Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-08-10

gun. going in the direction of tho
Germans. While the long roll OF
killed and wounded Is being called
with its hcartachos and heavy signs
for gricving families. relatives and
friends, the feeling against tho citi-
zen in black has suddenly given way
TO admiration for this same class OF
people. We are impressed with the
warning OF Hon. Barnard Baruch,
chairman Of tho War Industries
Board: He virtually announces the
suspension of constitutional guaran-
tees and proclaims Il government Of
pure socialism.
Certainly, if the white folks can
stand it, we can do the same thing.
He says:
"Up to this time. no man nor woman
has lacked for anything because Of
war conditions. 1t will be otherwise
i'll the future"
lie might have added that you did
money enough with which TO pur-
chase it. We doubt though if even
this is the whole truth, for we have
seen the time when we could not buy
sugar. lie is quoted further;
Just what the now war program Is
to be, we are not yet sure, but it in
wolves tremendous expansion over
anything we have considered up to
this time. The increased size of the
army means Il shortage of production.
Millions of men will be taken from
productive activities into the army.
Their places cannot all be filled by
skilled workers, and there must be Il
period during which the industrial
substitutes are learning their duties
and acquiring skill"
This is the truth, the whole truth,
ana nothing but the truth. He is
quoted further:
"rhcn the demands OF the military
establishment for supplies arc incrcas
ing even faster than is its personnel.
No one has any idea OF the increased
demand for military supplies unless
he can check up on the flow OF rcuui.
sit;ons and estimates from tao gov.
crnmcnt through his department.. And
;hc problem is not alone one of fuel
and steel for ordnance and ships; it
includes clothing, shoes, foodstuifs
everything that man is accustomed TO
utilize Tor his comfort and living.
Civilian requirements and the non
essential industries must yield to tho
needs of the military establishment.
There is but one important thing be-
fore us-to win this war "
This is socialism and Prussianism
Dat who will say that it is not neces-
sary in order to win this war? 1t
may be necessary, even IL VIC lose ii.
1t is drastic language, but he be.
comes most drastic in his statements.
He is quoted further: .
81 should not hesitate to take any
thing any one might have for his own
advantage, If the taking would benefit
The whole Of society and help win this
war. Every mans life is at the call
of the nation, and SO must be every
mans property"
Are these u,tcranccs inspired?
Ar" thcy authorized by tho Chior EN-
ccutivc Of The nation? If they are
then the Legislative and the judicial
branches OF the government must
cease functioning for the period o.
tho war, for the reason that property
interests and personal rights and
privileges will have been absorbed ,
and Communicated by the executive
department o: the Government He
is quoted further:
1--WE are living to-day in highly
organized state Of socialism. The
state is all; the individual is OF inn
portancc only as he con r!butes to the
welfare of the state His property is
his only as the state does not need it.
He must hold his life and his DOS.
sessions at the call OF tho state"
For whom does Chairman Baruch
speak? Is there any power other
than that OF the President of the
United States authorized to go so far
in a delivcrance upon such an i'm
portant subject, and would hex do it
without consulting the Attorney Con
cral OF the United States? The peo-
pie are willing to yield up their all
to save the government /!
When will such course be neces-
sary? Chairman Baruch seems to
take 4 gloomy view Of the situation.
The recent drive by the Allies seems
20 have aroused pessimism in him
rather than optimism. Arc we on
the verge Of defeat? If not, why talk
about the necessity Of such sacri -.
fees? IS he preparing us for the
or b,t