Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1918 — THE BUSINESS OF WAR [ARTICLE]

THE BUSINESS OF WAR

Perhaps the American people will never fully realize that they are at war until they understand that is a business, and in this case their supreme business. The statement of Secretary McAdoo made public yesterday ought to do something to enlighten and awaken them. There is no need, as yet, for people to pinch themselves, but there is every reason why production and consumption should be adjusted to war demands. The readjustment will come gradually, and there heed be no shock to business, for there wjll be use for every fibre of our raw material and for all our labor. The wool, for Instance, that has been bought for private use, will be needed more and' more for socks, sweaters, hel-

mets, clothing and blankets for, the soldiers. It is clear, therefore, that men engaged in making woolen articles for private consumption will by degrees be transferred to work for government and army needs. We use these cases merely as illustrations. The people have already recognized the principle in connection with wheatless and meatless days. There was plenty of meat and wheat for all in the United States, but there was not enough to feed them and to support the armies in France, and relieve the needs of the civilian population of the nations associated with us in this war. Our primary business is to meet these demands, and to buy Liberty bonds "and Thrift stamps. That there will have to be many new adjustments is perfectly clear. The question is one of making them as easily as possible, and with the least amount of disturbance and friction. “So far as I have been able to observe,” says the secretary of the treasury, “the American people are not sufficiently aroused to the necessity of economy and of saving in this really serious time, not only in the life of America but of the nations of the world.”

This is in no way surprising. There is more money to spend than there ever was before. More than that, it is widely distributed. People who enjoyed few luxuries a few years ago are now able to indulge in them. All that is suggested now is that when our people think of business they should get it in their minds that war is our great business. There is no danger that there will not be enough work and wages for all. Even after retrenchment has-been carried to its limit, the volume of business will be larger than it is now, for the demands of the government will steadily increase. We should think of the government as the greatest buyer in the market and should gladly give it the right of way. Foreigners visiting the United States have been surprised and gratified at the extent of the conservation that has already been put into effect, small as it seems to be to some of us. The people have done well. The industrial as well as the military forces of the nation must be put into the war in the most effective way. There is no patriotic American who would not give up the use of meat and wheat altogether if he knew that the soldiers in Fjan'ce needed these articles of food. The principle is clear. The

question is as to its application.— Indianapolis News.