New-York tribune., 1918-10-06

Reading that a famous shrine of
the sybarites is in trouble because
its patrons have all at once discov-
cans knew before-namely that
sweet cider is superior to cham
pagne and that fancy sauces are
non-essential in war time-one is
likely to jump to the conclusion that
the people are at last economizing
as they should and must if the goods
and services required for war are
to be provided But that, unfortu-
nately, is not the case. 1t is true
that many persons, and particularly
those who have always been able to
indulge in the luxuries, are saving,
and saving hard. But it is probably
true, also, that the total civilian
consumption of goods is almost if
rot quite as large as it was before
the United States entered the war
AID that in many places, particular
ly the rural districts and industrial
centres, the only important check
to consumption is that administered
by inability of merchants to obtain
supplies. The situation is clearly
outlined by Frank o. Wetmore,
president of the First National Bank
of Chicago, in an interview with
our financial correspondent in that
city.
"The continuous preachments on
economy by speakers, through the
newspapers and in every other way
possible" says Mr.. Wetmore, "are
having some effect in certain lines,
but l do not believe that they are
being followed as extensively as is
desired by the government. People
who are well-to-do or wealthy-who
have been accustomed to indulging
themselves in every kind Of luxury
are economizing, and this is hav-
ing a good effect in diverting money
and goods to government channels.
This class is denying itself the
things it always had.
'But there is another class, con-
sisting of expert mechanical worl.-
crs and industrial people generally
(Mr. Wetmore might have added,
also, the farmers), who are making
big money, far in excess of anything
many of them ever dreamed of
This has caused unusually large ex-
penditures-not wild, reckless
throwing away of money, but a gen.
eral indulgence in the things that
these people were unable ever to
buy before. Personally, when |
was a young fellow with no extra
money, my ambition was to indulge
myself in clean shirt every day.
Nearly everybody at one time or an
other has down in his or her heart
desired to possess some one thing
that could be bought with money.
With many it has been a fad or life
dream to have some one particular
thing, or maybe several particular
things, but the money has perhaps
never been available for the pur-
pose. The big wages paid at this
time have enabled many Of these
people to crafty that life ambition
and to indulge in certain little lux
uries-it may be piano, a talking
machine or most likely piece of
jewelry, and 7 think investigation
would show that many lines of bust
ness are flourishing I know the
iewelry business is fourishing, for
the reason stated"
Normally there would be no Sc
rlous objection to expenditures of
this character, for only the individ-
\ ual would be concerned. But thrift,
while merely a virtue in peace, is in
war time hard national necessity
Only by practising it as never be-
fore can the labor and materials es-
sential to victory be made available.
Instead of an abnormal standard of
living, there must be subnormal
standard for civilians, in order that
the soldier may lack nothing. Ex-
hortation has not sufficed to bring
this home to the people. And time
presses. Regulation of consumption
in one form or another must be ef-
fected if the proceeds of Liberty
loans and tax imposts are to COM
mand the goods that are needed.