Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-04-28
Uncle Sans Horse Sense
Minneapolis Tribune.

Hon. William c. Redfeld. in recent ad-
dress in Boston, summed up very strikingly
some of'Uncle Sans failures to use the prac-
!. teal horse sense supposed to be domnent trait
of the character which has made that remark
able old gentleman so healthy, wealthy and
wise. Though loyalty accaiming Uncle Sans
miraculous achievements in self development,
the secretary of commerce calls attention to
several points that ought to start a few thoughts
under the gray plug hat with its starry band.
The apathy of public opinion, the only
autocrat possessed of irresistible power, is de-
plored, and what it might achieve, if aroused,
is wildly set forth. Mr.. Redfield gets down to
brass tacks and presents concrete instances of
incredible short-sightedness in matters closely
related to national needs and corresponding re-
sources. He says. in effect, that many OF the
burdens under which we labor could be tighten
ed, or even thrown off, if we used the most
obvious common sense in dealing with them.
He asks that more attention be paid. by
Uncle Sam, to practical issues lying close at
hand; that he find out what he has at home
which now he purchases abroad; that he put
stop to terrific wastage in manufacturing and
that he develop natural resources now left in
set his house in order solely with theoretical
readJustments along political and social lines.
1--WE must" ne says IF we are to be right
eous trustees OF our great estate, make political
policies practical in another and more Thoughtful
than that of the socalled practical politics
of the past Inheritors Of vast estate, perhaps
of an unequaled estate. we are as whole-no
one party, or group. or section, but all of US
seriously neg1ectfu of our property"
His illustrations speak graphically for them
selves A typical one is that of the white pine
industry in which only one-third of tree
reaches the market, the other two-thirds being
wasted. From this waste might be produced
daily, 10000 tons of paper, 5000 tons of nosn,
100000 gallons Of turpentne and 100000 gallons
of alcohol.
In the reclamation Of swamp and arid lands
lies a solution of high food prices. By the de-
veopment of waterways. freight rates might be
reduced to reason. Harnessed waterpowers,
rightly controlled and administered, mean
cheaper light. power, transportation and heat
with the conservation of diminishing coal and
timber supplies. Vast quantities Of untitled
food and leather are in the seas that wash our
shores, yet request for an appropriation of
$l7,500 to operate for year fisheries product
laboratory, many of whose numerous results
would each far more than pay the entire cost"
was promptly and almost laughingly refused.
The war showed US that we possessed much
material for industrial and commercial pur-
poses formerly imported at great expense from
foreign countries. Further research and de-
veopment along these lines should be one of
the permanent results of our recent years of de-
privation and stress
Mr. Redheld calls for new national slogan,
Develop America" which needs only the force
of awakened public opinion. persistently and
sensbly applied, to go far toward settling pre-
vaent unrest. solving innumerable practical
problems and increasing world-respect and
self-respect for Uncle Sans famous endow-
ment of horse sense.