The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-04-01

War was once described as Prus-
sia's most profitable industry.
1t needs only a scant examination of
history to learn that other countries
were open to the same indictment.
The methods of the Robber Barons
did not pass with the end of feudal-
ism. Annexation by conquest did not
cease. But when America entered the
World War President Wilson fathered
a 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, 1t 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 long step to-
ward creating an economic detesta-
ton of war, The experience of the
United States in the World War at
fords basis for the belief that the
plan herein discussed is practical. In
fact, 1t is more than belief-it is
certainty, although not widely known.
The world is such a busy place. and
the radius of human activity has been
so greatly enlarged because of modern
inventions. that 1t 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 its
material resources in the World War
"a process that would have eventual
ly eliminated all improper profits.
Strength is given to the public ad-
vocacy of industrial mobilization made
by both President Harding and Presi-
dent Coolidge-Mr 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 War
Industries Board.
Preceding the Presidents recent
clear exposition of this subject, some
degree Of public interest had been en-
eendered 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
IN printed an article by Sisley Huddle-
ston, who nointed 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 country might
be referred to as the five MS: %
man power; (2l money; 90 main
tenancp or food: 90 material re-
sources Unfolding raw materials
manufa turing facilities, transporta-
ton. frol md powerA and 60 morale
The intelligence with which the first
four are directed and coordinated as
whole will determine the fifth, the
morale Of the community.
In the war emergency 1t early be-
came evident to those who were
charged with the responsibility Of
modifying the resources that there
was a Just sentiment among the peo-
plc AGAINST nrofiteering. Profiteering
mioht no willful arl profit making
might he involuntary: but. whatever
It's form. there was a just determine
ton It should cease So It became
necessary - fix prices where the sup
ply was limited
Wherever the government created
sh artage bv its deme nds, prices were
fixed. not aeiv for the Army. Navy and
tn Allies brt for the civilian popula-
Hon as well Ard IN addition to price
rysne on ar cer nt'" Is (such as steel,
v-rol. coreer ard 81 forth) III bal
anee. after the war program had been
filled was ra'icneG rr distributed ac-
cording to the priority needs OF the
various civilian demands. In other
words. where the price Of the product
OF an in'ustry was feed hat industry
had to deliver the part which the gov
errmert "a not need to the civilian
popnla ion, not in he way the indus
try chose. but as the government di-
reeted
II must be remembered that when
the war came there was no adequate
preparation indeed 1t is doubted by
the best authorities whether any ef-
fective form of preparation then
known would have seen OF much avail
In view # t. widespread and engulf-
ing rcs~lts of tire war and the lack OF
know &c Of the various instruments
of dos. -uction which were beng de-
vised aaI which it beca ale necessary
to combat
Our own Army had several divisions
competing en- u'-t another for mate