Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-02-10

which in a lesser degree extended to
all other workers and finally to those
few who had not already left the farm.
Our country was filed with wealth and
money became so plentiful that no one
would labor except for an astonishing
amount thereof. What was the need
where money lay as mamma on the
ground. People contended for even
greater wages, with accompanying
strikes, idleness and property destruc-
ton. Commissions, boards and thou
sands of other organizations were
created with their presidents and vice
presidents and forty-fifth vice presi-
dents, secretaries, stenographers and
advisors. Everybody was looking for
q position which supplied some one to
do their work. The unanimous desire
of all of these people seemed to be for
a constant increase In their pay and a
rapid spending thereof, which called
for another increase, iaffording an even
greater spending power.
Then followed our declaration of war,
which created much greater scarcity
of help with accompanying higher
prices. Our country had received so
great an amount of wealth from abroad
that this condition continued for a
considerable period after the war was
over. Our resources were enormous,
but also was the cost Of our part in
the war, which together, with our
waste of spending finally consumed the
same. In the vain hope to continue our
luxurious living, every known expedi-
ent was resorted to. First, we bor-
rowed from all who would lend; then.
sold everything available except the
automobile, which we ran with the
throttle wide open whenever we could
acquire sufficient gas to travel another
mile.
Nor were these spectacular proceed
ings confined to the wild and woody.
Setting aside the established laws Of
political economy, which are as
changeless as the law Of gravity, our
most conservative financiers and ablest
leaders struck pace, that only the
swiftest could follow Credits were
extended and bonds issued, in order
that this shell of prosperity might be
sustained. We viewed the money thus
obtained as newly created wealth,
when in reality it was only a debt. a
burden upon our future prosperity. 1t
was spent at the peak of prices, leav-
ing little to show except an obligation
to be paid by those who shall receive
but little benefit therefrom.
We did not consider that bonds
should never be made a burden upon
others In excess OF the benefit which
they receive. Even our poverty follow
ing the Civil War,llid not cause us to
abandon this fine principle. Many
towns and communities have been
ruined by bond issues for which we
never seem, to get the same value as
when we pay as we go, and don't go
until we can pay. For our people are
willing to pay taxes for what they
really need, provided this tax is justly
placed and economically spent. We
should regard the issuing Of bonds on
community just as you would a
mortgage on your home.
1t is now claimed that we should
issue bonds for the construction Of
smooth surface roads, and that the
saving in wear and tear on automobiles
would soon repay the same. Now, this
being true, the road question is finally
settled. Tax the automobile for enough
to build these roads and, let the owner
reimburse himself from these said saw
ings.
The issue Of war bonds no one will
question the frightful waste so con-
tinuously incurred before Germany was
beaten, we must take as the part Of
nation which absolutely refused to al
low herself to prepare for the struggle
which beat upon our door for four
years before finally breaking through.
McIver Williamson.
Darlington, February 4.