc. they
waste not single thought On peace
hy pnCotjatiop--a pOlicy which in any