Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-03

wait to be performed at our own
doors. While We are adjusting our
relations with tha rest OF the world
is 1t not>o capital importance that
we should clear away all grounds OF
Misunderstanding with our immedi-
ate neighbors and give proof Of the
friendship we really feel?
Touches on Colombia Treaty
/ hope that the members Of the
Senate will permit me to speak once
more OF the unratified treaty Of
friendship and adjustment with the
republic of Colombia. l very earn
estly urge upon them an early .and
favorable action upon that vital mat
ter I believe that they will feel.
now set for such action as will be
not only just but generous and in the
spirit Of the new age upon which we
have so happily entered.
People viii Quickly Adjust Them.
selves
So far as our domestic affairs are
concerned. the problem of our return
/ to peace Is q problem Of economic and
Industrial readjustment. That pro-
blem is less serious for US than it
may turn out to be for the nations
which have suffered the disarrange-
ments and the losses Of the war long
er than we. Our people, moreover,
are quick and resourceful at every
adjustment definite in purpose and
self reliant in action. Any leading
strings we might seek to put on them
would speedily become hopelessly
tangled because they would pay no
attention to them and go their own
way. All that we can do az their
legislative and executive servants IS
to mediate the process Of change
here, there. and elsewhere as we
may. I nave heard much counsel as
to the plans that should be formed
and personally conducted to a hap
DIV consumma ton. but from no
quarter have I seen any general
scheme of Reconstruction" emerge
which 1 thought it likely we could
force our spirited business men ana
self-reliant laborers to accept with
due piancy and obedience.
While the war lasted we set up
many agencies by which to direct the
industries of the country in the SER
vices it was necessary for them TO
render, by which to make sure OF an
abundant supply of the materials
needed, by which to check undertake
ings that could for the time be dis
pensed with and stimulate those that
II in,
which to gain for the purchasing de-
partments of the government q GER
tain control over the prices Of essen
tial articles and materials, by which
to restrain trade with alien enemies.
make the most of the available ship
ping and systemic financial transac-
lions, both public and private, SO that
there would be no unnecessary con-
f1ict or confusion--by which. il short.
to put every material energy of the
country in harness to draw. the COM
mon load and make Of us one team
in the accomplishment of 4 great
task. But the moment we knew the
armistice to have been signed, we
took the harness off. Raw materials
upon which the government mad kept
it's hands for fear there should not be
enough for the Industries that sup
piled the armies, have been released
and put into the general market
again. Great industrial plants whose
whole output and machinery had been
taken over for the uses of the gov
eminent have been set free to return
to the uses to which they were put
hof MT hoan
sitle to remove so readily or so quick
ly the. control Of foodstuffs and of
shipping because the world has still to
be fed from our granaries and the
ships are still needed to send sup
plies to our men overseas and to bring
the men back as fast as thesdisturbed
conditions on the other side of the
water permit: but even these re-
straints are being relaxed as much as
possible, more and more as the weeks
go by.
Praises Agencies and Heads
Never before have there been agen-
cies in existence in this country
which knew SO much of the field of
supply, - labor and OF industry as
Tie w dI lNuuSLtACS bOdIO, w
Trade Board. the Labor Department,
the Food Administration and the Fuel
Administration have known since the
labors become thoroughly system
atized; and they have not been is0-
lated agencies; they have been direct
ed by men which represented the per-
nannt departments of the govern
ment and. SO have been the centers of
unified and cooperative action. 1t
has been the policy of the executive
therefore. since the armistice was as
sured (Which is in effect complete
submission Of the enemy, to put tho
knowledge of those bodies at the dis
posal of the business men Of the coun-
try and to offer their intelligent me-
diation at every point and in every
matter where it was desired. 1t is
surprising how fast the process Of
return to a peace footing has moved
in the three weeks sonce the fighting
stopped. 1t promises to outrun any
inquiry that may be instituted and
any aid that may be offered. it will
not be easy to direct it any better
than it will direct itself. The Ameri-
can business man is Of quick initia-
tive.
Work Will Be Found for Returning
Troops
The ordinary and normal processes OF
private initiative will not. however.
provide immediate employment for all
of the men OF our returning armies.
Those who are OF trained capacity.