The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-09-28
BUTLER URGES u. s.
CALL WORLD FARLEY
Says Economic Meeting Con-
vened by Harding Might
Usher in Prosperity.
AMERICA MUST BE LEADER
Deliverance From Slough OF
Despond Is Termed U. s.
Responsibility.
AMERICA MUST BE LEADER

A world economic conference in
washington at the cali Of President
Harding was suggested yesterday by
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler at the open
ing Of the 169th academic year or CO.
lumbia University.
Let the politicians hold aloof for
bit and let the trained brains of the
nations work at what has become
capital problem for the nations Jointly
and severally." asserted DR.. Butler.
IF the world had gone mad after the
armistice II would have behaved very
much as 1t lis behaving now" declared
DIR. Butler. He said the fanatical ma
tionalism which drove Germany to dis
aster had seized nearly every people and
that the world was suffering from too
much politics and too little statesman
ship. Murder has been raised from the
plane of atrocity to that of argument,
he added.
"That same fanatical form of nation
alism which under Prussian leadership
drove Germany to it's DOOM" DR.. Butler
said. has in greater or less legree seized
upon almost every people. and at the
very hour when each Is so entirely de-
pendent upon the rest each exaggerates
It's differences with others and feverishly
throws up barriers against economic and
social contacts and exchanges. If the
world had gone mad after the armistice
It would have behaved very much as it
is behaving now.
Murder has been raised from the
plane of atrocity to that of argument.
It is the favorite form of response,
whether in Germany in England, in Ire
land or in the United States, to any
policy or conduct which the murderer
may not approve.
1.-THE problem is too huge to be at
tackled in its entirety. 1t must be taken
In practical fashion, bit by bit, and
start made toward its judicious solu-
ton The responsibility Of the United
States is enormous. Economic condi-
tions are such that the United States.
and perhaps the United States alone.
can lead the way out of the present
slough of despond and prevent our peo-
pie being eventually drawn into 1t.
Tho Washington Conference on Limi-
tation of Armaments was successful be-
cause of the terms of the invitation, of
the restricted number of participants.
OF the place where it was held and of
the definite and precise list of topics
proposed for consideration. 1t Is we'll
worth most serious thought whether an
economic conference should not shortly
be called by the President of the United
States to convene at Washington. Like
the earlier conference, such economic
both as to the number of nations invited
tc participate and as TO the list of topics
to be considered. These should be en-
tirely economic and financial and In no
wise political.
Properly constituted and wisely con-
Quoted. such an economic conference at
Washington might be able to unlock the
door to new international progress and
to new national prosperity and salts
faction.
1.-The restoration of the consuming
power of the three hundred millions and
more made destitute by the war, the
restoration of the worlds power of pro-
duction In agriculture and In manufac-
ture, the gradual lifting of the heavy
burden of public debt, the reduction of
taxation. the restoration to normal OF
the international exchanges and the cx-
tension of international credits are all
subjects for study and recommendation
by trained economists and experienced
men of affairs. Let the politicians hold
aloof for bit and let the trained brains
of the nations work at what has become
capital problem for the nations Jointly
and severally."
Opening exercises on Morningside
we're held at 3 o'clock In the university
gymnasium. The annual academic ad-
dress was delivered by Franklin H. Gid
dings. professor of sociology and the
history OF civilization, on the subject
1.-THE Divine Right of Human Ability"
Indications are that the university en-
rollment will be we'll above the $4,000
mark of last year. The freshman class
will be the largest yet, with over COO
students.