The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-01-16
EMERGING FROM ITS TEENS

Just emerging from its teens, the
present century having during the
last six wears Sown more wild oats
than any of the other nineteen cen
turics since the dawn of Christianity,
is preparing to settle down, and VIII
seek to make record during the next
two decades that will clear its es-
cutChcon of the horrors Of the 1911
1918 era,
America played its part, good and
bad, in the wild oats episode. When
the century began this nation was IN
the Golden Age Crops were bountl-
full, business was prosperous, there
was little labor unrest, and the people
were happy. 1t was in the early part
of the century, in 1904. that the en-
tire civilized world sought America S
shores, and traversed the continent to
its very center, at st. Louis, and here
gave to the world an eXempliticatlon
of the achievements of the world, dur
ing the glorious six months Of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Nothing to compare with this had
ever been seen then. Nothing of even
approachable magnitude and magnlil-
cence has been attempted since. Pos
siDly the future may hold hopes for a
comparable spectacle, but it Is hardly
probable.
But even in this Golden Era Amerl-
cans were overlooking matter OF the
most supreme Importance. During
the years that the century was in It's
teens. when the country was enjoying
I'D
the individuals were building up rep
utations for themselves as constltu--
ing nation Of spenders. The United
States was reckoncd, and not without
cause, the most extravaganza OF the
earth's nations.
In those days every one was pros
porous. Wages were good and price
ruled low. Sugar sold at 20 and mort
pounds for the dollar, and good calico
was five cents the yard. The money Of
the masses did not remain with them
but went into the Golfers of the few
America had no Interior thoughts. She
lived in the present, and was content
Germany in those days was the saw
ing nation. She was laying up stores
for the selfish purpose, that when 1t
started on its way to fruition threat
ened to destroy the world, and in the
end has left that land pariah among
nations.
But America has learned its lesson,
When the century was in its teens the
number Of Americans who held U. 5.
Government Bonds could be numbered
by the thousands. The few knew that
this form Of investment was the best
on earth. But the great body of
Americans were non-savers. They
gave no thought for the morrow.
Then, as the teens were ending came
the great world war. Patriotism, not
thrift, caused millions of loyal Amer
leans to buy Liberty Bonds, that the
war might be won. But with the win
ming of the war with the dollars that
came from American pockets, came
the realization that if this nation were
to continue to hold its proud place
among the worlds leaders, the people
as Individuals must be prosperous, and
must save for that rainy day that
comes to us all.
Millions who had never clipped 9
coupon or received one penny in inter-
est were holders of Uncle Sans Sc
curities. As the interest days came
and the money their money had earn
ed was paid to them on the very day
that it was due, the common people
saw the advantage of investment II
the paper issued by Uncle Sam.
The little Thrift Stamp made its ap
pearance, accompanied by the Wa
Savings Stamp, that the smaller
stamps We're exchanged for. Then az
the people realized the advantages o
systematic saving and wise invest
ment, came the demand for something
better, and the United States Treas
ury Savings Certificates in denomina
tions of 500 and $1,000 made their APP