Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-09

the business of interstate shipment
and in the methods of corporations
which are engaged in it; but for the
moment l conhne my recommended
tons to the object Immediately in
hand, which is to lower the cost of
living.
May not add that there is a bill
now pending before the congress
which, if passed, would do much to
stop speculation and to prevent the
fraudulent methods of promotion
by which our people are annually
feeced of many millions of hard
earned money. | refer to the meas
ure proposed by the capital issues
committee for the control of secur-
ity issues. 1t is a measure fornlu-
lated by men who know the actual
conditions of business, and its adop-
ton would serve great and bene-
ficent purpose.
Proceed with Confidence.
We are dealing, gentlemen of the
congress, l need hardly say, with
very critical and very difficult mat
tiers. We should go forward with
confidence along the road we see,
but We should also seek to compre-
herd the whole of the scene amidst
which we act. There is no ground
for some of the fearful forecasts |
hear uttered about me, but the con-
dition of the world is unquestiona-
bly, very grave, and we should face
it comprehendingly. The situation
OF our own country is exceptionally
fortunate. We, of all peoples, can
afford to keep our heads and to de-
termine upon moderate and sensible
courses of action which will insure
us against the passions and distem-
pers which are working such deep
unhappiness for some of the dis
treSsed nations on the other side
of the sea. But we may be involved
in their distresses unless we help,
and help with energy and intelli-
gence.
The world must pay for the ap-
palling destruction wrought by the
great war and we are part of the
world. We must pay our share.
For FIVE years now the industry of
all Europe has been slack and dis
ordered. The normal crops have
not been produced; the normal
quantity of manufactured goods has
not been turned out. Not until
there are the usual crops and the
usual production of manufactured
goods on the other side of the At
lantic can Europe return to the
former conditions; and it was upon
the former conditions, not the pres
emit, that our economic relations with
Europe were built up. We must
face the fact that unless we help
Europe to get back to her normal
life and production a chaos will
ensue there which will inevitably be
communicated to this country.
Must Quicken Production.
For the present, it is manifest,
we must quicken, not slacken our
own production. We, and we almost
alone, now hold the world steady.
Upon our steadfastness and self
possession depend the affairs of ma
tons everywhere. 1t is in this ST.
preme crisis-this crisis for all
mankind-that America must prove
her mettle. In the presence of a
world confused, distracted, she
must show herself self-possessed,
self-contained, capable of sober and
effective action. 1t saved Europe
by its action in arms; it must now
save it by its action in peace. In
saving Europe it will save itself as
it did upon the battlehelds of the
war. The calmness and capacity
with which it deals with and mas
tiers the problems of peace. will be
the final test and proof OF its place
among the peoples of the world.
And, if only in our own interest,
we must help the people overseas
Europe is our biggest customer. We
must keep it going or thousands
of our shops and scores of our mines
must close. There is no such thing
as letting it go to ruin without
ourselves sharing in the disaster.
In such circumstances, face to face
with such tests, passion must be dis
carded. Passion and disregard for
the rights of others have no place in
the counsels of free people. We
need light, not heat, in these solemn
times of self-determination and saw
ing action. There must be no
threats. Let there be only intelli-
gent counsel and let the best reasons
win, not the strongest brute force.
The world has just destroyed the
arbitrary force of military junta.
1t will live under no other. All that
is arbitrary and coercive is in the dis
card. Those who seek to employ it
only prepare their own destruction.
Self-Control Present.
We cannot hastily and over
night revolutionize all the processes
Of our economic life. We shall not
attempt to do so. These are days !
of deep excitement and of extrava-
giant speech, but with us these are
things of the surface. Everyone
who is in real touch with the silent
masses of our great people knows
that the old strong fiber and steady |
self-control are still there, firm
against violence or any distempered
action that would throw their affairs
into confusion. I am serenely con-
fdent that they will readily find
themselves no matter what the cir
cumstances, and that they will ad-
dress themselves to the tasks of
peace with the same devotion and
the same stalwart preference for
what is right that they displayed to
the admiration of the whole world
in the midst of the war.
And l enter , another confident
hope. 1 have spoken today chiefly i
of measures of imperative regulation