"A just price must, of course, be
paid for everything the government
buys. By a just price I mean a price
which will sustain the Industries con
cerned In a high state of efficiency,
provide a living for those who con
duct them, enable them to pay good
wages, and make possible the ex
pansions of their enterprises which
will from time to time become neces
sary as the stupendous undertakings
of this great war develop,
Must Face the Facts.
"We could not wisely or reasonably
do less than pay such prices. They
are necessary for the maintenance
and development of industry, and the
maintenance and development of in
dustry are necessary for the great task
we have in hand.
"But I trust that we shall nqt sur
round the matter with a mist of sen
timent. Facts are our masters now.
We ought not to put the acceptance
of such prices on the ground of patri
otism."
"Patriotism has nothing to do with
profits in a case like this. Patriotism
and profits ought never in the present
circumstances be mentioned together.
"It Is perfectly proper to discuss
profits as a matter of business, with a
view to maintaining the integrity of
capital and the efficiency of labor In
these tragical months, when the lib
erty of free men everywhere and of
industry itself trembles in the bal
ance but it would be absurd to dis
cuss them'as a motive for helping to
serve and save our country.
