Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-27
Win We Want Money
the not infrequent fling that Amerl

~NAA-oNN
cans are worshipers of a golden calf
and lovers of the root of evil,
distinguished Italian, Signor Soranl, makes
a reply that is deeply generous in its estimate
of our national traits and much more i'm
pressive than any defense from this side OF
the water could be. Writing in the SECOLO'
of Milan, he tells his countrymen. along with
all Europeans, that if they will look little
below surface appearances, they will find that
Americans do not idolize money, alpeit
they shave lowered it's value by Keeping II
constantly in circulation. moving from one
to the other, and thus increasing the actlvl-
ties of all by increasing their efforts to oD-
tain it." "a touch of humor, this; but
grimly realistic to the pursuing rank and f1le
who know how true it is that money takes
unto itself wings.) But, Signor Soran1 goes
on, it is only what money will bring that
gives it value in American eyes. ITO enlarge
the sphere of the world to make room for
a little more blue sky, and to let little more
of the spiritual enter into the hearts or men
these as our gracious Italian observer sees
the matter, are the detectives we mainly
strive for, in what less kindly critics call our
chase of the almighty dollar"
Well. whether his Interpretation be true
or not, it is certainly worth Americas While
to endeavor to make it true, for to the exr
tent that it does become true and to that
extent alone, will this nation achieve the nope
of her founders and gain prosperity that
will nurture, instead of destroy, liberty
and happiness. When American money step
ped into the World Wars deadly breach with
sinews that went far toward making Allied
victory possible, was it not then honorlng the
muscle and mind that brought it forth? When
it rallies to the relief of millions of starving
children in lands across the sea, is 1t not
then transmitting itself into that gold which
wise men have ever priced and offered as
the gift supreme? When it devotes itself,
either in large fortunes or in little savings
to the upbuilding of colleges and universities,
to the establishment of hospitals, to the ad-
vancement of science, to the amelioratlon OF
human suffering and wrongs, the quickening
of human minds and spirits, is 1t not then
ustifying and ennobling the toll and the skill
from which it is coined? There can be no
rightful limit to the making Of money, when
this is the manner of its spending; for the
more spent thus, the easier will be the &C
1uisition, by all men, of the real values for
which money stands tt
Misers there are in America, as in all lands
and profligates and prOfiteers, men who
love money on it's own account, or for the
vulgar power and pretentiousness it can
bring. But it is very doubtful that these are
more than lean and low minority anywhere.
Most people seek money, first of ALL because,
at our present stage of civilization. it is the
wherewithal to food, shelter, clothing, sub
sistence. But the more interesting motives
in human character come into play when
people seek money for something beyond
these stark necessities; for pleasure. or for
dominion or for the outlet Of restless en-
ergies. Most interesting of all however, and
most significant are the impulsions which
stir and shine when men seek money ''to
make room for little more blue sky and to
let little more tof' the spiritual enter into
the hearts of men," If Signor Sorani is right
in saying that these are the dominant urges
behind that portion of Americas economic
effort which goes to the quest of money over
and above elemental needs, then happy is
our nations prospect.
But let us not take his word for Il roo
nomplacently. We know what we CAN do in
This land of plenteous opportunity But ARE
We doing it?