The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-02-03
AMERICATO PROSPER
STATES GARY
HEAD OF STEEL CORPORATION
BELIEVES NOW THAT NOR
MALCY is IN SIGHT

Ebert H. Gary chairman of the
United States Steel corporation, dis
cussing economic cvonditions, express
ed the opinioa that the United States
was bound to be prosperous because
of its unequaled resurces. Judge
Gary said:
"I am only repeating what many
are at present saying when assert
that there are many things in the
general atmosphere which are dis
quieting. And yet, I am as hopeful
and confident Of the future as I have
been at any time.
Conditions are no worse than-many
months ago it was predicted would
probably be the case. With others I
have for a long time limited at the
possibilities.
"The wonder is times have not been
much worse.
Conditions are abnormal. The
minds of men throughout the world
are distorted. This Of course, is the
result OF the terrible war through
which we have ps sssed.
Criminal outbreaks in large cities,
revolutions in various countries, quar-
rels between sections the disposition
to get something for nothing even by
force are all direct results Of the mil
itary conflicts which have been rag
ing.
"The exhibition of hate, greed, pas
sion and distrust come from the abb
normalized condition of the minds Of
people. During the war men had been
thinking of power and force. Demor-
alization, envy, cupidity have been
developed. The capitalist has been
using his wealth to unreasonably If
not unfairly increase his fortune. The
workmen have been trying to secure
larger compensation for less service.
The tradesmen has been buying for
lowest obtainable prices and charging
the highest profits which would be
tolerated.
"There has been Indifference on the
part of many to the rights and inter-
ests of others. The golden rule in
business has been temporarily sus-
pended. There has been an orgy Of
extravaganza and profigacy.
81 am, of course speaking of the in
clination of the majority, recognizing
that there are always large numbers
of exceptions.
$50 far as the majority of the peo-
pie are concerned they have some ex-
cuse for they have been Influenced by
the examples of their national admin
istrations. Public authorities, or
some of them, have been guilty OF
many of the offenses to which l have
alluded.
Future generations locking back
to the present will be amazed when
contemplating how nearly insane large
numbers of public. officials and prl-
vate individuals seem to have been.
To kill people by the millions wheh
not absolutely necessary or to steal
property in large quantities, or to ap-
propriate property or territory OF an
other of large value, is just as bad as
to murder a single individual or to
steal a small amount of money, or to
rob another of a single horse, al
though not generally so considered.
"For governments to waste money
by millions or billions for war pur-
poses unnecessarily is as inexcusable
as for individuals to waste small
amounts. y
81 am not now proposing to apply
the general principals to any lndivld-
ual nation or nations or to any classi-
fed people, or to do more than make
the point that in view of what the
wcrld has been passing through dur
ing the past few years we should BE
thankful that there has not been'
since the war closed, more crime, dis
order and dishonesty than we have
witnessed.
"There is another side to this pic
ture. I wish to refer particularly to
the United States-to our own situa-
ton, our opportunities and prospects.
81 have before referred to the Pc
cuniary resources Of the United
States. Others have frequently done
the same. Newspapers have publish
ed the facts and figures. They are
startling. No one familiar with them
can doubt the potentiallity Of our coun-
try.
In addition to that we have the
spirit and determination Hhich can
and will overcome all obstacles with
the greatest success.
aT1ho countrv which within a year