Evening journal., 1919-09-17


dowed In order that the college and the graduate schools
may carry their old work and at the time take
up the tasks which loom ahead
RIGID ECONOMY NECESSARY TO REDUCE LIVING COSTS
T is fundamental truth that the present high cost
OF living can only be materially reduced by increased
production and the practice OF the most rigid economy.
Organized labor all the country apparently DELHI
eraey Ignores this truth and IS endeayoring to wiring
from capital concessions the granting OF which viii have
but temporary beneficial result, states The American
Architect edllorlally
u Is unfortunate that organized labor intoxicated
by inflated prosperity condition unreal II is
universally unjust-should in many instances, show
complete disregard FOR the rights Of the public g
agreements that at the time OF their making they
were willing 20 regard binding for the full period Of
| their respective contracts.
| Evidences multiply that many labor organizations
making unreasonable demands for increase Of
Ignoring the fact that agreements that they have made
have yet long periods TO specific instance is that
OF the Painters Union in New York City. An agreement
entered into by this union with the Association Of Master
Painters and Decorators will not expire until December
81 Of this year In this contract a Of Sc per day
and forty-four-hour week agreed TO- but in spite
OF this agreement, the union is treating this con-
tract scrap Of paper and insists that the wage
shall be 81 per hour with forty-hour week, with
no work on Saturdays Sundays. Their demands as
TO working conditions would practically deprive the mas
ter painters the control OF their shops and vest it in
Representatives OF the union.
This is not isolated instance OF the unreasonable de-
mands OF labor. Similar conditions are to be found all
the country. The question that naturally arises Is
How may labor drasticay and speedily be taught that
Il will absolutely lose the respect and support OF the very
element It looks 10 for encouragement II It continues
course so antagonsc 10 all the principles 1t will be
necessary employ speedily TO return to normal
conditlons?"
Resating es economic truth, the necessity for in
creased uninterrupted production necessary
ditlon in the reduction OF the high cost OF living will 1t
not appear that labor presents example OF group,
bllndly seeking TO accomplish its own destruction? II
labor continues regard with Indifference the obligations
of contracts soemnly entered into is there not intro
duced an that will prevent the existence OF claims
that are based on such utter disregard Of moral and legal
obllgations2
In a public statement Issued by President Wilson with
reference the present economic condition he stated:
only by keeping the cost Of production It's present
level by increasing production and by rigid economy and
saving on the part OF the people we hope for large
decreases in the burdensome cost OF living which now
weights us down. ANY substantial increase Of
wages in leading lines industry at this time would ut
tery crush the general campaign which the government
wagng with energy vgor and substantial hope OF sue
cess to reduce the high cost OF living"
will be we'll for labor TO seriously ponder the sig
nincance OF an opinion from high source and one
that will wen able TO influence the action OF the
government in these matters.
As in marked contrast the general attitude Of labor
all the country there is TO be noted with large
measure approval that the representatives OF thirty
thousand employees OF the Mdvae Steel and Ordnance
Company and is subsidiary companies in session at
Atlantic City recently passed resolutions opposing further
demands for higher wages and shorter hours un-
economic and unwise This action. It is stated taken
entirely on the initiative Of the workmen and without
the knowledge OF the Mdvale officials.
50 excellent example more generally followed will
do 10 restore prewar status than any amount Of
mandatory legislation the part Of the Federal
ment could accomplish.
Encouraged by the example OF the Mdvale Steel and |
Ordnance Company employees, and further encouraged to
learn that a committee the OF living Of the New
York state Federation OF Labor had decided in favor Of
sx-months strike truce regrettable that there not
far the Federation Of Labor involved, any sound
basis for eation
The chairman Of the American Labor party states,
with emphasis that his organization will
have nothing TO do with any anti-srke program will
positively not to any cprtaiment OF its activities
TO enforce its demands.
While this is merely an expression Of opinion as re-
lang 10 but State It may be fairly assumed that
similar attitude toward the dscontnuance strikes
ing the period in which the viii be working
out legislative program will be followed in a majority
OF States
With cessation Of strikes and general resumption OF
production in essential lines Of manufacture there would
have been Afforded opportunity practically to demon
srate and especially to labor that prime factor the
reduction Of living costs in the uninterrupted progress
Of all manufactures and every department Of build
ing construction.
II in view Of such stubborn refusal to realize these
things the main element in the solution OF our economic
problems labor shall find it suffers from reaction OF
popular sentiment, it will have only to blame the un-
wisdom Of its leaders who have utterly failed to read the
signs Of the times with ordinary perception
There is a species Of n.y. scientists announce which
should not be swstted as destroys plant lice This
useful ny is distinguished by yellow and black bands on
its body but advice the insect would be to keep
out Of the kitchen