The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-03-04
THE TIMES: FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1921

We must understand that ties of trade bind nations in closest intimacy and none may receive except as he -ourS in accordance with our resources or our genius, notably on our own continent, where a galaxy of repub- lies reflect the glory of new world de mocracy. but in the new order of finance and trade we mean to pro- mote, enlarge activities and seek ex-. banded confidence.
 Perhaps we can make no more helpful contribution by example than prove a republics capacity to emerge rom the wreckage of war. While the leave us devastated lands nor deso- late cities left no gaping wounds, no breast with hate$ it did involve us in the delirium of expenditure, in ex- banded currency credits, in unbal- anced industry, in unspeakable waste and disturbed relationships. While it uncovered our portion of hateful sell fishment at home. it also revealed the heart of America as sound and fearless, and beating in confidence unfailing
 "Anid it all we have riveted the gaze of all civilization to the un- selfshness and the righteousness of representative democracy, where our freedom never has made offensive warfare, never has soughb territorial aggrandizement through force, never
 
 arms until reason had been exhausted. When the governments of earth shall have established a freedom like our own and shall have sanctioned the pursuit of peace as we have practic- ed it, I believe the last sorrow and the final sacrifice of international war fare will have been written.
 Our Supreme Task.
 "Our supreme task Is the resump- tien of our onward normal way. Re- construction, readjuStment, reStora- tion-an these must follow I would like to have them. If it will tighten with which we take up the task, let me repeat for our nation, we shall give no people just cause to make war upon us. We hold no national revenge, we do not hate, we do not covet, we dream of no conquest, nor boast of armed prowess.
 "If.. despite this attitude, war Is again forced upon us, earnestly hope a way may be found, which will unify and consecrate all America. materi- ally and spiritually, body and soul, to national defense. I can vision the ideal republic, where every man and woman is called under the flag for as- signment to duty, for whatever ser vice, military or civic, the individual is best fitted, where we may call to universal service every plant, agency UT IaCIAIy, all III LDe SuDAIIlo SetCIl- flee. for country and not one penny of profit shall inure to the benefit of pri- vate individual, corporation or com bination, but all above the normal shall flow into the defense chest of the nation. There is something in- herent1y wrong, something out of ac- cord with the ideals of representative democracy when one portion of our citizenship turns its activity to pri- vate gain amid defensive war while another is fighting, sacrificing or dying for national preservation.
 Unity of Spirit and Purpose.
 "Out of such universal service will come a new unity of spirit and pur- pose, a new confidence and consecra- tion, which would make our defense Then we should have little or no of our economic, in dustria1 and commercial systems at home, no staggering war debts, no swollen fortunes to flout the sacri- fees of our soldiers, no excuse for sedition, no pitiable slackerism, no outrageS of treason. Envy and Jeal- lousy would have no soil for their menacing development and revolu- ton would be without the passion which engenders it
 "A regret for the mistakes of yes terday must not, however, blind us to the tasks Of today War never left such an aftermath. There has been staggering loss of life, and measureless wastage of materials Nations are still groping for return to stable ways. Discouraging in debtedness confronts us like all the war torn nations, and these obliga- tions must be provided for. No civilization can survive repudia- ton.
 eve reduce the abnormal ex- penditufes and we will. We can strike at war taxation and we must. We must face the grim necessity, with full knowledge that the task is to be solved, and we must proceed with a full realization that no statute en- acted by man can repeal the inexora- ble laws of nature. Our most dan gerous tendency is to expect too much of government and at the same time to do for too little.
 eve contemplate the immediate task of putting our public household in order. We need a rigid and yet sane economy, combined with fiscal justice and it must be attended by individual prudence and thrift which are so essential to this trying hour and reassuring for the future.
 Reflection of Wars Reaction.
 'nFhe business world reflects the disturbance of wars reaction. Herein ence.
 ssThe economic mechanism is in tricate and it's parts interdependent and has suffered the shocks and jars incident to abnormal demands, credit inflations and price upheavals. The normal balances have been impaired, the channels of distribution have been cIogged, the relations of labor and management have been strained. We must seek the readjustment with care and courage. Our people must give and take. Prices must reflect the receding fever of war activities. Perhaps we never shall know the s,ld levels of wage again. because war invariably readjustS compensa- tfons and the necessaries of life will show their inseparab1e relationship, but we must strive for normalcy to reach stability. All the penalties will not be light nor evenly dis tributed.
 stThere is no way of making them so. There is no instant step from disorder to order. We must face condition of grim reality, charge off our losses and start afresh. It is