New-York tribune., 1919-02-25
Bethlehem Steel President
Returns From France on
Olympic With Soldiers
Urges Beer for Workers
Fears Enforcement of Dry
Measure May Aggravate
the Spirit of Bolshevism


gency Fleet Corporation, came home
last night with nearly 5000 American
soldiers on the White Star liner Olym-
PIC. after brief visit to France.
On the run from Brest he shook the
hands of thousands Of white and negro
soldiers who had used those hands in
beating down the enemy on the West
ern front.
The boys-"your boys and my boys"
he described them-had many "close-
up talks with the steel maker during
the voyage. Mr.. Schwab visited every
quarter of the ship and spent many
hours with the returning fighters. He
sought their views of the war and the
industrial future Of this country, and
when ne came ashore last night he
said he would not have missed the
trip for millions in dividends.
Housewife Urged to Economic
When the Olympic was in mid-At-
lantic dinner was given by Captain
hayes to the saloon passengers Mr.
Schwab spoke briefly on the necessity
for economies in the future.
There is a great opportunity for
saving in the American home just
now he said, "and that must be done
by the American housewife. | would
call the attention of the American
wife and mother to the thrift of the
French housewife.
ut is matter of common knowl-
edge throughout France that that ma
tion had in normal times millions of
dollars to invest monthly in good Sc
curities. This condition was brought
about largely through the saving ten
dencies of the French woman. The
great economic 'problem confronting
America to-day is the economy of the
home. Americas greatest economic
advancement to-day is entrusted to the
women.
Il have certainly come back with q
sense of extreme satisfaction with the
broad ideals of my own country The
grand record of our officers and SOL
dlers gives me supreme satisfaction
Economic conditions in Germany
are bad. l am not familiar with con-
ditions as they exist in the heart of
the empire, but l know that the Ger
mans are putting up an exceedingly
bold front"
Give Workingman His Beer"
He did not say the proposed prohibi-
tion amendment had been a topic of
conversation between decks, but he de-
clared he was against prohibition and
was q devoted disciple of the doctrine,
"Give the workingman his beer"
81 don't drink myself" he said, ''but
am not in favor of prohibition The
people abroad won't believe the law
will ever become effective. When you
begin to prohibit things the people af-
fected are apt to resort to other meth
DDS to obtain what they want. The aver
age person throughout the world does
not like having his liberties interfered
with
With measure such az this pro
hibition amendment put into force we
are likely to aggravate spirit of
Bolshevism that exists in some classes
Of working people. I am against pro-
hibition, and believe the workingman
should have his beer
He said that the United States was
confronted by an era of great pros
perity
ultimately, of course, American
iron and steel will be vital to the
upbuilding of Europe" he said, "but
that is question for the future.
We shall need to keep our attention
fixed on our own development for
some time, and it will be an unusual
development, of that | feel certain.
4
ahead for US right here in our own
country. | hope that some method
can be found for the legal regula-
tion of all industry over the period
of transition.
While in France Mr.. Schwab had a
brief meeting with Marshal Foch,
whom he described as the most mod
est big man he had ever met.
Foch Gives Fighters Credit
"Thc marshal speaks little English" :"
he said. "and I speak less French, so
my visit was not prolonged one.
Foch very neatly avoids any reference
to himself as big factor in the big
gest of all wars, and instinctively
gives all the credit to the bone and
sinew that put his plans into execu-
ton. He said to me: Mr.. Schwab,
the whole army, all the armies of
the Allies, was like one great orches-
ira which followed accurately and
carefully the direction of the con-
ductor. I welded the baton, and they
all obeyed, and did WELL and like them
I was just part of the big orchestra +"
Mr.. Schwab said he was not sur
prised to learn by radio of the attempt
upon the life of tn. French Premier.
"Shortly before I left Paris" he
said. "I was talking with M. Clemen-
ceau's doctor and told him l thought
his charge would be attacked some
day.
Clemenceau American" Too
"He seemed surprised" said Mr..
Schwab, "and then I explained that
the Premier was so poorly protected
that it would be easy for some un-
balanced person to kill him. Clemen-
ceau is great man. I regard him as
being just as much an American as he
is a Frenchman.
The steelmaker said he went away
January l of this year on he George
Washington in the hope of getting a
better idea of conditions abroad with
the coming of peace. He crossed the
battlehelds made glorious by American
blood and was overjoyed to motor
along the banks of the Rhine and see
it held by American troops.
81 gather from those with whom I
talked in France" said Mr.. Schwab,
chat the President has won for him
self and the American people the es-
+oo,s, E,,rcnn To L,, H.. H. I -