Page:Frank David Ely -Why defend the nation? Sound Americanism... (1924).pdf/54

50 Does the country know all this? It probably does—at least somebody knows something of each of the many features of the law, and of the various workings thereunder, including the skimpiness of the appropriations. But there is no question but that the country does not realize the inexpediency and unwisdom of the short-sighted course that is being run.

National Defense is merely national insurance. Admittedly, the recent expenses of the government were excessive and had to be reduced. But no less admittedly, wisdom demands that they be reduced in accordance with sound business principles and practice.

Now when individuals or partnerships or corporations reduce expenses, they don't, as a part measure, cut their insurance below the net value of their inventories. Yet Congress, in reducing expenses, led (not followed) a noted movie comedian who has grown more or less famous through scenes which appear under the caption of "Safety Last." And that is the play we are nationally staging today, and which we have been staging from the day the demobilization of our World War forces was completed.

How does it strike you, neighbor? Are you in favor of continuing the act? Or will you join in a popular demand that the old actors either stage a better play or that they be discharged and more up-to-requirement-political-business-military-scientific artists replace them in a new scene?

If the country wants protection it can have it, whether it be a high tariff against manufactured imports, a quarantine against disease, a special branch of service to prevent the counterfeiting of its currency, or an effective insurance against invasion and attack. And if any of these be determined upon by the people as necessary to the country, then the people should assure themselves that their wishes are carried out.

Our immediate needs are those of authorization so far as concerns this question of National Defense; in other words, our present needs can be entirely met by legislative action. That action taken, the army from top to bottom, rank and file, can be trusted to quickly complete all necessary details and start efficiency rolling; and like the snow ball of our boyhood, rolled