Evening star., 1918-12-04


| tions as may bear directly upon COM
merce and industry? If such a group
would be useful great care would be
taken to select men having the larg-
est vision and the most generous I'M
pulses in connection with the resump-
ton of industrial activity throughout
the world
Mr. Wilson's Reply Given.
ITO this inquiry the following reply
was received:
"'You may be sure that would
send a message to the meeting at At
lantic City if I knew what message
time when we must all thoughtfully
take counsel and apply the Wlsest
action to circumstances as they arise.
81 am. of course. engrossed with
preparations for leaving for the other
side. I hope that you will extend my
warmest greetings to those who will
assemble at Atlantic City, :
In Dark as to Plan. ,
'1t may be that the President has
in mind, or has already selected an
advisory industrial commission with
whom the members Of the peace con-
ference may take counsel as occasion
arises, but upon this point his letter
is silent except in the broad statement
that we must all thoughtfully take
counsel and apply the: wisest action
to circumstances as they arise
"Since in questions ofaecoronic re-
construction other nations will un-
doubtedly be adequately Represented
with the most expert support That car3
be marshaled. it is for you to deter
mine whether you regard the matter
of sufficient Importance to advocate
the appointment Of a commission
whose continuous presence tn Paris
will provide like representation on be-
half of American industry"
Two Phases of Reconstruction.
Mr.. Wheeler spoke on two phases
of reconstruction and readjustment,
one dealing with international relations
AID the. other with internal affairs.
On the former phases he said that
failure to deal generously in the dis
tribution of raw materials VIII seri.
ously impede the Industrial restora-
tion of nations not fortunte ensugh to
possess basic materials of their own.
Should not the United States lead,
ternational plan for rationing basic
materials and stablizins their country
SO that the temptation to selfishly
profit by the original ownership and
control shall be replaced during the
period of reconstruction by broad
recognition of the needs Of all nations
to re-establish their production power
under as little restraint and as rapid
ly as the circumstances may permit?
Such plan of rattoning, he said,
is not a function Of the government
exclusive of the aid and counsel of
those expert in handling those COM
modities.
Up to Those Who Know.
Making the plan and carrying it
into effect should be left to those who
best know the processes OF prcduc-
ton and distribution. with such gov
ernment participation as may give
official sanction to the plan.
"The principle of economic boycott,
Mr.. Wheeler said, 'is neither polite
ally nor economically sound, nor Is
the principle of favored nation in
commercial treaties"
Speaking of the problems Of inter-
national adjustment. Mr.. Wheeler
said:
Tearing asunder the normal rela-
tionships Of business and compelling
suspension of activity in some in
stances to meet the emergency of, q
war program is properly function
of the government. with such acqui-
escence and aid as business may pro-
vide; but the task of making read
justments or rebuilding those same
industries into their old uses and eff
with such acquiescencef and aid. as
the government may provide.
"In SO far as war contracts are cor
cerned and the control of basic ma
terials that entered largely into war
production the government must
needs adopt a liberal program with
regard TO the cancellation of orders -
Secretary Redfleld Speaks.
IF it is permitted me to urge few
words Of practical advice to American
industries. I should say to them: Be-
ware of the temptation hastily to lay
rash hands upon wages" said Secre-
tary of Commerce Redfield in address
ing the congress- Concentrate
thought. purpose and effort on out
put" he advised.
Continuing. Mr.. Redfleld said: "Find
and seize hold upon all that science
has said or can say concerning indus.
try. 1t was largely because Germany
end of her sciences that her com.
merce grew SO fast and powerful in
the years before the great war. 1T
was more German science than Ger
man wages that made her competition
dangerous. The responsive power OF
sighted leadership in industry is the
greatest force In production and
happy are they who have 1t behind
them.
Shipping Is Big Factor.
Our near future foreign policy is
affected by another factor, namely
the capacity of the worlds shipping
I am amused a, little. ! will, con-
fess, at the able and honest gentle
men who press upon me that nov
and speedily we must do something
they rarely say what-to 30 amend
some laws that certain Things fDl
which they hope may. 6e aDAodily &C.