The Washington herald., 1918-07-06
PLEAD PEACE
PREPAREDNESS
State Legislatures Getting
Ready for Conditions
Says Holland.

Louisiana. Alabama, Missouri and
Ohio. are now taking steps for the
perfecting Of state and national sgi-
tation whereby the country may be
prepared to meet the conditions which
viii arise after the war in Europe is
ended. Minnesota Is also doing this,
although agitation In that State viii
be largely confined to securing in
crease in agricultural production.
Massachusetts, and Connecticut are
now so busily occupied in the manu-
facture of munitions of war that their
leaders in industries seem not yet to
find the time to give serious con-
sideration to conditions which will
arise after the war. These business
men of New England. however, are
sure to unite hereafter cordially with
citizens In other parts of the country
the country for the opportunities and
responsibilities which will be set upon
US after the war is ended.
Possibly the leader in agitation of
this kind or in an attempt wisely to
direct the agitation is louisiana That
State has by concurrent resolutions
adopted a few days ago given official
: sanction to this agitation and under
taking. The Louisiana legislature IN
effect says that after the war is
ended there will come a period OF
great trade expansion and intense
competition In overseas trade. and for
this. reason excellent knowledge OF
overseas conditions. high training for
overseas service. and intensive co-op-
Grafton between competent govern
ment agencies and business men will
be. NOT only necessary but of inesti-
Hlable benefit.
Frnnee and England Start.
To this opinion the Louisiana Iegis-
latuTe commits itself by formal Teso-
luton But the legislature goes far
ther. Perhaps inspired by the very
efficient New Orleans Association OF
Commerce the legislators of louisiana
assert that our foreign competitors
have In the past possessed such
knowledge. training and cooperation
as have enabled them to gain great
advantage over American business
men who have been seeking world
trade. Furthermore Louisiana recog-
Rizes that even in these war days
France and England. especially Eng
land. are preparing to meet the condi-
tons which will arise after the war
and do II in such manner as will give
them superiority so far as foreign
markets are concerned
By unanimous vote. the legislature
Of louisiana suggests, first of all.
that there should be at this time the
greatest possible measure of efficiency
in Federal trade expansion work. In
order to bring about this efficiency
n
a most liberal manner the develop
ment and expansion of the Depart
ment of Commerce and to make ade-
quate appropriations for the use of
this department in maintaining and
increasing the foreign trade of the
United States.
Every legislative body in the
United States will, when it has been
assembled. be requested by LOuisi-
ana to adopt similar resolutions. The
New Orleans Association OF Com
merce will in an urgent but dignified
way ask the governor of each State
in the Union to recommend to his
legislative body that il take action
similar to that which has been taken
by the Louisiana legislature. Should
this be done. as it undoubtedly will
be, then a most influential express
sion Of public opinion. formally and
Officislly set forth. will be placed be-
. fore Congress, and this should serve
TO Influence Congress in adopting leg
islatiOn whereby the Department of
Commerce can, as Secretary Redfield
earnestly desires. do everything pos
sible not only to maintain American
overseas trade but greatly to increase
il.
u. :. Power for Finance.
The United States. it is now
acknowledged. will be for some time
after the war in Europe Is ended the
world power so far as international
financing is concerned. Our allies
will be our debtors by many billions
of dollars
Part of this Indebtedness no doubt
will be met by our purchase
of raw material and other commodi-
ties produced in foreign lands, but
there is no doubt that a great deal
OF it. must be IiQuidated by actual
money. This. IL our manufacturers
are prepared for the opportunities
which will open., should greatly
serve the United States in obtaining
and maintaining a fair proportion.
perhaps great share. of the
worlds commerce which will be de-
veloped upon an enormous scale
after the European war is ended.
In the main office OF one of the
great corporations of the United
states there hangs conspicuously