Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-07
Who V Responsible?

Who V Responsible?
It viii never be known in terms Of
dollars and cents the price America
has paid for the prolonged dickering
BY the peace conferees at Paris. But
that the insistence of the President
for his league of nations through a
period of four long months has
brought a tremendous burden upon
our industries is clearly evident. The
recent report of the National Associa-
ton of Manufacturers presents
facts. obtained from a canvass oN
400 representative establishments
throughout the United States, that
are startling. No political faint what
ever can attach to that report. The
association is merely interested in
presenting conditions as they are
found.
The industries questioned were di-
Nded into 90 principal groups. all but
five Of which reported business be.
tween % and so per cent of normal.
Those making a more encouraging
report are manufacturers Of lux
uries. such as jewelry, musical in
struments. automobiles, and tobacco.
The showing is admittedly pcssimis-
tic, and accentuates the failure Of the
last Democratic Congress TO pass any
sort of reconstruction legislation to
facilitate the resumption of normal
business by firms engaged on war
contracts. Not only are present con-
ditions in the trades poor. but the
future is far from bright. Many Of
the leading industries speak of their
prospects as from poor to fair" ac-
cording to the report.
Eleven reasons arc given by bust
ness men for the present stagnation.
Delay in the signing of the peace
treaty stands at the head of the list.
That obstacle is named by thousands
of industrial managers as the chief
impeachment to their speedy return TO
normal conditions. Among the other
reasons ascribed are continued gov
eminent operation Of railroads and
other utilities, sudden imposition Of
heavy war tax burdens. high prices Of
wheat due to government guarantee.
unemployment and poor distribution
Of labor forces released from military
and naval service, and delay In set
Element by the federal government
Of claims for payment under informal
war contracts. Let the reader run
over those items and see how direct
~ they may be charged to the in
capacity Of a Democratic Congress to
realize the vital needs Of business.
The report Of the National Associa-
ton Of Manufacturers emphasizes
the fact that the condition of the iron
and steel market is an unerring index
to trade conditions as a whole. The
replies received to the question
naiFe speak of that industry as being
In a state of lethargy." Lack of
buying on the part Of the railroads is
given as the reason. 1t might be
added that agitation Of government
ownership of the rails. coupled with
the refusal of Mr.. Wilson to reconvene
Congress to provide funds for their
maintenance is responsible for the
'1etharEy." 81 per cent of the iron
and steel manufacturers do not re-
gard prospects for 1919 az bright.
An overwhelming percentage of
those questioned were emphatically
opposed to continued government
ownership. 81 Of the &c principal in
dustrial groups vigorously regarding
themselves against it. Early return
Of the railroads to their private own
ers is advocated, and for other public
utilities q reasonable and limited
form Of government regulation is
suEgested.
Since the signing Of the armistice
buying has been strictly limited to
immediate needs. As consequence
stocks on hand are far below normal.
OF course that situation Is directly at
tributable to the procrastination at
Paris. every day Of delay there mean
ms = corresponding postponement Of
trade activity on this side Of the
water. It 10 q tremendous RESPONSE
bility that Mr.. Wilson has assumed in
continuing such a state of affairs here
while he urges his league over there,
and one for which he will be held to
"strict accountability"
Secretary Of Commerce RAdfaeld