New-York tribune., 1920-02-20
u. S. Should Nurse
World Till Peace
Comes, Says Baker
Economic Marriage Between
Americaand EuropeB Binds
Us to Help All, Secretary
Tells Dry Goods Retailers

Secretary Of War Newton D. Baker.
in an address at the dinner of the Ma.
tional Retail Dry Goods Association
at the Hotel Pennsylvania last night,
pleaded for America "to be brave
enough" and "lead the world back to
peace and order through the league
of nations" Mr. Baker asserted that
the United States cannot return to it's
state Of splendid isolation" and that
it is dependent upon other nations and
the other lands are dependent upon this
country.
Saying that "probably not since Noah
has the world known a state of dcs-
olation as great and wide as the one
prevailing" Mr.. Baker urged that the
United States assume the role of nurse
of the world and help lead it back to
economic and political stability. The
alternative to the league of nations,
Mr.. Baker said, is world anarchy. This,
he added, is particularly true "because
men everywhere seem to have lost their
faith in government and the institu-
tions of men,"
All Nations lInterdependent
"The idea Of q hermit nation has
passed from the world" said Mr.. Baker.
"and there is not one nation which Is
not dependent for its life upon some
other nation. All are economically
bound together into one indissoluble
union"
Describing the cost of the war in men
and treasure, Mr.. Baker said that the
countries of Europe are in state Of
hopelessness and despair, and cannot
get their economic processes read
justed without the direct aid of the
United States.
ut is our duty in a brave spirit to
solve our problems, to set our own
house in order and then help the world
to set its house in order We have
married the world economically and the
obligations Of that marriage tie us to
the nations everywhere"
The Rev. S. Parkes Cadman, of the
Central Congregational Church of
Brooklyn, also pleaded for the league
OF nations and assailed Senator Lodge
for his stand on the peace treaty.
The second day of the associations
convention was devoted to discussions
Of educational problems pertaining to
business.
Samuel W. Rayburn, speaking at the
morning session, gave an historical
resume OF the retail trade in America.
lie spoke of the origin of retail trade
from the time when dealers handled
only commodities. and money was not
known, down to the present period.
Relations Changed by War
The afternoon session was devoted
to discussion of the principles Of
personal work and their application.
particularly in department stores. Wal
ter Scott Dill discussed the first phase
OF the subject and Michael Schaap. Of
L. Bamberger & Co., Of Newark. con-
ccerned himself with the latter phase.
Mr.. Schaap emphasized the point that
one of the effects of the war has been
to- change the attitude of the respon-
s!ole business man toward his en-
ployees.
The, days proceedings were con-
GUIDED with an address on Industrial
Democracy" by John Leitch, of Chi
cago. Cooperation between EMPLOYERS
and employees must be the keynote of
all modern business, said the speaker.
lhe association elected new board
OF directors, ono for each Of the five
districts embraced within 1t, and three
at Mrge; Those chosen follow:
christ * Co., of Boston.
Second Districts: F. Rothschild,
Abraham 4 Straus, Of Brooklyn.
Third District-P. ]. Paxon Davi-
son, Paxon & Stokes, Of Atlanta.
Fourth District-D. S. Kelly, Mandsl
Brothers, Of Chicago.
Fifth District-Marshall Hale, Hale
Brothers, of San Francisco.
~ At Large--Samuel Rayburn, Lord
taylor, Of New York, Fl. Wallace jr..
fornes Wallace, Of Springfield, Mass
snd L. =. Nash, Nash-Burgess Com
Lew Hahn, executive secretary and
treasurer. was reelected, but the t;tls
director. " managing