The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1919-09-09
STRIKES CAUSE
MUCH TROUBLE
italian Economists and Statesmen
Are Given New Spurs to Study
Big Problems of Day-"Rulc
Without Rule"

ROME, Sept. 9.-Intermttent and
sporadic strikes, which have produc-
ed throughout Italy conditions in
some instances approximating Bolshe-
vism, in others a kind of socialism
and in still others localized anarchy,
have given Italian political econo-
mists and statesmen new spurs to
study and remedial action.
There has been rule without rule"
according to foreign observers. The
government agencies long established
for the administration of public af-
fairs existed but failed to function.
Municipal authorities, communal Of
ficials and representatives of the
state admitted they were helpless to
deal with the unusual situations
which rendered inactive the preroga-
tives of those in power. Striking
workmen forced demands upon
helpless commercial class it is point
ed out while the authorities merely
looked on "in obedience to the will
of the disturbers.''
Styled Camera del Lavoro.
The organizations throughout
Italy that planned the newest depar-
ture in governmental and economic
administration were styled Camera
del Lavoro. A literal translation
would define them as Chamber of La
Dor but their functions went much
beyond the province of labor, as one
ordinarily conceives that province,
and extended so far that prices were
arbitrarily fixed and the sale of COM
modities ordered.
The merchant seems to have been
the one who has suffered most by the
adventure" His stocks were COM
mandeered by the Camera del Law
orc, if he did not show the disposi- |
tion to sell at the prices fixed by that |
organization. In most cases, the arbi- !
trary reduction of fifty percent was
exacted on all commodities regard /
less of the cost of the goods, the con-
dition of the market or the rate of |
foreign exchange or any of the fac
tors which determine selling prices. |
There were examples of forced reduc-
tions as low as seventy percent but
these were few.
The Camera del Lavoro would set
the day on which the new scale of
prices would take effect. Some of the
merchants refused to open their
stores but there were worse thing"
in readiness for them. Those stores
opened were crowded with people
anxious to benefit by the change
There never was such business in
any of the merchant establishments
throughout Italy. Every storekeeper
needed between ten and fifty SOL
diers or policemen to keep the crowd
in order. There was such a rush for
bargains that, in many places, the
situation quickly changed to violent
disorder in which many innocent
women and children were either
trampled upon or received painful
handling by the mobs.
Wine Sold Readily.
In the case of food, there was little
to be done but to hand the ready Gus
toners, the product for which they
asked. Canned meats could be hand
ed out with out much trouble. Wine,
which is no luxury in Italy, was sold
at considerable reduction, one dol
lar flasks going in many cases for fif-
teen cents. Wine could be easily
handled and sold. So could veget-
ables and fruits and the usual table
products.
But, when it came to the distribu-
tion of clothing and shoes, the real
trouble began: While the clothing
establishments did not receive ss
much a rush as the shoe establish
ments they were crowded enough and
the scramble for proper sizes and tit
,ings was veritable catch-ascatch-
IAN The attempts of the salesmen
anI saleswomen of the shops to serve
patr' rs was a faila"e, and they con.
tpted themselves merely with receiv-
'.s the small crsl payments that
we're made by the bacgajn-hunters.
It is said in Mexico City, that one of
he banks of Ell Paso, Texas, has re-
used to accept any more deposits