Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1917 — Both Patriotism and Prudence Call for the Practice of Thrift Now [ARTICLE]

Both Patriotism and Prudence Call for the Practice of Thrift Now

By S. W. STRAUS

Pretideot of the American Society tor Thrift

As time advances and demands, in amount, are made oh the resources of the country in order to supply the needs of the military situation, we shall see greater and still greater need for thrift. Let us hope that conditions here will never duplicate those abroad. No matter what the situation may become with us, we will find the practices of thrift of particular value.The_lollowing appeal for thrift_iji England can be taken as the theme for some solemn thinking in this country: , ' ♦ "“Ten shillings saved, say on feasting, equals eight cartridges. Bottle of champagne equals 400 cartridges. Lady’s new hat equals four steel helmets. New dress eqviala four serv ice ri ties. equals one fieldgun. Motorcar equals airplane. Piano equals 100 shells. Lapdog equals 20 shells.” The department of agriculture has been qdiick to recognize the necessity of thrift in the present emergency and has not only sent out many suggestions, but is helping in concrete ways to increase the nation s food supply- ' If we should send 5,000,000 soldiers and nurses to the front, there would still be more than 95,000,000 citizens left in civil life. Let them be organized into a mighty army of thrift, 95,000,000 strong! Can you imagine the tremendous strength of this republic if every man, woman and child set about the task of eliminating waste? Bear in mind, always that it is only through thrift that the nation will be able to get the last ounce of strength_atits, command. Let us remember, also, that voluntary thrift will possibly make unnecessary compulsory 7 thrift. It is easier to begin giving up unnecessary things now and get used to it, than to be compelled to pi voTip actual Comfort a later-on. —Beth patriotism and pru--dence should actuate us to practice thrift immediately. In view of the added need of thrift, it is pleasing to note that the 250,000 schoolchildren of Philadelphia are being taught thrift in a very practical way. They are taking advantage of the shortage of paper, and are gathering up all the old papers and magazines that have hitherto been wasted, and are bringing them to school. On a given day each week these papers are sold. This is not a new idea, and it has been written about a number of .times, but there is no better way of' giving the children a conrrete pxample of conservation and thrift. All the studying the children could do would not produce the results that really doing the thing themselves would. Waste paper from the classrooms alone of the Philadelphia public schools has brought in about $20,000 a year.