The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-26

mating factor in financial and business
circles; and, while there have been
few violent outbreaks in various sec
tons of the country due to labor's ar
rogant attitude, the impression is
gaining Roadway that many adjust
ments will be made at great con-
cession from what is now demanded
by the labor chiefs. Unionized labor
has lost cast in the public estimation,
not only for its extortionate demands
for the biggest Slice" but also for its
lack of respect for law and order in
the methods it uses to secure It's, sell
fish ends. The attitude Of the Boston
police is nothing short of wholesale
desertion, calling for the visitation of
extreme penalties, instead of restora-
ton to duty, and happily, the strike
has ended in fiasco.
There have been conflicting reports
and opinions relative to the steel
strike, but the leaders of that industry
are as willing now as at any time for
a trial of strength between themselves
and organized labor. According to re-
liable reports, only Is per cent of the
present employees are organized, and
the damaging influence of the union
would consist in their supposed ability
to line up a larger percentage in their
membership. What they can accomp-
lish, along these lines is problematical.
Those who have looked far below
the surface are now advocating that
the labor leaders strive to consolidate
what they have already attained, in
stead of reaching out for what will
surely be temporary advantage. This
is what keen observer has to, say on
this phase of,the problem; "The wise
policy for the labor organizations to
pursue Is to quit their policy of trying
to push wages higher and make a
study of how to hold the wage rates
they have gained, looking to future
gains to an increase in the purchasing
power of the dollar. They should look
now to increasing production. They
should look after thenr position as
consumers. They should seek to CO.
operate with employers in accomp-
fishing reduction of the costs per
unit of products to what they were
before the war. If they can achieve
thar their new wage rates will be se-
cure and represent real gains real
increase of command over, the neces-
saries and the comforts they want.
Otherwise, they are chasing shadows
and are likely TO fall into bog
! Steel Trade and Building.
The steel mills are now working
from 20 to 90 per cent of capacity, de-
pending upon the products being
turned out, and managers are, at pres-
emit more concerned over a shortage
Of hands than because Of the unwill-
ingness of hands to work. The Steel
Corporation reported an increase of
more than 100000 tons iii untitled or
ders, and this, too, in the face Of heavy
deliveries during August. In textile
4 lines the mills are said to be busy
on accumulated orders that producers
are not worrying about the effect of
price recessions on buyers for forward
account.
The building industry continues to
report activity, and the fact that plans
g filed for new buildings during August
reached a total of $l6O, 000, 600 ais COM
pared with $40, 100000 in July and
A3D0,000 in August of last year is
looked upon as one evidence of the
immense business now under way.
!. Work which was more or less ham
pered during the war by restrictive
regulations from Washington, or by
thergreater pressure of war needs, has
Tree rein at present, and the do
nestle trade of the country Is bene-
! fitting from it. Structural steel can be
obtained more easily and the demand
for, new housing of all kinds is so
strong that high prices and labor
troubles are not sufficient to restrict
operations. Rents obtainable because
of the incessant demands make enter
prises of this sort profitable to con-
tractors and to capital. As the needs
for war purposes become less their
places are filled by domestic business
, incidental to reconstruction or rather
by the accumulation Of deferred build
ing.
Big Export Organization.
What promises to be the largest
concerted effort yet made to secure
/ and extend the export trade of the
country has just been launched under
the auspices of the National Associa-
ton of Manufacturers. It has taken
formal shape in the organization Of
the Namusa South American Corpora
ton, and Its operotions will be under
the, Webb omerene act permitting
combinations in furtherance Of foreign
commerce.
Previous movements to take advan-
tage of the act have been made on
the part of the product corporation or
ganized to deal respectively in special
commodities such AZ copper, steel, the
textile, etc. The present one Is much
more comprehensive. The charter al
the corporation has been 50 framed
that any group, or any number OF
groups, may engage in expert trade
activities under one general overhead.
Participation in the corporation Is
practically even for the small manu-
facturer, because OF the wide distribu-
ton of corporation expense.
In the broadcast sense the plan pro-
vides an active, efficient and economi-
cal organization through which Ameri-
can manufacturers will present a
united front In world markets, en-
ahling them to combat foreign COM
petition effectively. To nrocure trade