The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1918-12-31
GENERAL CONDITIONS

GENENAL CONUII1ONS
The problem confronting the country
is not one Of resumption Of industrial &C.
tivity, but Of the transfer Of activity to
other lines. The plants and other facili-
ties are at hand, but new or changed
equipment will be necessary, and, Of
course, markets must be built up for the
new products.
Some Of the effects Of the war win be
Of permanently favorable character.
The public has been educated as never
before to the possibility and advantage
Of saving; and to the existence of other
means Of saving than through saving
bank deposits. The government has is
sued an immense amount of Liberty
bonds and will make at least one more
issue. These bonds have been taken in
small denominations by small investors,
many Of whom never owned a security
Of any kind before. It is reasonable to
assume that many of these will continue
to save, and to invest portion of their
savings in bonds. This will bring a change
in the attitude of these small investors
toward corporations, and will do much
to lessen the present altogether artificial
and unwarranted hostility between labor
and capital.
The first Of our troops have returned
from the European battle line, and the
movement win continue steadily, though
slowly, until all have returned and have
been mustered out. These men will re
sumo the normal occupations Of peace,
which will mean large increase in the
supply Of labor, as compared with the
existing conditions. For some years to
come it is probable that immigration will
be greatly curtailed. The countries Of
Europe have lost so great percentage
Of their workers that they will discour
age emigration, while the United States
Is likely to enforce even more stringent
regulations in order to keep out foreign
labor. If this country is to increase its
production, therefore, it will have to do
SO through increased efficiency, either Of
the individual worker or Of machinery.
There are indications that the labor inter-
ests Of the country, I'm part at least pur-
pose to resist any reduction in wages,
without regard to the general conditions.
It is hardly believable, from theeconomic
standpoint, that wages can be maintain
ed indefinitely at the level brought about
BY The extreme shortage Of labor due to
the w;lr.
% men return from the service Of
tha United States to normal industrial
!, and the supply Of labor increas-
- tendency Of wages will be down
espite> any attempt to maintain
~ articifial means. Innumerable
attempts have been made to abrogate the
"a supply and demand, but with no
srccess. The workingmen wish to main
tain the present wage scale, because Of
the high cost Of living, an argument
as great force, and an undoubted
basis in fact. On the other hand, the high
cost of living is ascribed with truth large
Re high schedule Of wages.
solution has been suggested by a
crficial Of the United States Steel
tion which gives some promise
SIS. He calls attention to the fact
iron and steel industry is con-
the basic industry of the country
It any change in prices of these
!. !. > IS promptly reflected in all 9TH
stries. If the iron and steel in
therefore, should reduce the price
products, while maintaining the
scale Of wages, prices Of other
would decline, the cost Of living
reduced, and then wages could
ed in proportion, without placing