Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-28


occupations and different stations,
ployer and employed. All true Ameri-
cans are working for each other. ex-
changing the results of the efforts of
hand and brain wrought through the
unconsumed efforts of yesterday,
which we call capital, all paying and
being paid by each other. serving and
being served. To do otherwise is to
stand disgraced and alien to our in
situations. This means that govern
light of the whole, that legislation
must be directed not for private in
terest but for public welfare, and that
thereby alone will each of our citi-
zens find their greatest accomplish
ment and success.
If the great conflict has disturbed
our political conditions it has caused
an upheaval in our economic rela-
tions. The mounting prices of all
sorts of commodities has put a we'll
nigh unbearable burden on every
home. Much of this is beyond relief
from law, but the forces of the gov
ernrncn, can and must afford a con-
siderable remedy
Begin Rstrsnehment with tho Gov.
eminent
The most obvious place to begin
retrenchment is by eliminating the
extravaganza of the government it.
self. In this the Congress has made
commendable beginning, but al
though the Congress makes the ap-
preparations, the departments make
the expenditures, which are not under
legislative but executive control. The
cx,iavagant standards bred Of recent
years must be eliminated. This Should
show Immediately in reduced taxa
;icn. That great breeder " public
and private extravaganza. the excess
profits tax, should be revised and re
course had to customs taxes on i'm
ports, one Of the most wholesome of
all means OF raising revenue. for 1t is
voluntary in effect, and taxes con-
sumption rather. than production. II
should be laid according to the needs
of<a creditor nation. for the protec.
ton Of the public, with purpose to
render US both economically and de-
fensively independent.
"A revision Of taxation must be &C.
companied with reduction Of that
private extravaganza while tho re.
turns from luxury taxes reveal as
surprising all comprehension. Waiv-
ing the moral effect. the economic ef.
feet OF such extravaganza ia to with :
draw needed capital and labor from
essential industries. greatly increas.
ing the public distress and unrest.
There has boon p-ofiteering. IT
should be punished because 1t is
wrong. But it Is Idle to look to such
action for relief. This class profit by
scarcity. but they do not cause Il.
"As every one knows now. the
difficulty is caused by a scarcity of
material. an abundance OF money and
insufficient production. The govern
nent must reduce the amount of
money as fast as it can without cur
'aLing necessary credit. Production
'.iust be increased. All cas-. J.. >a-
tut difficult Of accomplishment.
Remove Railroads from Speculation
One of the chief hindrances to
production is lack Of adequate rail-
road facilities. Transportation must
be reestablished. A few glaring in
stances in the past of improper man
agement Joined with an ilaproper
public attitude thereby created.
wrought great harm tc our railroads
Government operation left them dis
integrateu, disorganized, and demon
aiized.s On their service depends ag-
ricuiture and industry-the entire
public welfare. They must be pro-
vided with credit and capital and
given the power to serve. This can
only be cone by removing them from
speculation. restoring their prospect
~ by Increased revenues where ne
cessary. thereby reesta blishing them
In the confidence of the investing
public. Their employees must be
compensated in accordance with the
great importance Of the service they
render. The whole railroad operation
must be restored to public confidence
by public support.
There must be different public
attitude toward industry, larger
comprehension of the interdepend-
ence of capital, management, and
labor, and better facilities for the
prompt and reasonable adjustment of
industrial disputes. 1t is well,to re-
member, too that high prices pro-
duce their own remedy under the law
OF supply and demand. Already in
the great leather and wooden indus
tries there is a recession in the basic
clements which must soon be reflect
ed IN retail prices. When buying
stops prices come down.
This condition has borne with es-
pecial severity on the agricultural in
terests of the nation. To cope with
II the farmers need an enlarged DOW
er of organization whereby the orig
inal producer may profit to a larger
degree by the high prices paid for his
produce By the ultimate consumer
and at the same time decrease the
cost OF food. The economic strength
of a country rests on the farm. In
dustrial activity is dependent upon
IT. 1t replenishes the entire life Of
the nation. Agriculture is entitled to
be suitably rewarded and on it's en-
enlargement and success will depend
the production of food supply large
enough to meet the public needs at
reasonable cost.
But all these difficulties depend for
nnai solution on the character and
moral force of the nation. Unless
these forces abound and manifest
themselves in work done there is no
real remedy.
What Was Won
There has been a great deal ~