The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-23
For the~GOOd of
the Community

ssT'HE gospel of work and production
is really more important today
than it was during the war;" says the Man
ufactrers' Record of Baltimore. "Then
men were quickened by the living reality
of war. Today they must be Quickened
by getting new realization that the war
is still on in that broader battle of civiliza-
ton against anarchy, of well-fed world
against starving world, and except
through work and increased efficiency of
man and machinery no solvent of the
worlds problems can be devised by any
human agency.
In this day of unrest, of discomfort,
there seems to be disposition on the part
of large element of the American peo-
pie to suspend work until matters are adj
justed to their liking. When they cease
work, production also ceases. Consump-
ton, however, goes on IN ever-lncreaslng
proportions and withincreased consump-
ton and decreased production higher
prices are bound to prevail.
Stopping the wheels of industry, or the
implements of agriculture, can never
bring about that happy condition ofplenty
and contentment all so devoutly wish for.
UNLESS the people of this country and
of Europe enter fully into the spirit of re-
construction work physically, mentally,
normally, spiritually and socially" says
The Manufacturers Record, 1T is entire
ly possible that the world might face a
condition far worse than that of the five
years battle. We must remember that we
are still bearing the burden of war, still
trying to pay it's cost, and this means that
Qorfh ct
one way or another share in carrying its
burden. Unless the people of this coun-
try and of Europe recognize that they
must sacrifice personal feeling and COM
fort, and perhaps sacrifice many precon-
ceived notions, we shall fail to solve the
economic and social problems before us.
Not only does cessation of work reduce
production, but, hardly without excep-
ton, it brings trouble and deprivation of
needed things to many that are not di-
rectly involved in the line of work sus-
pended The tieing up OF one railway
SYSTEM for instance, affects the normal
supplies of every community dependent
upon it for transportation. From the larg-
est city to the smallest hamlet and the ru-
raj community is effected, is compelled to
undergo some suffering or Inconvenience.
And in most instances the suspension of
work gains nothing for those concerned.
It always means loss to those directly in
terested and loss to the whole commu-
nifty.
Were the farmers to combine and agree
not to produce any wheat for one year it
might mean suffering for the farmer.
They could and probably would make
something else. But what Of the whole
people of the country?
So it is with any other kind of work. It
must be kept going if the people are not to
suffer.
It is not question of improving the
condition of few people, or OF a class Of
people, but of improving the condition Of
all the people, There can be no real pros
perity with part Of the country, or any
considerable part of the people, in want
for the things needed to sustain life
The Record says further in the same ar
ticle CAS- we build up production on the
farm and in the mine and in the factory,
we will gradually bring about an in
crease of wealth which will offset the
enormous losses of the war, and will be-