The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-12

NEW YOKh, oept. O.-EV1QenCeS
are increasing that more rational
view of the situation is being taken
hv labor leaders as we'll as by the
rank and file of union labor in various
parts of the country. Until there are
positive developments one way or the
other, the progress of the labor dis
putes will be the most absorbing topic
before the public.
A number of interesting side-lights
have shown that labor leaders have
been slowly but surely losing the con-
troll over their members hitherto
boosted of. A number of unauthorized
strikes have taken place in California
and Nevada, disorganizing business
and traffic, and calling forth the Sc
we're condemnation of union leaders.
They are now disposed to use their
efforts in support of the presidents
program for lowering the price of
commodities, especially since it is ap-
parent that satisfactory progress has
followed the initial effort The rail-
road men have also apparently con-
Cured in this view of the situation,
and they have extended intelligent eff
forts to discountenance and discourage
the lawlessness of the radical elements.
in their ranks.
Profits Not Large.
There is small ground for the con-
tention of labor parties that the cor
porations have benefited enormously
by reason of the high prices and prof
its prevailing during the war period.
Most of the corporations, after in
stalling necessary new machinery,
making good their depreciation, pay
ing their excessive war taxes and the
exorbitant demands of labor, had a
comparatively small share of the spoils
left either as profits or as surplus.
There are some corporations which
have paid out large dividends during
the past few years, but then also
there are many others whose share
holders have received very little ex-
ira during the war period, most of the
additional profits being turned back
into surplus. In the case of some, no
payments have been made at all, the
war profits being used to wipe out
debts accrued during the lean years
before 1914. Therefore, it is only
natural that the share holders, the
owners of those concerns, are entitled
to a division of the extra profits in
view of the increases granted to labor
in general.
under government operation and with
heavy transportation of troops and
war materials have made no profits
during the past two years, yet the rail-
road employe is the best paid of any of
our workingmen He is still demand
ing more. AS to the advance in the
cost of living since the war began, il
certainly cannot be shown as to rail-
way employees in general that the ad-
vances in their wages have not kept
pace with the increases in the cost of
living. The results of all the investi-
cations which have been made indi-
cate that the increase in the cost of
living during the five years since the
war in Europe began has been ap-
proximately 80 per cent.
Labor Climbs, Too.
In the year ended Junes30, 1914, the
average earnings of railroad employee
were $50. In the year ended June 80,
1915, they were 1927. In June, 1919,
the railways had 1,848774 employees,
whose average earnings for the month
were SIPS. At this rate the average
per employee per year would be 81 500,
but additional advances have been
granted since then which make the
average present earnings of railroad
employee at least 81, 533 year. Com
pared with 1915, therefore, the aver
age increase in earnings per employee
is IS per cent, while compared with
1914 the average is 80 per cent The
increases exceed the increase in the
cost of living.
1t is said that the number of labor
men on strike or threatening to go on
strike ,s probably the greatest ever
known in this country; but there is
evidence that aroused public opinion
will pervent general paralysis of bust
ness because of the impossibility of
granting their extortionate demands.
In fact, the sober second thought of
the so-called labor element is work
ing to prevent these unions from
coming to trial of strength with the
country as whole, which, if it comes
about, cannot fail to have disastrous
effects for everybody. 1t is doubtful
if the unions, conceded now to be at
the peak of their power, care to pre-
cipitate struggle which is certain to
prove as injurious to them as to the
rest of the country.
Food Prices Highest in July.
The u. S. Department of Labor
stated last week that retail prices OF
food reached the highest recorded
point during the month of July. Using
twenty-five articles of food as basis,
the department report shows that July
prices were per cent above those
of December, 1918, the previous high
point, and were ; per cent above
those for June. AS timely comment
upon this statement, il might be said
that Bradstreet's Weekly Food Index
of thirty-one articles at wholesale also
reached its highest point in July. The
number on July 81 was $3.50, an an
vance of 80 per cent over July 2 and