Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-22

have consumer more wool tnan neces-
sary and thereby forced the United
States to import q correspondingly
large quantity Of this article; I have
consumed more cotton goods than nec-
essary and to that extent have de-
prived Uncle Sam Of the means with
which to pay for the minimum of wool
which we may have to Import.
Clothing but One Of Many.
have used the illustration of new
suit of clothes; 1t would be easy,
though somewhat tedious, to show that
we have been dealing only with one
case in point. The country is short
at this time Of hides and skins and
has to import large quantities from
neutral countries because we are ex-
travagant in our individual purchases
OF shoes. Similarly, though we are the
largest producers Of copper, we are
forced to import copper from Peru be-
cause or civilian population has not
begun sufficiently to curtail its use.
In like manner we might ask ourselves
is 1t at all excusable that at this time
we still manufacture such articles as
silk stockings. when every thread Of
silk must be imported, while we could
use our own cotton1
1t Is impossible and unnecessary to
enumerate the many articles that are
In a similar position. Many billions
of dollars can easily be SAVED when
once we are capable Of realizing the
cumulative effect Of individual "sav-
Ing" take the word Saving" in ito
larger meaning. 40 involving not only
money, but also goods and services.
1t every individual could be made to
see with his own eyes that neglect Of
saving of this sort means decreased
war efficiency. prolongation of the
war. and larger number Of casual
ties; II every one who has a son or
dear relative on the fighting lines
across the water could be made to feel
that millions Of small savings directly
affect his boy-there would be no
doubt that we could secure the most
conscientious and enthusiastic coop.
Grafton Of all the people. Thus far
we must say with regret-of los, OOO,-
600 people. 100,O0O.O00 do not see the
connection between the suit Of clothes
and the life of the boy.
Germany's Enforced Economy.
Germany's military success 10 large
" predicated upon her ability to GEN.
ter the entire national effort upon the
business of war. 1t 10 safe to say that
she never would have been able to
bear the burdens Of the fight as well
as she has during these four long
years had 1t not been for the enforced
savings in material. money and men
brought about through the British
blockade. II 1t had not been for the
stern necessities created by that block
ade the German people would not have
been willing to submit to famine ra-
tons as to food. clothes, shoes and
other similar articles. Industries ca
tering to the appetites and e1travu.
gances of the masses would have kept
men and material from the government
instead of making everything available
for the war work of the government
and financially she would have ex-
hausted herself by buying things
abroad that she could 60 without or
Tor which she had to strain her in
genuity in finding or creating substi-
tutes.
1t is difficult to bring about drastic
ecOnomv without the counulstnn Az
ercised by hard necessity. For NJ the
problem Is whether or not, Of our own
free will. we shall be able to estab-
lish our own voluntary blockade
against waste and extravagance. II IL
problem whose solution requires the
greatest intelligence and the greatest
degree Of unselfish patriotism. It is q
problem that will put the spirit Of our
people to the seversst test.
The government IL not devoid Of
means of promoting economy. The
war Industries board, the food and
fuel administrations. the capital issues
committee, the department Of labor
and department Of agriculture all move
In the same direction of increasing
necessary production and decreasing
unnecessary consumption.
Full success. however. may be count
ed upon only II the whols-heartsd co.
operation Of every citizen Of the United
States can 10 salistsl
FAILS TO REMOVE HIS HAT