Evening star., 1941-02-23
Discusses Problems
Thut Lie Ahead
Bu Frederic J. HdSkin.

While plans for national defense are
being pushed forward, and the many
possibilities of war are being discussed,
an undercurrent which Is gaining mo-
nlentum daily is the great uncertainty
that lies ahead OF business and the indl-
vidual, including obviously the prob
lens the country will face after the
emergency is over.
The consensus of certain observers is
that g. eat dangers lie ahead. even if the
country should not be subjected TO war.
These opinions serve as checks on what
might otherwise be a tendency to 60
too far afield in some directions. The
uncertainties Of the times may we'll
serve to make US cautious.
Curi0usly enough. and yet fully under
standable, is the fact that opposition to
iIl-defned plans and hasty conclusions
! emanatcs for the most part from those
who saw nothing except the green light
/ 25 years ago when the United States
/ decided to cast its lot with the Allies.
/ Few then, even among the Countrys
! foremost leaders, actually knew or had
/ seen the devastating afteT-effects of war,
. E
and felt only the immediate urge of
putting over a gigantic program. regard
! less of its cost or sacrifice, and trusted
4 that all would END well
Little did they realize that democracy
would soon be threatened TO an even
greater extent; neither did they realize
/ that there would shatter at their feet g
/ War-torn world. dIsillusiOned and later
TO become a victim Of the greatest eco
| nomIc collapse known to civilization. To
them there was no uncertainty, and
| when the armistice was signed they we're
sure that peaceful world had come into
being. that democracy had been saved
for all time
But with so many tragic things that
/ happened 10 the social and economic or
der of the Nation as a result OF the first
World War men are now proceeding
| with more caution. The first signs of this
! caution were clearly shown almost two
! years ago when the present war became
| a certainty. Those who enjoyed the
! greatest business stimulation during the
first World War. and who built up huge
I |
for a fleeing moment. were the first 10
! frOWn upon any movement that would
lead to overeXpansion Of business and
war profiteerng. This almost utter lack
of desire to plunge ahead became the
more interesting since most businesses
had experienced so many years OF small
production and poor profits, Suffering
so long from the effects Of the depres-
sion many thought that the ma jority Of
businessmen would take all possible risks.
But the story of the burnt child evil
/ dently was recalled.
Fortunately for the country, this busi-
ness caution still prevails. and what un-
. certainty may come out Of the national
. defense undertaking is still question
mark before the eyes Of large sector Of
. businessmen. But it is not question
OF their patriotism or Willingness to do
thel utmost for the safety and economic
security of their country. They simply
know that there is a tomorrow. and un-
less plans for today are carefully MADE,
and wisely and cautiously executed. the
results of the future may be worse than
conditions Of to-day.
This uncertainty which prevails has
many aspects Economically the Ma
tons foreign markets for manufactured
articles. raw and prOCessed farm products
are becoming fever and less active. The
if and when Of their regaining is any
mems guess This is bad enough OF it.
self. but with mounting taxes and A na-
tional deficit that seems to defy pairing.
y = J,,+o
without any lessening of the sure anc
unpleasant consequences to follow The
taxpayer has no escape and what may
Re 10 his discomfort. the amount of his
taxes Will inevitably continue TO rise for
several years.
TIC farmer and the businessman share
I'll '---0-" Unity with a degree Of under
standing. The former. with foreign mar
ketS dWlndlIng and no appreciablc in
crease in domestic consumption. stands
a goo defiance of seeing larger surpluses
and lower prices. The latter. especially
the manufacturer. is reluctant to turn to
the production of defense materials for
fear of a sudden end Of the emergency,
leaving his plant unsuited for the pro-
duction Of goods to meet normal de-
manGS.
The investor is in position even more
precarious. foy his experiences in the
real estate market Of two decades ago
were for the most part unpleasant. and
other fields are equally risky. Tax-ex-
empt securities are no more and interest
allowances by banks are small
But this uncertainty because of the
unusual times is not confined to farmers,
businessmen and investors. It strikes
at the foundation of every home and the
pillars Of every institution maintained
for the advancement and well-being Of
a people AS the disturbances Of the first
World War checked the educational ca
reers of thousands of young men and
women so will the draft and its roper
cussions change the careers Of thousands
Of youth Of today.
The problems that will arise after the
emergency is over may overshadow all
the anxiety that now exists. Tens Of
| thousands OF young men from small
towns and farms after serving a year in
training. and coming into contact with
the outside world and its attractions.
may find the routine of their former
places Of abode too drab and seek to find
place IN the labor markets which prob
ably will be overcrowded when demob-