Evening journal., 1919-08-19
POSTWAR THRIFT.

THAT the United states Government inaugurae at once
an intensive thrift campaign such conducted
during the war, In order that production may be IN
creased, is urged in statement issued by s w straus,
president OF the American Society for Thrift
It should appeal to Delawareans Mr. straus says that
the great lesson for all Americans TO learn today that
it is Just as patriotic to be thrifty in peace times II
in times Fundamental needs call for renaissance
of patriotic thrift in order that production may be ip-
creased and the depleted supplies Of wealth repenished
and If our government viii nauguate intensive educa
tonal campaign against all forms OF waste It will find the
people ready to respond with The most loyal patriotism
marked reaction from our popular wartime thrift
practices has developed he asserts majority Of the
people earning higher salaries than before
and they are spending and wasting accordingly This
includes both material resources and time with the
result that production which should be increased TO
the utmost is tagging and The visible wealth Of the
try is not being replenshed with sufficient rapidty
few years ago wheat sold at a 800 bushel or even
less and other commodities proportionalely low.
There was at that time over-suppy Of commodities In
relation TO the supply OF money To-day the is
true and we have an oyersuppy Of money in relation to
the supply Of commodities. Legal tender I'm 1918
1903 per cent Of the amount of money hand in 1914
and the gold in this country 1927 per cent. Of the
amount hand five years Statistics reveal that the
increase Of in relation TO commodities in the
world during the last four years greater than that
which occurred during the entire Eighteenth and Nine
teenth centuries
What is necessary restore the economic balance Is
to build up depleted supplies Of material wealth aud
capital through the elimination Of waste OF all kinds. The
rich, well the poor must practice thrift. Even
though the Of wealth may be able from a monetary
viewpoint 10 indulge in wastcu habits he has moral
right do because whatever he wastes dcpecs the
supply Of commodities and uses up labor that should be
employed in useful ways Those who wealthy also
must remember that their indulgence in needless uXures
false standards Of living and sets unwholesomo
example for others who strive to initiate them.
The practice Of thrift as here suggested does not
mean the boarding Of money, but The conserving Of pro-
ducts that money buys-th constructive thrift which
will keep the wheels Of industry turning, keep all our
people employed and do away with an waste We are in
the midst Of great national prosperity. and there is
fundamental why these conditions should not
tnue indefinitely. While there evidences OF grave
social unrest these conditions will result in any
manifestations long people kept at work
We living in a age Theres insistent and
rghtfu demand for better homes. better environment
better sanitary conditions and broader opportunities for
travel recreation study and self-mprovement Inevitably
these conditions mean advanced prices
Through the processes Of mental stabnizaon we
must adjust ourselves 10 permanent conditions
Of high wages and high prices compared with former
levels" Mr. Straus adds We must judge The future by
the standards Of the future not by the standards Of the
past II viii be possible to keep prices at their present
levels only through the practices of thrift which will
augment our supplies Of wealth and unless waste is
eliminated and production Increased the cost Of living
viii mount steadily higher from present price ranges.
Therefore nationwide thrift campaisn emanating from
Washington viii prove the most effective and lasting
Of the present economic and socal problems Of
our peope"