The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-04-02

War was once described as Prus-
sia's most profitable industry.
It needs only q scant examination OF
history to learn that other countries
we're open to the same indictment.
The methods Of the Robber Barons
did not pass with the end Of feudaI-
ism. Annexation by conquest did not
cease. But when America entered the
World War President Wilson fathered
q doctrine that shall always govern
us-that never a foot Of territory
would be added to our boundaries by
force.
So. as America has taken the lead
toward making impossible national
profit through war, it too may be
Americas privilege to point the way
toward making impossible individual
profit through war. To take the profit
out OF war is to take a long step to-
ward creating ar economic detesta-
ton Of war. The experience Of the
United States in the World War af-
fords a basis for the belief that the
plan herein discussed is practical. In
fact, It is more than a belief-it Is q
certainty, although not widely known.
The world is such a busy place, and
lhe radius Of human activity has been
so greatly enlarged because Of modern
inventions, that it is not strange that
there are but few people who are con-
Versant with what was quietly but
effectively taking place in this coun-
try in the mobilization and use of it's
material resources in the World War
"a process that would have eventual
~ eliminated all improper profits.
Strength is given to the public ad-
vocacy OF industrial mobilization made
by both President Harding and PTesi-
dent COolidge-MT. Coolidge as re-
Gently as last October in his Omaha
speech to the American LegiOn-by
the fact that the plan they advocated
as a part Of the regular national war
agencies had once been set up and
successfully operated under the Wal
Industries Board.
Preceding the Presidents recent
clear exposition Of this subject, some
degree OF public interest had been en-
~gendered by an exchange Of letters be-
tween Owen D. Young (of Dawes plan
fame), in behalf Of the Walter Hines
Page School Of International Rela-
tiOns, and the writer. The CORE
~spondence resulted in the establish
ment OF lectures at the Page School
(of Johns Hopkins University on this
theme. Previously the Atlantic Month.
ID printed an article by Sisley Huddle.
ston, who pointed out that Europe saw
great strides toward peace in the
American idea Of taking the profit
out OF war" in a systematic way. His
basic reference was to the plan Of the
War Industries Board.
The resources Of a country might
be referred to as the FIVE MS: IL
man power; ~ money; (3) main
lenance or food: az material re
sources (including raw materials
manufacturing facilities, t~ransporta
ton, fuel and power); and (5) morale
The intelligence with which the frs
four are directed and co-Ordinated al
q whole will determine the fifth. thu
morale OF the community.
In the war emergency Il early be
came evident to those who werv
charged with the responsibility o
mobiIizing the resources that Their
was a Just sentiment among the pee
pie against prOhteering. ProhteerinI
might be willfui and profit maxim
might be involuntary; but, Whatsve
lts form. there was a Just determine
zion q should cease. So e becam
necessary to Ak prices where the SUI
ply was limited.
wherever the government created
shortage by It's demands. prices weF
axed. not only for the Army, Navy an
ehO Allies, but for the civilian popull
zion az we'll. And in addition TO priC
fixing On.war essentials (such as stee
wool, copper, and so forth), the ba
anco, after the war program had bee
alled. was FatiOned or distributed q
eording 20 the priority needs Of d
various civilian demands. In 9th.
words, where the price Of the produl
Il an industry was sod that indgstI
lad to deliver the part which the go
eminent did not need to the civilia
population. not in the way the indu
try chose, but as the government {
Tocted.
n must be remembered that VIII,
enc war came there was no adequa
preparation. Indeed. It Is doubted
che best authorities whether any
foctive form Of preparation thu
known would have been Of much avs
in view Of the widespread and engu
ing results Of the war and the lack
knowledge Of the various instrumsr
81 destruction which we're being
Used and Which It became necessa
e. combat
Oar own Amy had several 1itisi0
Umpeting enc VITA smother for mz'