Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-07
E1IEEW[
THE MENACE OF OVERPRODUCTION.
Edited by Scoville Hamlin. New York John
Wiley & Sons, Inc


said that, and that ne went on to
tell Of the ineffciency OF dtstribu-
ton as the basic cause of every hard times"
situation must have bs:n mistaken, because
here comes the statement from many sources
that overproducton is reality is present
menace to the country as whole. Monday,
President Hoover made overproduction pri-
mary announcement to the newly convened
Congress. The press daily enlarges upon the
various aspects of the theme and the ramo
,,pightly reaf1irms the actuality Of overproduc-
Nm. Clearly, misunderstood Mr.. Ford-to
my regret, since could understand MS theory
and follow it. This diverse view Is much more
complex but help is at hand in the way OF
this book, which offers a chance for DELHI
crate study when its initial reading begins to
curdIe in the mind as doubt and question and
denial
Meeting here in symposium of practical
experience is group of producers manu1ac-
turerS, managers, distributors experts OF one
sort or another in some of the basic produc-
tions Of industry. They are in perfect agree
mSut as to the reality OF overproductlon-ln
mining, the oil output, in agriculture, In all
textile fabrications In just about every line
of consumption there is manifest this menac-
ing fact of excessive production. Each man
talks from his standpoint of experience.
And here lies the clear value of the symposium
as o whole. In every case there Is sincere
reach for the first cause of this excess output,
for its immediate effect and its more remote
menace. In each case there is first-hand record
of the experiments made use of to correct the
dangerous condition, varied devices these, each
fitted to its own problem. Yet, in sum, these
OFFER competent and pointed means of pause,
for recovery Allied matters come in here for
most Illuminating ways of meeting the indi-
vidual crisis. And these illuminating" not
only to the business man but to the intelligent
man and woman whose business it is to know
exactly these facts their drift and their
i4lNOrt.
A chapter on Balanced Prosperity" is well
worth the while of the average student of af-
fairs. The growth of industrial and financial
units takes on meaning here. other than the
greed and rapacity" of business. The organi-
zation of business and its management are
found, by way of this available and practical
discussion to have a distinct relation to over
production itself. To this substantial budget
of evidence as to the dangers of overproduction
Is a chapter given over to constructive views
and proposals bearing upon the subject. The
cause, the extent and the cure of overproduc-
ton sums the purpose and the content of the
volume in hand. Interesting to the business
and-coming man and woman, bent upon know
ing as much as possible about the generally
vital and pressing questions of the common
life. A good book to throw into the school room,
into the high school, for stirring of the rea-
son and insight of these gloriousy alive, and
wise, young folks to sharpen their teeth upon.
Why not? OF course, its primary use is other
than this. Certainly. But, why not this, too?
MEMORIES AND vAGARIES BY Axel
Munthe, author of 1.-THE Story Of San
Michele" etc. New York: E. p. Dutton &
Co.
ONLY little while ago, few months ago,
'1The Story of San Michele" took American
readers by storm. Or was it Axel Munthe him
SELF who took us into such willing captivity?
Nc matter which, for the two are one. In
evidences Of such complete identity Of the artist
ana his work, here comes another book from
the same source. And again the two are one
siighter story than the other. In truth no
story at all. Rather passing views-the outlook
from an open window, the overlook from o
high tower, shining clouds, sweeping winds
soft airs, voices rising from the street, music
floating from easement Something on the
street-an organ-grinder with his little com.
panion, genius stepping out stately, under
the dream Of fame that never does come true
That ives M. Alfredo, that man who passed M
Just now with the great masterpiece, the mighty
drama, under his arm. 1t was the masterpiece
that tuned his step to a march of triumph
poor M. Alfredo! SO one goes through this
beautiful lane Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
Vagaries"; through this maze of beauty, which
IT, IN essence, but the beauty of the mans own
spirit Without him as guide we would have
stumbled over these very things, unseeing But,
happily. he Is beside us at many q point Of
that miracle which is only human understand
ing. which here is only this mans passion Of
kindness and deep sense of the beauty of the
world. At the last, in his own beloved Way
OF speech. he says in place Of a preface, "He
who has written this little book is no author"
And then he goes on to tell why he is not; that
his life has been spent with reality, with q
DOCTORS reality No doubt that is quite true
But ne neglects to count himself as the amaz-
Ing crucible into which the realities Of human
existence once cast there become subject to the.
alchemy OF this mans wondrous spirit of in
tuition and sympathy, o. poetry and imagery.
Of great gift which transmutes seemingly
uuu facts to something like celestial rides
cence of beauty and promise oh, lovely book
03 mat iI,aElica tio.,s