The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-07-04

partnership and sufficient incomes for
the great majority Of wage-earners as
remedies for postwar economic condi-
lions in this country, the Administra-
tive Committee Of four bishops repre-
senting the hierarchy Of the Catholic
Church in America In conducting the
National Catholic War Council have
issued the following as a part Of an Of
fetal pronouncement on economic and
social reconstruction,
~~ = ~Aa
Reduction in Cost Of Living.
"During the war the cost Of living
Las risen at least seventy-fve per cent.
above the level Of 1913. Some check
has been placed upon the upward trend
by government fixing of prices in the
case of bread and coal and a few other
commodities. Even If we believe it de-
sirable we cannot ask that the govern
ment continue this action after the ar
ticles Of peace have been signed, for
neither public opinion nor Congress is
ready for such a revolutionary policy.
If the extortionate practices Of rhonop-
oily were prevented by adequate laws
and adequate law enforcement prices
would automatically be kept at as low
a level as that to which they might be
brought by direct government determi-
nation. Just what laws in addition to
those already on the statute books are
necessary to abolish monopolistic ex-
tortiOn Is a question Of detail that
need not be considered here. In pass
Ing, 1t may be noted that government
competition with monopolies that can
not be effectively restrained by the or
binary antitrust laws deserves more
serious consideration than 1t has yet
received.
Cooperative Stores.
"MOre important and more effective
than any government regulation of
prices would be the establishment OF
cooperative stores. The enormous toll
taken from industry by the various
classes Of middlemen is now fully real
lied. The astonishing difference be-
tween the price received by the pro-
Queer and that pad by the
has become a scandal to our industrial
system. The obvious and direct means
OF reducing this discrepancy and abol-
ishing. unnecessary middlemen Is the
operation of retail and wholesale mer-s
camille concerns under the ownership
and management Of the consumers.
This is no Utopian scheme. 1t has
been successfully carried out in Eng
land and Scotland through the Roch-
dale system. Very few serious efforts
of this kind have been made in this
country because our people have not
felt the need of these cooperative en-
terprises as keenly as the European
working classes ard because we have
been too impatient and too individual
ist.c to make the necessary sacrifices
and to be content with moderate bene-
fits and gradual progress. Neverthe-
less our superior energy, initiative and
commercial capacity will enable US
once we set about the task earnestly
w to surpass what has been done in
England and Scotland.
Train to Habits OF Saving.
IN addition to reducing the cost of
living, the cooperative stores would
train our working people and con-
sumers generally In habits Of saving, in
careful expenditure, In business meth
DDS and in the capacity for co-opera-
ton. When the working classes have
learned to make the Sacrifices and to
exercise the patience required by the
ownership and operation OF co-opera-
tive stores they will be equipped to un-
dertake q great variety Of tasks and
projects which benefit the community
Immediately and all it's constituent
members ultimately. They will then
realize the folly Of excessive selfish
ness and senseless individualism. Until
they have acquired this knowledge,
training and capacity. desirable extern
sions Of governmental action In indus
try will not be attended by a normal
amount Of success. No machinery Of
government can operate automatically,
and no official and bureaucratic admin
istrAtion OF such machinery can ever
bp q substitute for intelligent interest
and cooperation By the individuals Of
the community.
Ultimate ReformA
.Despite the practical and imme-
date character Of the present state
ment, we cannot entirely neglect the
question Of ultimate aims and a sys-
tematic program, for other groups are
busy issuing such systematic pro-
Legitimate Prey.
One day a little old woman appeared
at the parsonage to be married to an
old man. The woman was bent over
SO much one had to stoop to look
Into her face. The bridegroom was
deaf as a post.
l All the time the pastor vas making
out the necessary papers the woman
talked and muttercd to herself. say
ing: u don't know why that stingy
old man wants to get married. He
doesn't want to pay q cook, that's all.
Make him pay well, parson. He's
.xn~+N ~ Has unt n farm and lntS IF