The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-05-23
LABOR AFTER THE WAR.

LABOR AFTER THE WAR.
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1t is little early in the opinion of most people
to worry regarding labor conditions after the war
Nevertheless, if foresight in this regard will en-
able us the better grapple with unfavorable condi'
tons, then foresight is eminently justified.
In some quarters the fear is expressed that
hundreds of thousands of emigrants will return
to their native countries Immediately the cessa-
ton of hostilities enables them to cross the seas.
In support of this contention it is pointed out that
steamship companies have already booked passage
for, not thousands, but hundreds of thousands of
such people. The fear is expressed that peace will
as a result bring a serious labor shortage.
This argument disregards, however, the nor
NAL pre-war conditions. In 1918, for instance, sta
~tistics show that Gil, 1924 workers returned from
the UnitedStates to their own countries. Normal
ly, hundreds of thousands of workers have gone
back every year. Under the abnormal conditions
of 1916, only 240,807 workers re-crossed the seas.
Naturally, there will be many waiting to return
when peace arrives, who would have returned in
three years of war had they been able to do so.
Doubtless they will return to their own coun-
tries when the opportunity comes, but it is a ques-
ton if what they find there will render them anx-
ious to stay. Before the war, the United States
drew an immense tide of immigration annually
from the old lands. After the war, conditions in
Europe will hardly be improved. Indeed, the belli-
gerents, staggering under huge war obligations,
may be compelled to resort to drastic prohibitions
in order to keep their people at home.
After the war, America will still be, what it
has been for a century and more, the country of
opportunity; and-unless the European govern
ments or our own intervene to stop 1.-THE west
ward tide of immigration is pretty sure to con-
tinue.
n IA "a "a
DOWN WITH THE FOOD HOG.
We pirate loudly of our patriotism and our
duty to the flag; we call Historically upon the
farmer to speed up production of food crops; we
even seize our spade and hoe and attack the back
yard in our efforts to add to the sum total of pro-
duction. All of which is good-very good.
But one highly important feature of the prob
lem before US must not escape our attention.
THE FOOD HOG MUST BE PENNED.
Any sane man knows that a large per cent. of
the really extortionate prices of today are NOT the
result of an alarming scarcity. They are the re-
suit of an ~insatiate greed for gain that takes
no account of the dictates Of common humanity.
And this greed is not confined to the wicked
trusts. They are bad enough, we all know, and
there is no excuse to be made for, them. But
many men in'more humble positions are equally
avaricious.
Merchants who buy on a rising market and
hoard their purchases until the price suits them
before turning loose the farmer who holds his
corn for So while his neighbors clamor in vain to
buy it at the market price-both are equally
guilty.
We have heretofore asserted that high prices
are an epidemic. They get started on the upward
slant, and every fellow who has a surplus at once
locks his doors and holds for killing.
And right now they are making a killing-they
are killing their country.
The man who has a commodity for sale, but
refuses to sell at market prices, is a menace to his
country in this emergency and should be severely
dealt with. If the law can not reach him, there
is yet public opinion, by which he should be pill
Dried.
IA n n n
LET THE GOVERNMENT ACT.
The foodstutfs of the country are in hands of
a horde Of unprincipled scoundrels who are suck
ing the nation dry in their efforts to get rich quick
from speculative profits. -
They will continue to suck and bleed as long
as there is a pound or a dollar left unless the gov
eminent is quick to act.
With the young manhood of the nation march,
ing out to val and death, it is a crime against
the state for these d~astardly leeches to be allow
ed longer to prey upon the helpless public.
The government should act without an hours