Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-23
AFTER THE WAR

TTNITED States Senator Reed
smOot is one of those AmerI-
can statesmen who is looking
ahead to the period that will fol-
low the war. He doesn't believe in
waiting until other nations shall
have corralled the trade of the world
before starting something that will
be of benefit to the United States.
In an earnest and practical dis
cussion OF the conditions which are
PERTAIN to ensue with the close of
hostilities Senator Smoot declared
that he would like to see our gov
ernment pass laws to-day to take
care of the situation we all know
VIII come when thousands and mill
lions of men will return from war
seeking employment
What are we providing by way
Of legislation" inquired Senator
smoot that will take care of the
great industries and businesses of
this country after the close of the
war? We have not even COM
mission to examine into what
changes will take place in the re-
construction. England has, France
has. Italy has, Germany has. They
are studying the future from every
standpoint. The war will not have
closed thirty days before the English
chips and the German ships and the
French ships will be plowing the
seas for materials for the purpese
of manufacturing goods with a view
to controlling the commerce of the
world, or as much of it as possible.
a program is being mapped out for
the immediate conversion of plants
manufacturing munitions of war to
factories to manufacture goods re-
quired in times of peace. We are
doing nothing. and if something is
not done along the line of prepara-
tion, just as surely as We live there
will be millions of men walking the
streets of this country without en-
ployment."
This is precisely the thought that
is engaging the attention of thou
sands of practical common-sense
citizens, who are less concerned with
theories than they are with hard
facts with which the country will
be confronted at the close of the war.
Winning the war is. or course. the
chief business of the nation at the
present time, but when other belli-
gerents whose interests are no great
er--nor so great-are preparing
for the future it is absurd for the
people. of the United States to 90 or
dreaming Of a solution without any
plan or any definite purpose to meet
the inevitable situation.
England and France particularly
have been engaged in the study of
the after-war problems for more
than year. and with the cessation
of warfare these countries will be
in position to Immediately put into
effect the plans which are now being
matured.
Even Germany with its commerce
and trade and industry shot to
pieces in many directions, Is now
formulating plans for a thorough
reorganization of its manufacturing
and commercial activities.
Surely this country has had
enough in the way of practical DEM
onstration of the evils of non-pre-
paredness for war and it ought not
TO be necessary to urge upon the
government the obvious necessity
of at once arranging for the protec-
ton of the great interests which
concern not only our business and
commercial and Industrial organ
fzations. but millions of our work
ing people. If we must plunge into
a commercial struggle at the end of
the war. when the competition will
be keener than ever before, let us
be prepared in some substantial way
for our part in that struggle.
Some one has suggested that there
should be great day set aside to In