The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-10-25
Other Mems Views
An Editorial That May or May Not
Square With The Forums
Opinions.

The Chicago Tribune: 1t wasn't so
long ago that the farmers and re-
tailers were blaming the middlemen
that is. the wholesalers, jobbers,
and speculators-for high prices.
The farmers in particular bitterly
complained that the middlemen were
grabbing all the profits, while the
retailers professed they were likewise
the victims Of the same unscrupulous
gentry.
There is no question the middle
men did their share in price boost
ing. But If we may take the word
of Mr.. Hoover all that has now been
changed. Wholesalers are co-operat-
ing with the government to reduce
prices, but the consumer, 1t appears,
has no benefit from their efforts be-
cause Of the recalcitrant attitude Of
the producers and the retailers.
Growers associations. Mr.. Hoover
says, have boarded their products
to get higher prices. while retailers
have refused or failed to make re-
ductions even after the wholesalers
reduced their prices.
Before the food law was passed
the wholesalers averred that out
side" spectators were forcing up
prices and that legitimate dealers
were unable to check the advance.
The food law. however, conferred au-
thority on the government to regu-
late middlemen and to exclude specu-
lators. That authority apparently
has been exercised to good advan-
tage, and, it should be observed.
without producing any noticeable
disturbance in the wholesale food
business.
The regulation of wholesalers.
however, is obviously of little value
as long as producers and retailers
are free to consult only their own
selfishness. Mr.. Hoover, 1t Is an
nounced, intends to resort to pub
licity to shame them out Of 1t. but
fruitful. II present conditions con-
tinue, producers and retailers need
not be surprised If a public demand
should arise to give the food admin
stration full control of both produc-
ton and distribution.
The Christian Science Monitor:
Throughout the entire United States
II appears that the labor situation
is, at the present time, very much
unsettled. No sooner is one difficulty
disposed Of than another bobs up to
take it's place. 1t is disuuieting, be-
cause Of the war conditions and the
high cost Of living entailed. Repeated
wage advances have served TO
smooth things over for a while. but
the continued advances themselves
contribute largely to the rising cost
of living. During the stress Of the
times. and on account Of the alb
normal demand for labor in every
avenue Of industry, 1T has been an
easy matter for labor to get what
it asked, until wages have now be-
come higher than ever before.
Whatever may be the ultimate
outcome of the labor disputes now In
progress. and Of those which may
yet come. the one vitality important
question, just now, is the success OF
the United States and its allies in
the prosecution of the war. All labor
disputes should be settled by arbi-
tration. and strikes should be
avoided at all cost. 1t is time for
seIf-sacrifice on the part Of both EN-
ployer and employe. The success of
the United States depends largely
on its productivity, both in time of
peace and in time of war. This being
the case, the success of the individ-
ual must, in no small measure. de-
pend on his own productivity. There
is the utmost need of the United
states producing all It can at the
present time. Men who clamor for
higher wages should not demand
shorter hours at the same time.
Rather, they should offer to work
longer hours, If for no other purpose
than a patriotic one. The war is go
ing to be won by the United States
and its allies, and the conflict will
now probably be Of short duration,
IL the people. Of the United States
Determine to produce all they can,
as fast as they can, and consume as
little as they can.
1t seems that one great stroke
which the United States government
could make, just at this time, would
be 70 inculcate patriotic sentiment
among the country's workers in every
field Of activity, Campaign speakers
could be sent to industrial centers,
where they could carry the message
Of patriotism and democracy. with
the object Of nuelling labor disturb
ances and inducing men 20 be more
productive In their work, IL would
mean iarger success for the men
themselves. prosperity foF their eul-
ployers, and victory for their ceuns
try