February .t. 1921 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



317 



world depends upon increasing [irodiiction and saving waste ; and 

 if we don't come to that, there will be rocks upon which the nation 

 is to go. But we are coming to it — a liner spirit in work, and 

 we are getting better results both in the investment of capital 

 and in the employment of labor. 1 iliink it is the lincst omen 

 of the future that 1 know of. 



I have been somewhat frightened at the tendency of attempting 

 to Sovielize the industries of the country. We cannot afford to 

 look with an}' i)articular favor upon such a movement as that, 

 and I think we are VJassing over the danger point. Not only that 

 we sec better conditions in the emp.oyment of labor, but w'c 

 certainly, gentlemen, are going to move out on the sea to stay 

 tliere as a merchant marine country, for we have got the making 

 of as tine a merchant marine now as any nation outside of tlie 

 mother country. 



THIS IS THE RUBBER AGE 



These arc some of the evidences of our ability to look intn the 

 future. And what may be said of the great industry represented 

 by this group of men? Why, gentlemen, there isn't anything, in 

 my judgment, surer than the perpetuation of the rubber industry 

 wliich has, in a large degree, come to be so basic that you might 

 call this the Rubber Age, as a few years ago we would spenk 

 of it as the Electric Age. 



Our industries, our whole industrial life has been colored by 

 new developments along the line of this industry. And if, now 

 and then, we see some evidence of a slacking of business — and I 

 wouldn't be surprised if in the slumps there would not be some 

 severe suffering — yet, what about the S.OOO.fXK) of motors that 

 Iiave determined what largely our thought in business will be? 

 What about the l,500.tXX) motors required for replacement every 

 year when we were filled to our fullest capacity and could not 

 reach over 2,000,000? What about the upkeep necessary to run 

 those already manufactured? 



Why, the rubber business must go on or civilization could not 

 go as it now is. N^othing is more certain than that. So the out- 

 look is not gloomy. The outlook is wondrously auspicious. Wc 

 are going to enter upon a constructional era. We are retarded 

 because of the clogging of the current of business. 



THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION 



Referring to the international situation, Mr. Fess pointed 

 out that Europe is not yet on her feet and cannot really 

 begin to recover until the Allies fix the indemnity against 

 Germany. Meanwhile neither Germany nor France is at 

 work as will .afterward be the case. Germany does not in- 

 tend to place herself in a position where she might have 

 thrust upon her a greater indemnity. The United States has 

 not established trade relations with Germany because we are 

 not yet at peace. This, he believes, will be quickly and honor- 

 ably done after March 4, and he anticipates an early fi.xing of 

 the German indemnity, for the salvation of the world depends 

 on w-ork in both Europe and America. 



CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE 



Summarizing the present duties of government and business, 

 and emphasizing the importance of confidence in the future, 

 he concluded as follows: 



So I cannot see, ladies and gentlemen, anything but bright hope 

 for America. .And while this period of readjustment is going to 

 produce suffering, I beseech you do not attempt to prevent the 

 liquidation of the war; do not appeal to Congress to keep up the 

 price, because the price was produced by war. I cotne from an 

 agricultural center, and try farmers want me to vote to fi.x the 

 price of wheat. Why, that would be foolish and unwise. You in 

 the city would like to have the price come down and the country 

 wants the price to stay up. But the country wants the price to 

 stay up on the article that is sold and come down on the article 

 that is purchased. 



It is impossible, gentlemen, for Congress to so legislate that 

 you put the price down on the thing you buy and up on the thing 

 you sell. I am opposed to Congress interfering with prices any 

 more. I think the duty of Congress is to get the Government out 

 of business and let private enterprise have a chance. 



Consequently. I coinc to you with this message: First, let the 

 Government cut as far as it can : secondly, take immediate steps 

 against further extravagance; thirdly, revise the taxation system 

 and do away with that sort of system of tax that i>enalizes busi- 

 ness and is built upon the position that any man who has succeeded 

 must have been dishonest or he would not liave succeeded. 



And then, after the Government has done that, taken its hands 

 ofif of business, let the people, of whom you represent a magnificent 

 group, have faith and conlide:ice and look to the future. And the 

 moment that you begin to have conlidence in the future and invest 

 your money, labor will be employed, capital will be invested 

 and in my judgment we are going to enter upon one of the great- 

 est eras of business this nation has ever seen. 



POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLONDIN'S ADDRESS 



Honorable P. E. Blondin. Postinastcr General of the Do- 

 minion of Canada, who has held various cabinet portfolios 

 and other government offices, re- 

 viewed briedy the high light of 

 Canadian development and 

 achievement, especially with re- 

 spect to industries, water power, 

 railroads, highways, educatioa 

 :uid government. 



CANADIAN ACHIEVEMENTS 



Referring to the difficulties and 

 success of the Canadian Govern- 

 ment, he said : 



.^s for the Canadian federa- 

 tion, it was made as a compro- 

 mise, or rather as a bona fide at- 

 tempt to consolidate two races who 

 had learned more to hate than love 

 each other, and let me tell you, 

 gentlemen, that this bona fide at- 

 tempt has surpassed all possible 

 hopes. The past successes give us 

 llo.v. P. E. Bi,ONi)iN confidence in the future. When we 



.set- the results of half a century, notwithstanding obstacles that 

 seemed insurmountable ; when we compare our inhabited territory 

 u ith what it was forty years a.go ; when we think of the large 

 railway lines covering the whole country froin one ocean to the 

 other and the many steamers carrying our products on all the 

 seas; when we realize the prosperity of the nine Canadian, 

 provinces, need I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that we feet 

 in our hearts, the source of energy and perseverance, all the pa- 

 triotism which produced all these results, and that we feel our- 

 selves oidy at the starting point of a progressive march toward 

 greater achievements, making us your worthy and your friendly 

 neighbors? 



THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES 



He alluded with particular fervor to the long period of 

 mutual friendship and trust enjo3'ed by Canada and the United 

 States, which it is hoped may be more firmly cemented as 

 regards commercial relations by the newly organized Rubber 

 .Association of Canada, an outgrowth of the work of The 

 Rubber Association of America. That the two nations, each 

 in its sphere of influence, may always continue to set at» 

 example of friendship, and work in every way for peace ori' 

 earth, he expressed as the desire of the Canadian Government 

 and people. 



THE RUBBER INDUSTRY A CARRIER OF CIVILIZATION 



In recognition of the far-flung humanizing influences of the 

 rubber industry be remarked: 



Trade has always been the carrier of civilization; it is on the 

 wings of trade that the Gospel of God and all human truth has 

 reached the four corners of the world — and I am not afraid that 

 I am over-praising you if I add that no industry deserves more 

 credit than yours in that respect. 



DOCTOR BOYNTON'S ADDRESS 



The Reverend Nehemiah Boynton, of Brooklyn, New York, 

 who aptly styles himself pastor at large, spoke with eloquence, 

 wit and optimism in appreciation of the importance of the 

 finer sensibilities in business and international relations, and 

 pictured brilliantly the wonderful opportunities for helpful- 

 ness and progress in the ethical aspect of commercial and 

 world affairs. After alluding amusingly to his association 

 with the rubber industry, he warned against the provincial- 

 ness in human nature that sometimes induces men iinmersed 

 in their own affairs to think that the universe is bounded by 

 their particular calling, business or dwelling place. 



