Evening journal., 1918-11-22


than one-third OF the deaths in the
army are from casualties.
During the past four years we have
been destroying wealth and piling up
debts as a result OF the war.
"The war Is over. II will be a slow
process building for the future. A debt
OF ten billions OF dollars has been
spresd over the earth. There is no
maylc left 10 clear II, except the magic
Of labor applied 10 natural resources.
Industrial facilities have been worn out.
The problem OF reconstructing civiliza-
ton has been made more difilcult. ! do
not speak regretfully. The end glorifes
the sacrifice. Whstever as a people
we h ghly resolve 10 do that we can
do. We have already done the impos-
slble.
I'VE ought TO be able to transmit
wartime virtues into peace-time
virtues. We must Tight as valiantly for
better conditions OF life. for the least
OF US as we fought on the battle1elds
We must spread justice in commercial
relations-not philanthropy nor benev-
olence.
1T is a dispersed, diflcult task. No
one knows the answer TO the riddle. We
must work out the answer.
"We are on the point OF demobiliz-
ing war industry and sbsorbing II into
common Industrial pursuits. At the
same time we are going TO demobilize
our army OF 100000 young men, who
must find a point OF contact with civil
life and make a career in our common
life.
There are civilians who have fought
as valiantly as the soldiers In the war.
which involved US all. Those soldiers
and civilians who have made sacrifices
to save civiliation are entitled to have
civilization made worth the sacrifice.
was cheered immeasurably when the
President was unwilling 10 see the
standa ds Of labor lowered by reason
OF the war. Except In a few emergen-
cies Of the highest character this has
not been done. Rather. there has been
a distinct appreciation in the standards
Of work and life in this country.
"A Y. NJ. C. A. maS In France felt
that the boys were different than be-
fore they left America. He no longer
knew what they thought. He sskef.
them TO vote on what they considered
were the three cardinal sins. By unani-
nous choice. 'cowardice came first:
the vote was almost unanimous for
'selflshness," and there was a fair pre-
pondeTance OF votes for big head Il
showed a complete revolution in the
attitude Of youth toward life that did
not place intempe ance, profanity. etc
in the new category OF vices. II we
could take a vote in this country. prob
ably we would find it considered 2
cardinal sin not to buy a Liberty Bond
which means not to be for righteous
ness in this great emergency.
The things we are going TO do to-
morrow Will justify and glorify the
things we did yesterday. We should
have an unwillingness 10 b. conten
until the life OF America has been en-.
nobled and elevated enough 10 Justify
the great sacrifice we and other people.
have made.
Il myself am not likely to forge.
that challenge. Most Of us do not know
what the investment was In the wa
Tne casualty lists are sad enough. bur
realization comes 10 those who have
been on the fleld Of battle and watched
the dawn come to mark the lifeless
bodies on the hills.
ct is the place OF the Consumers
League and all agencies like IL 10 b,
on the watch tower TO see that there is
no abatement, but fresh progress. Those
OF us who have seen with our own eve,
the cost OF this war are not likely 10
regard the future lightly.
The rehabilitation OF Industry and
rehabilitation Of the army will bring
back the old questions, pressure iof war
debts, competition, ETC. There are othe
ways to compete than by depressing
the wage standard. We have learned
to save wisely, but we should moi
lower standards"
The Secretary OF War was applauded
for several minutes at the conclusion
Of his speech.
Mrs. Florence Kelley, secretary OF the
National Consumers League, who pre-
ceded Secretary Baker in addressing the
delegates and their friends. said:
at is a day OF rejoicing for the Ma
tional Consumers .Lesgue because We
have survived the war. The war is
over and we are still here. We have
elected Mr.. Baker as president for the
fourth time. The first time we had
no provision that he would be Secre.
tsry Of War.
Tonight he honors us for the third
time in addressing branch leagues In
which we have had annual meetings.