Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-14
CONFIDENT OPTIMISM
IS IN THE SADDLE
The Same Spirit Which Won The War Will
Solve All the Problems in the Re.
snmpiion Of the Works Of Peace

WHEN the prlOrltleS board anu the
w fuel administration modified the
regulations that have held up industry
they opened the way TO the ea7ly re-
sumption of normal peace-time activity.
Industries whose supply Of coal has been
curtaled may now get what they need.
Industries which were compelled to cut
down normal production by 80 per cent
may run at - per cent of their usual
capacity. This includes the makers Of
automobiles and farming tools. All
limitations on the production Of building
material are removed.
1t is expected that befo,e many
months if not before many weeks, every
form of governmental interference with
the freedom Of business will have been
abandoned.
1t is also expected that the stoppage
of work in war industries will hc gradual
in order that the men released may have
no difficulty in finding work in other
industries. Every business man who has
expressed himself ON the subject is CON
tidcnt that there will be such demand
for labor that there will he 4 iob for
every muition worker released.
Secretary Bake has announced that
che armies will be demObilized with an
eye upon the industrial uceds Of the
country. 40 vast body of mrll will be
tanned loose to seek jobs in Industries
rot yet in a condition to employ them.
Everything that has thus far been done
and said by those in authority indicates
that the Government appreciates its re
possibilities and will do its Utmost to
mako the transition from a war to a
peace footing as easy as possible for all
concerned.
In view Of all this it Is morally certain
that We are at the dawn Of an era Of
great industrial prosperity. The produc-
ton of the commodities Of peace has
been curtailed to such an extent that
warehouses are empty. The demand for
them is as great as ever. Within a few
months every manufacturer will find it
difficult to fill his orders. Wages will
continue to be good and, unfortunately,
prices are likely to continue high. But
high wages will balance high prices save
TO the saared man and woman.
The primacy which the Philadelphia
district has held in the production Of war
material will give place to the old
primacy Of the district in the production
of other commodities. The man who is
not bull onsPhiladelphia enterprises at
this time is a hopeless pcSsimist blind to
all the signs Of progress and prosperity.
The resumption of public works is as
certain as tho resumption of private in
dustry, freed from restrictions The
capital issues committee must in the near
future 90 out of business. 1t will end by
law within six months after the end Of
the war. If conditions Justify it will
cease to function long before that time,
and every municipality and every private
business man may go into the open
market for what money he needs.
Early resumption of work on the sub
way system is therefore in sight. The
completion Of the Frankford elevated
line need no longer be delayed. Work on
the Free Library and tire Convention
Hall can be prosecuted with such speed
as economy and efficiency demand. The
streets needing Improvements may be
paved, the water system may be eX-
tended. new sewers may be built-and the
completion Of the port development, with
its new pies to accommodate ocean ship
ping. may be rushed.
Croakcrs and pullbacks would better
keep in hiding for the next \year. No
one will listen to them. We shall all be
too busy building for the future to have
time for anything else. We all know that
the wealth which the world has been
destroying for the last four years must
be remade and that new wealth for new
needs must be created. We all know that
the same kind Of energy which has been
devoted TO winning the war is able to
win greater material triumphs in con-
struction and reconstruction. Confidence
and optimism are in the saddle today
And they will win the race.
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