The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-10
A STROKE FOR PROSPERITY.

Inc government 10 hcLhg wisely IN ueciuR 10 coOper
ate actively with industry for the purpose of ascertanna
as possible what just and fair prices in the
various basic industries
The suspense in the business world deadly 1t is worse
peyment strikes stagnation in thousands of small bust
nesses resentment against the government curtaiment
large enterprises and if prolonged would cause bank
ruptcies and panic
This suspense is traceable to one
to prices, without warning, and almost Immediately puet
stop to manufacture Business who would not
have had any great difficulty in runng to other kinds OF
manufacture if they had known what prices should pre-
vail Prices however, were an unknown quantity They
had grety increased during the war; partly from foreign
influence and partly account of just policy of slim
uation intended to increase rapid production. Were
reduced there to be violent sudden Drop invov-
ing every mans business and every mans wages? Nobody
could this question. Consequently nobody has
dared to go forward on the gass Of current prices
Several months age The Post foreseeing the present
conditions suggested that the industries board should
consult witt the steel manufacturers and publish price
which by common consent should prevail until July next
We reasoned that the danger in the situation doubt
not high prices that if the price of steel should be made
definite, at any figure the business world would know
what to do in buying selling and building all along the
line. Thus, with doubt removed, every business man
would only too gladly transform his business to peace
production and throw every energy into meeting the
quirements Of this vast and hungry nation.
Unfortunately the war industries board was dissolved
the price of steel not ascertained by the
and there has been paralysis and increasing industrial
trube since The steel industry itself tired to meet
the situation by shading off little in certain prices but
not stability whatever impaired to the countrys in
iustral structure. Consumers would not buy steel
anything else if they could postpone the filling of Their
needs.
The law prohibits individuals and corporation in the
same business from meeting and fixing prices. There is
way out unless the will help The govern
nent cannot and should x prices" in the sense Of
tanning figure at which producers must sell and consum
RS must buy, under penalty But the government can
md should act in behalf of all concerned in ascertanng
What would be a fair price, all things considered
No expects prices to fall to the old peace level an
very who studies the situation viii be opposed to
uch reduction. 1t would radical wage reductions
md that is something that should not be permitted The
outside world churning to its Depths and the evil in
finding opportunities for doing the DEVILS work Amer
cans do not want bolshevsm in the United States No
me should give bolshevsm any for stirring up
roube here The workers everywhere be protected
ganst the shock of sudden wage cuts and unemployment
order to accomplish this, industry must be started i'm
nedatey the production of articles needed by the
eople. The moment the business world knows what
rces it must give and receive for reasonable length
time ahead the wheels will begin to whrl; for there
plenty of money and need of everything that the facto
les of the United States produce The people have
deprvng themselves of all sorts of comforts and lux
res and the nation is now trying to live in harness that
eed to it five years ago. In the single item of rail-
oads the United States in crying need of expansion
pen up oodproducng regions in order to feed the
population.
The creation of governmental agency to ascertain
people just what prices fair and reasonable in all
he basic industries direct stroke for prosperity and
deadly blow at bolshevism.--W Washington Post
LAWYERS, DOCTORS, AND THE PUBLIC.
Men from every rank position and profession among
nra;ca for what +bov dJ +oyorJ ypr;rr