Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-20
Circulation Every 1IOIO
Evening Yesterday l4Z4S
Sounds Sensible and Practical.

, Sounds Sensible and Practical.
Mr. Samuel NJ. Vauclain of Philadel-
phis. president of the great Baldwin
Locomotive Works, Just back from
business "Trip to Europe, makes some
vsrv striking comments on conditions
abroad. and the prospects for the future,
that will attract marked attention. MT
Vauclain does not discern dark and DIS
consolete future for war-stricken Europe
on the contrary, be sees signs OF much
announcement. He was on business
mission. and he did business to large
extent. securing contracts for locomotives
which he accepted with full confidence OF
the security of all arrangements Tor pay
ment which he accepted. His tour took
him through large part of Central ana
Eastern Europe, and he had ample op-
portunities for observing general condl-
tions as well as doing what he considers
profitable business.
One conclusion reached by this aoie
and practical business man as result OF
his observations was that our government
should recall at once all the United states
commissioners who are now trying 10
show the people Of Europe how to run
their countries, and put them TO WORK
here. in order to help meeting the press
ing need of increased production. lie
would have all called back. with the ex-
ception OF the military commissions. Inc
Il
others, he said. simply overrun Europe
and he could not see they were dong
anything beyond sending home reports
that Europe is starving. But MIR. Nau-
claim could not see such a disturbing
condition. He saw no starving persons,
and found food plentiful everywhere
with excellent crop prospects. LIVING
he said. is less costly there than here,
because production is more extensive.
He saw no one who was not clothed
decently. And more suggestive than all
the rest of bis observations wss tins:
Every person in Europe works.
Accepting Mr.. vauclain's observations
at least at face value. they present sItua-
ton that should attract the interest OF our
people here at home and especially Of our
government authorities. Many OF our
citizens are engaged in so-called re
construction and relief work" IN Europe,
the cost of which is continually drawing
large sums Of money from this country
Mr.. Vauclain failed to see, during hls
travels. that they were doing any good,
and in this view he will be sustained TO
some extent by opinion here at home.
No doubt every community that has
knowledge of some of its citizens engaged
In one form or another of relief work IN
Europe, hears far more frequently the
comment that the workers" are having
good time than the practical indorse-
nent. "they are doing great deal OF
good work"
That the people of Europe were sorely
stricken by the terrible ravages OF the
war is undoubted. But it also IS fact
they are recovering rapidly, and are bend
ing their energies towards q restoration OF
normal conditions as rapidly as possible
They will not bring about complete re-
cuperation in day, or month. or year,
but with hard work, economy and patience
thay will effect radical changes for
betterment, steadily and day by day.
And every day they work to this end
lessons the demand for our assistance,
which undoubtedly was intensive and
widespread at the ending OF the war.
But while people viii give credence to
Mr.. Vauclain's conclusions, based on per
sonal observation, they cannot close their
ewes to the assertions by MIR. Henry T.
Dawson. manager of Red Cross work
abroad. that terrible deprivation and
suffering prevail throughout Central and
Eastern Europe. That there is much
suffering is only natural condition fol-
lowing the devastating war, but II the
people are industrious and economical, as
Mr.. Vauclain says. this suffering and des-
titution must be steadily diminishing Our
people have great faith in the Red Cross
as an agency Of practical as well as benev-
olent work, and will believe there is a
field for its labors in Europe as long as its
managing directors say there is.
But other agencies than the Red Cross
are engaged in alleged philanthropic work
abroad, and probably MIR. Nauclaln, IN
his somewhat sweeping general recon-
mendationx. had reference to them rather
than to the Red Cross. And in this respect
his views will receive generous acceptance
here at home. 1t would be folly 10 CON
tinue contributing money for the main
tenance of unnecessary relief agencies IN
Europe. And as Mr. Fauclain says. there
is ample opportunity here at home Tor
workers The great need Of our country.
one from which it is suffering severely, is
production.