Vagabond Editorials

from Page 7) delighted to see those things incorporated into our permanent ways of doing business. But, unfortunately Governmental control rnust in the long run mean political control. And, to place the reins that today direct industry and commerce into the wanton hands of the politician would be unthinkable. The biggest racket the world has yet known would be mild by comparison. For which reason I cling to the belief that when this depression ends and this emergency passes, we will go back to running our afrairs once again in the manner and means privileged to us by the Constitution. Some of the present philosophies may continue. But, the rule will end.

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History offers abundant testimony that great and momentous developments for and of humanity have invariably been the aftermaths of the panics and depressions of the past; portentous forward thrusts of progress and improvement have been the step-children of these times of great distress. Numerous of the greatest boons that have come to humanity have been the direct and immediate products of panics. Yes, historX bids*us*hope.

So, let us now believe that blqssings will follow this present depression that will atone and compensate in some measure for the grief and sorrow that has attended it. And, perhaps a bigger and better understanding and practice of the brotherhood of man will be the chiefest of these that we may look forward to. We are demonstrating today as never before in the history of this scarred old world that we believe we ARE our brothers' keeper. Those who HAVE are sharing with those who HAVE NOT as never before in history. And, I believe that the passing of the financial cloud will leave the spirit which now prevails so deeply imbedded in our hearts and consciousness, that fellowship will continue when good times return, and the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God will be more definitely a part of our entire existence than we ever dreamed of before.

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Frequently of late men with axes to grind tell us in impressive terms that this is the worst depression in history. Pardon me if I very stoutly doubt that statement. For several years now I have been'devouring whatever reliable testimony has come my lvay concerning the history of the world as it has been affected by panics and depressions. True, we have had more people job-less than ever before; we have lost more money than ever before; we owe more money than ever before. But, let us not forget that there are more people to be job-less than ever before, but that the unemployed have NOT sufiered as in previous depressions; that we lost more money simply because we were doing business with bigger figures than at any previous time; and we owe more for the same reason.

Read the history of any past depression and see if the signs of mirth and happiness you see all about you today -and for years past-were ever known in those times. Read descriptions of the days of 1819, 1832, 1852, 1823, and 1893. Then look about you today. Thousands upon thousands of theatres filled to overflowing, and people waiting in line for the chance to pay exorbitant prices to be entertained. Almost countless millions of dollars paid in the past seaSon to see amateur football games. Boxing matches, wrestling matches patronized as never before in history. Cafes without number selling food to people too carefree to cook their own. Race tracks jammed by masses of people fighting for a chance to lose their cash. Luxuries of all kinds gobbled up at high prices, cosmetics alone taking a toll of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Look out into the street and estimate the cost of our national joy-ride. You're watching our .,depressed" people burn up three billion dollars worth of gasoline and oil a year, as they go about seeing the sights. Figure the annual motor car investment and depreciation ! We are stunned at Mr. Roosevelt's estimate of our national debt. Yet our auto bill would pay it in full very quicky. Our luxury expense account would wipe it out in a few years, interest and all. And, I'm talking about our luxury bill of TODAY-not some time past. you can go on into volumes listing signs that point not to poverty. you'll find nothing of the kind in the past great depressions. At least we can say that this one is different.

Just finished reading a very unsual book; ,.Sunny Meadows," written by my Iriend Thomas Dreier, of Melvin Village, New Hampshire, whose delightful writings I have often quoted in these columns. He lives on a wonderful farm, in a restful, and soul-building *oodetr home, and the book is just peaceful ramblings in the fields, and woods, and over the hills of that lovely New England country. It is a restful and delightful vacation just to ramble with Toin in this book. In the back of the book is a beautiful picture of their farm house, built of hewn timbers held together by wooden pegs, and brand new and lovely after 150 years of service. The book is published by The Stratford Company, Boston, Mass., and costs two dollars.