Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-05
TEN TIMES THE WAGE INCREASES
tCedar Rapids Republican,


tCedar Rapids Republican,
The coal mine operators are re-
ferrins to the recent Concessions to
the miners as another reason for an
other raise in prices But suppose
that the whole increase were added to
the cost Of coal to the consumers. Tha.
would mean only from 20 to 30 cents
ton as we understand the figures
But where the miners have demanded
that much OF an increase for them
selves. the coal manufacturers will
probably add dollars to the price And
they will put all the blame on the
miners demands. So far as labor
costs are concerned the coal prices
could not have been marked up more
than fifty or seventy-fl cents a ton
1t is not what is paid TO the miners
that makes the trouble for the con-
sumers. The owners and operators Of
coal mines have been making more
than they are entitled to make.
But they have $50 far overshot the
mark that they may feel the hand OF
the government laid upon them. In
times like these the owners and oper-
ators should be permitted to charge
no more for coal than the cost Of pro-
duction at the mines. plus interest and
dividends, that is reasonable profits,
1t is not permissible for all the coal
barons to be converted into million
aires out of the sufferings and sacri-
fees forced upon the people by the
present state of things. VIE need
little clear thinking and courageous
action on the part Of the government
and it should be done before the mil
lionaires have lined their nests and the
people have paid the prices OF extor-
tons. We have millionaires enough
in the land and we have martyrs to
present conditions too many already
Pension Law Planned by Experts.
Mayor Mitchels commentator and
signature OF the new teachers pension
bill sends It to the governor with what
| amounts to guarantee that It is the
result of intelligent study Of compli-
| Gated problem, made by experts. and
| that it is sound from the actuarial
point OF view. which Is an important
merit possessed by none Of its prede-
cessors in this state. There is an Inn
plication Of criticism OF some of It's pro-
visions in the mayors statement that
"in my Judgment the city's contribu-
tions to its cost are notably generous,
but the people Of the city, like himself,
would prefer being notably generous,
to being notably penurious or stingy,
in caring for its public school teach
ers when disabled or retired after long
service.
| The error, il it be one, 10 on the right
side, and the only demand or insistence
on the part Of the public created by y
will be for firm holding Of the teach-
ers to professional and civic standards
commensurate with the privileges the!
enjoy and the generosity from which
they benefit There must be no doub!
about the efficiency OF any member o.
the teaching force; they must be made
to realize that time spent in playing
the role OF lobbyists In Albany is time
Ill spent, and that refusals on the par
OF any OF them TO give pledge OF 10y.
. atty that no good citizen would nesl'
! tate to give. any more than does
president OF the United states to swear
when he takes office that he VIII sup
port its constitution, will not DO toier
lated.
, The old pension plan was also "nota
lbly generous" but II was fqrsiiy IN
sound in that the obligations y -
!, sumed could be met only BY esnefgenc'