The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-08-10
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD

the New maven, chicago and Alton
Rock island and Frisco lines" were
not sporadic examples of the high
way robbery TO which the American
nation has been subjected as TO it.
public transportation highways"
The Plumb plan has been incorpor
ated in the Sims bill, now pending il
the House.
Mr.. Sims has explained that he in.
troduced the bill by request as he
would any other.
Referring TO labor's plan for pub
lie ownership, the tri-partite plan
Mr.. Plumb said:
This vast army of producers for
whom | apear are not divided. They
present no conflicting plans, no adj
verse solution for this problem, but
appear before you a united force
profoundly convinced of the econom-
ic soundness Of the principles upon
which their plan is built,
Consideration of the recent events
has brought us face to face with a
crisis of tremendous Importance. The
constantly rising cast of commodities
to the consumer has far outstripped
the purchasing power of the consum-
er's wage. This difference between
earning power and spending power
of the great mass of the workers
has compelled corresponding low
ering of the standard of existence.
Resistance Inevitable.
Resistance is inevitable. Human
nature cannot do otherwise than OPP
pose the universal lowering of the
standard of living"
I'm answer to the first reaction,
demand for increased wages, we now
find a hundred thousand railway en-
ployes refusing longer to render
their services for these constantly
returns. This manifesto
ton of revolt is but systematic Of
the entire industrial situation. 1t is
not unrest that confronts us, it is
revolt because of industrial condi-
tions no longer to be borne.
1.-The plan which labor presents has
been prepared after a most careful
study Of the economic situation,
study of the industrial difficulty and
the proper cOrrectives to be applied.
The faculty system may be improved
by regulation, but regulation of a
system long unprincipled merely de-
lays its ultimate collapse. 1t is not
1t lays no foundation
for solid progress 1t palliates but
does not cure.
I'VE already number in the sup
porters of labor's plans approximate
ly six million adult prod1cers-a about
one-sixth of the productive man
power of the United States. Perhaps
the same proportion Of the political
power of the nation, and financial
which few comprehend.
Must Protect Both.
Equally" he added, organized la
Dor realizes that to correct this vic
ious system the interests of both pro-
ducers and consumers must be pro-
tected: that the great increase in
the productive power of human effort
should be reflected equally in in
creased earning power of those who
produce and the decreased cost of
the commodity, so reduced.
"In order to affect the price of all
by advances in wages to
those who produce, then, it would be
necessary to complete the entire
cycle of industrial production. An ad-
vance to the shoemakers is reflected
only in the advanced price of shoes.
1t does not affect any other eommod-
ity.
But with transportation the stu
alton is quite otherwise. The cost in
transportation is reflected in the
price of all commodities, whether
transported or not. The consumer
pays the freight on everything that
he consumes, although it may be
produced next door.