Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-29
Uhligine Industries For Var

striking and seasonable story is told by the
Manufacturers Record of two industrial concerns,
break of the European war both were offered con-
tracts for some twelve million dollars worth of
munitions Both strongly financed, we'll
equipped and easily capable of such readjustment
as the line of production required. One con-
Germ, however, declined the offer with scant con-
sideration, saying that it could wisdom in
disorganizing its business to take up even SO re-
markable an opportunity that presented. The
other concern grasped the profered contract
eagerly and, after necessary preparation, began
turning out the orders. Today it employs twenty
thousand persons at high wages, is steadily in
creasing its forces, steadily adding to the prosper
ity of its community well of itself, and is
playing a notable part in the winning of the
The other concern stands just about where it did
four years ago, when its payrolls and profits and
general Importance were approximately the same
as its progressive contemporaries.
The moral of the story is than ever i'm
pressive that nation is deep into the
war, straning every snew to produce victory-wn-
ming materials and implements. 1t is not argued
of course that industrial plants promiscuously
should be diverted from their established to
production without regard to public needs and
business security; does the government con-
template such thoughtless procedure, though it
certainly will press into commission plants it
may need. But as a matter both of enlightened
self-nterest and of practical patriotism, southern
industrial concerns that are adapted or adaptable
to war service should be prompt to volunteer. Oh
serving that the south has been rather slow in this
matter, the Manufacturers Record says:
While eastern and western manufacturers
had sufficient vision to see what war orders
meant and received the hearty cooperation of
local fnancers in carrying out such contracts,
the south, with a few exceptions, held aloof,
and neither its manufacturers its fnan-
ciers grabbed at the opportunity. Thus, the
north and the west have been push ed ahead in
dustrially and financially at enormous rate
almost beyond the comprehension of anyone
rot in constant touch with what these sections
doing
This is illustrated in another case in BaIti-
where manufacturing plant two years
ago had its payroll l, 90 men, and which
has its payroll 1O400 men. AS one
ira els from Baltimore through Delaware and
Jersey on to New England, and from Phila-
delphia New York out to Chicago, he can
but be amazed at tho tremendous expansion
of industrial interests during the last two or
rec years. Thu south is doing great
things but il slow to see the limitess Cp-
portunity, and its flnanciers and its manufac-
turers not alert they should have
been.
The War Industries Board, with its twelve
regional branches, for of which Atlanta is
headquarters, is particularly interested Just now
in mastering latent resources into the great tasks
with which it is concerned and in converting into
full-sinewed producers those plants which for any
reason have been curtailed in their output which
are engaged upon non-essential lines. Herein lie
opportunities of the richest promise. The govern
ment, il should be borne in mind, is eager utilize
every available industry. If it orders curtailment
in some fields of manufacturing, IT, stands ready
to for urgent needs virtually every plant thus
involved. Whether peace be near or far, work
continue for a long time to come. There is
no occasion for anxiety for the future any
excuse for Stacking now.