Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1920 — AMERICAN CO-OPERATION IS NEEDED [ARTICLE]

AMERICAN CO-OPERATION IS NEEDED

The extent to which the world is out of joint—and there is need for co-operation to get it back into smooth working condition —is illustrated by ‘the reports from Paris, Ramie and Kansas City. Italy is about to restore the food card system of rationing that was in force during the war. Paris has imposed restrictions on restaurants, limiting the menus to two courses. It is reported that if the situation is unimproved, soon Paris will order the observance of two meatless days each week. Kansas City reports 2,500 men laid off at the packing houses because of the slump in exports. The food situation in Paris, no doubt, is due very largely to the railway strike inaugurated in France, but that does not apply in Italy. There is shortage of food in Italy just as there is in Austria and some other parts of Europe/ While thousands across the Atlantic are getting along on, reduced rations, the packers in Kansas City have had ito shut down because of a surplus of products piled up in this country. We have more food than we can use and a large proportion of the people do not have enough because of the trade resulting from the war.

The solution of the problem for hungry Europeans and ifor our packers and producers who are obliged to curtail operations is in such readjustment of international trade relations as will make it possible for those who need our prodimcts to buy them. Some nearstatesmen in the senate may contend that we can get along satisfactorily without belonging to the league Of nations, but they can not show how it is possible for us to keep out of foreign markets and not suffer industrial depression. Italy not only wants our food and awr coal, but urgently needs them and is willing to pay, if that 'is made possible. • It is to'our advantage, as well as >to the interest of Europeans, to get the world back to a stable peace basis at the earliest possible moment. We can not hope for normal trade relations so long as exchange conditions practL cally bar prospective customers from our markets. There should be such helpful co-operation on our

part as will enable less fortunate people to weather the present crisis. —lndianapolis Star.