The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-25
4 DRIVE TOR THRIFT.

Tho purpose Of thrift week is to arouse in
the public mind tho determination TO save. Tho
hope is that thousands Of now savings accounts
will be opened. or course every week should
be thrift week Just az every day should he
day of thrift. But we seem to have arrived at
that point whore 1t Is necessary to conduct
drive in order to get an idea lodged In the pub
lie mind.
The saving habit is the foundation OF all eco
nomlc happiness. The ,sociologsts have their
own peculiar philosophy, likewise the false
economists. They prate voubiy OF what so
ciety owes its unfortunntes. etc Yet the fact re-
mains that society owes no man anything other
than fair chance 20 earn and save. There are
unfortunatcs-physlca defccts--who have an
unqucstloned claim upon society. Nor is the
claim dishonored. But those phyacaiy and
me ntally able to do a days work have no such
claim. For II they practice the thrift that has
bottomed every material success since society
became an organized entity they would be in
dependent of all such movements
A good deal has been said recently concern
Ing unemployment and poverty. The crime
wavc has been excused because OF that, the OK
PLANTATION being made that men will steal
have In fact n right to steal--hefore they starvc.
Thls in face of the undisputcd fact that had
every man and woman practced thrift during
the last three years of unexampled prosperity
and high wages there would not be one such In
the United states today but could weather tho
uorm without crimo even though idle during
he entire period OF depression.
The necc settles OF life, including a reasonable
portion for mere pleasure, are not too exact
Ing Such necessities could have been met
throughout the entire period OF initiation and
still left handsome balance for the savings ac-
count. And II such had been tho practice OF
even day laborers there would be no such thing
as want in America at this time.
Nor Is a high wage a blessing to tho country
or the Individual unless that portion OF the
wage In excess OF reasonable necessity Is laid
up for the provcrbial yet certain rainy day II
high wages are Immediately dsspatcd in an
oxtravagant standard OF living; IL luxurics are
INDUCED In and false appetite gratites In
utter disregard OF the properties, high wages
are a curse and not blessing. Because no man
or woman s bcttered by such things. on the
contrary they are harmed.
It has often been said that thrift Is matter
Of mind and not OF material circumstances
Nothing trucr was ever uttered For tho man
or woman determined to do and get on in the
world; who has set himself or herself the desti-
nation of economic independence, will save
something each day on fifty-ccnt WACO just
ms he or she will save much more ten
dollar wage. While those not animated by suct
motive; who consider they have a blank CHECK
ON society that must be honorcd under all cir
cumstances will not save whit more tn,
ten dollar wage than on the fry-ccnt wage.
Thrift universal thrift, not merely one wccl
in the year but every day in the year. win speed
lly overthrow all OF the sociologic problems an,
allay all discomfort. Because the man or woman
that nourIshcs savings account Is an idea
citizen. n sacrificing citizen and, eventually al
Independent citizen,