The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-02

over, do not wait to be coached and
led. They knew their own business,
are quick and resourceful at every
REIMBURSEMENT, definite in purpose and
self reliant in action.
ANY leading strings we might seek
to put them in would speedily be-
come hopefessly tangled because they
would pay no attention 10 them and
go their own way. All that we can
do as their legislative and executive
servants is to mediate the process of
change here, there and elsewhere as
we may. / have heard much counsel
to the plans that should be formed
and personally conducted to happy
consumma ton, but from no quarter
have / seen any general scheme OF
Reconstruction" emerge which !
thought 1t likely we could force our
spirited business men and self reliant
laborers TO accept with due pliancy
and obedience
Pulling the Common Load.
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 being
be dispensed with and stimulate
those that were most seryiceable in
war by which to gain for the pur-
chasing departments of the govern
ment a certain control over the
prices of essential articles and ma
Ierials by which to restrain trade
with alien enemies, make the most
Of the available shipping and sys-
rematfze financial transactions. both
public and private. so there be no
conflict or confusion by
which in short to put every material
energy of the country in harness to
draw the common load and make OF
as one team in the accomplishment
Of a great task. But the moment
we knew the armistice to have been
signed, we took the harness off. Raw
ma terials upon which the govern
ment had kept its hand for fear
there should not be enough for the
Industries that supplied the armies.
have been released and put into the
general market again. Great indus
trial plants whose output and ma
chinery had been taken over for the
uses of the government, have been
set free to return TO the uses to which
they were put before the war. 1t has
not been possible to remove SO read
lily or so quickly the control OF food
stuffs and of shipping because the
world has still to be fed from our
granaries and the ships are still
needed to send supplies to our men
overseas and to bring the men back
as fast as the disturbed conditions
on the other side of the water per-
nit; but even the restraints are
being relaxed as much as possible
and more and more as the weeks so
by.
Never before have there been
agencies in existence in this country
which knew SO much of the field Of
supplies. of labor, and of industry
rs the war Industries board, the war
trade board, the labor department,
the food administration and the fuel
have known since
their labors became thoroughly sys-
tematized; and they have not been
by men which represented
the permanent departments of the
governments and so have been the
CcHtSIS VI uuihcu anu Co-opcidtNS
action.
Fast Return to Peace.
1t has been the policy OF the execu-
tive, therefore, since the armistice
was assured (Which is in effect
complete submission of the enemy
to put the knowledge of those bodies
ct the disposal of the business men
Of the country and to offer their in
telligent mediation at every point
and in every matter where it was de-
sired. 1t is surprising how fast the
process of return to a peace footing
has moved in the three weeks since
the fighting stopped. 1t promises to
outrun any inquiry that may be in.
stituted and any aid that may be
offered. 1t will not be easy to direct
it any better than IT will direct itself.
The American business man is of
quick initiative. The ordinary and
normal processes of private initiative
will not, however, provide immediate
for all Of the men OF our
armies. Those who are OF
ed workmen, those who have ac-
quired familiarity with other bust
nesses. those who are ready and
whose aptitudes are known or will
be sought out by employers, will find
no difficulty. it is safe to say, in
finding place and employment. But
there will be others who will be at
a loss where to gain a livelihood
unless pains are taken to guide them
and put them In the way of work.
There will be large floating residi-
TN OF labor which should not be left
wholly to shift for itself. 1t seems
to me important, therefore. that the
OF public works of every
sort should be promptly resumed, in
order that opportunities should be
created for unskilled labor. in par
ticular, and that plans should be
made for such developments of our
unused lands and our natural re-
sources as we have hitherto lacked
stimulation to undertake
/ particularly direct your attention
IN tho very practical plans which the