New-York tribune., 1921-04-29
Kaiser Offered
SchWab Bribe>
OF 100 Million
Continued from page sne)

ity But we have the greater problem
now. That is to win the peace. We
are met here at one Of the most criti-
cal moments in the history of the
world. Out of the decisions made now
there may arise the greatest prosperity
the world has ever seen.
1T is impossible for me to be any,
thing but an optimist. The world is so
full Of opportunity and promise and
confidence that l cannot see ANYTHING
but future full of brillance and
abundance. But we must win the
peace as we won the war if we are to
realize our hopes and dreams.
Il have just returned from Europe,
and | come with renewed admiration
for the courage, the enterprise and the
determination which is being displayed
in Italy, in Belgium, in France and in
England. These nations, which were
wonderful as our allies in war, are
marvellous in meeting the tasks of
peace. But there is one thought above
servations in Europe. 1t is this: Ger
many has gone to work as has no other
nation in Europe. Her working people
are economizing, sacrificing and throw
ing themselves into real production, be-
lieving, as l do, that the strength and
prosperity of a nation depends upon
the efficiency of its labor. | have some
thing of a shock in contemplating this
thought
Germany May Win Through Labor
"1s it possible that, after having won
the war, we of the Allied nations, with
everything in our hands, will allow
Germany to win the peace through the
efforts of her labor?
"Will it be possible that adversity will
have taught the Germans such a lesson
on the need of thrift and hard effort
that they will gain the permanent bene-
tit from the war, while labor in the
Allied countries reposes at it's ease and
lets go the most brilliant opportunity
of all it's history? Germany can to-day
put ton of steel in England at a price
$40 cheaper than what it costs England
TO make it. Germany to-day is selling
pneumatic tools in Detroit, where for
melly We made machinery and shipped
it to Germany cheaper than she could
make it. The difference is solely
matter of labor costs.
"1t is estimated that there are five
million men out Of work in this coun-
try. The Pennsylvania Railroad alone
has been compelled to discharge $4,000
men. 1t is accordingly of supreme i'm
|
as the capitalist restore our prosperity,
and the only sure road to restored pros
perity is through thrift and hard work
Of our people as whole.
81 believe in reward, and that every
man should be rewarded as nearly as
possible for the good work he does
The more work the more reward-the
better work the still higher reward
But labor on the whole can be paid
only what labor as a whole earns, and
if some sections of labor exact more
than their share Of the current produce
of the world, other sections of labor
than their share.
"We talk of minimum or living
wage for the individual, but the COM
munity itself must first be allowed to
live. Our laborers are entitled to a
high standard of living and we should
throw around them every possible op
portunity to realize it. But the aver
agc standard of living will necessarily
depend upon the average amount of
work done by all men and not upon
the mere money rates which are paid
as wages. Wages are not gifts and the
worlds wage bill cannot be paid unless
it is earned by labor as whole.
"The same condition confronts our
merchant marine. Whether in operat-
ing ships or repairing ships, labor costs
are hopelessly high.
Business in America is burdened
with taxes and restrictions of one kind
ard another. The Administration at
Washington will legislate soundly with
reference to both tariff and taxation.
1t will develop a system of custom
duties which will promote and not
hinder the development of industry
The master minds of the nation are
giving careful study and developing
methods of liquidating our war debt
That burden must be met and it will
be met cheerfully. But these are but
Incidental problems in reality as COM
pared with the transcendent need to
go to work and to do real days work