Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-07
MlDVALE STEEL MEN
URGE SANE DOCTRINE
Take Ground Favoring Increased
Production as Means to Reduce
Cost of Living.
By }. s. RACHE 4 co.

II should be a matter of record.
well preserved. that the Midvale steel
workers sounded the first note of
sane doctrine for labor throughout
the world in this period of serious
upheaval among the working classes
in all parts of the earth.
Their Injunction that efforts to in
crease wages should cease and the
best energies of the laboring world
be devoted to increasing production
and SO releasing the destructive pres
sure which a nearly universal lack
Of supply was insistently enerting
is worthy of a convention of pro-
found thinkers.
So full of constructive common
sense and an amazing apprehension
of cause and effect in the real siAua-
procedure have to propose, that We
print in full the resolutions expound-
should be taken in restoring the
balance of reason from which the
whole working world has been carried
off by the war.
There were ninety-three members
of the committee of employees of the
Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company
present at the meeting at Atlantic
City a week ago. when the resolu-
lions were adopted. These members
ing plan supported by Midvale work.
men. 1t may be claimed that these
delegates were of an unusually intel
Iigent character and stand above the
rank and file of workmen in the COM
pany. Even SO, the brains and con-
servative purpose Of the thousands
who elected them are shown by the
fact that from their number they
chose the best.
The full text of the resolutions
follows:
Whereas. the high cost of living
needs to be abated by diligent, eff
ficient and conscientious labor, by
thrift and by avoidance of waste and
extravaganza; and
Whereas, the price of commodities
is regulated by the days labor of
man and the real unit of value or
the unit of compensation is not a dol
lar. but the purchasing price of
dollar. and that the price of all
things. meaning the average price of
everything we use and consume.
average price of commodities. is fixed.
regulated, raised or lowered by the
average compensation received for
one hours work by every man and
every woman: and
Whereas We believe the only sure
remedy for the high cost of living is
increased production and the stabil-
| ization of prices in conformity with
wages now being paid; and
Whereas we believe any workman
| who demands a greater proportionate
return for his labor than his fellow
workmen in other lines are getting
| is as guilty of profiteering as grocer
who charges exorbitant prices for the
necessities of life, and that increases
in wages paid to certain classes OF
| workers by the government or others
will result in higher prices being set
! by the profiteers for the necessities
of living to all purchasers alike: 1t
| is, therefore.
Resolved, That the persistent and
unceasing demand of workmen en-
ployed in all classes and kinds of in
dustries for a shorter days work and
an increased wage in order to meet
the present high cost of living is un-
economic and unwise and should not
| be encouraged.
| Resolved, further. That private mo-
nopolies should be controlled and
profits restricted to rate that shall
| be fair to the consumer;
! Resolved, further. That unnecessary
exports of food and clothing be re-
istricted and that all stores of-hoarded
supplies be uncovered and placed in
the open market:
/ Resolved, further, That copies OF
this resolution be forwarded to the
President. of the United States. to the
senators in Congress from Pennsyl-
vania and to the congressman Of the
various districts in which are located
the various plants Of the Midvale
Steel and Ordnance Company. and to
the state and municipal authorities,
| to the end that they may, by al the
powers and means to them available,
endeavor to bring about normal con :
ditions, with special privileges to
| none, but justice to all, and sure and
swift retribution for those who may
attempt to profiteer in the necessities
of life.