The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-11
JAMES HOPES TO
KEEP ALL WAGES
ON HIGH LEVEL

The new industries board OF the de-
partment of commerce expects to be
able to awaken American commerce
and industry from it's postwar lethargy
within 80 days, by securing the consent
of the masters of basic structural com
modities to debate the prices of their
commodities and place them upon a
common level equitable to all.
This is the statement made by Geo.
r. James, OF Memphis, member OF the
board. who has just returned from
Washington, where he attended the or
ganization meeting Of the board with
his colleagues, Mr.. James associates
are as follows; George N. Peek, Moline,
Ill, chairman. former vlce-chairman Of
the war industries board and head Of
the finished products division; Samuel
+, Bush, Columbus, o.; Anthony Can't
nett, Washington, ID. c., commissioner
OF immigration; Thomas X. Glenn, At
lanta, Ca; I. c. Powell, of Cincinnati,
q, Of the railroad administration w.
y. Ritter, West Virginia, former con
tact officer Of the war industries board.
The industries board, Mr., James ex-
planned to The News Scimitar, Is in
no sense a price-fixing instrument. II
has no powers of coercion and will not
attempt so to proceed. 1t will simply
invite representatives Of the basic com
modities to get together and arrive at
a fair level OF prices In order that the
period OF readjustment may be prompt
ly bridged and the normal functioning
of the law Of supply and demand re-
sumo, Industry and are now
held In a state Of suspense. Mr.. James
explained. for the investors or consum
ers Of the country win not go into the
market for their needs, as they think
prices should go down and do not know
exactly what is going to happen.
Old Plan Hurt Labor.
This situation can not be maintained
forever, and something will have "a
crack sooner or later. The old method
would be for industry or capital to SET
out and cut the wages OF labor, in
order that II might follow this with q
reduction in prices to a normal level
But 1t is not the desire OF the govern.
ment that this method should be pur-
sued. It is considered better for al
concerned, Mr., James said, that laboI
should not be forced to bear the initia
burden of the process Of REIMBURSEMENT
but that industry should. II It is pos.
sihle TO keep wages up until the cos
of living begins TO go down, the stand,
ards of living of the American worke.
will not have 10 be lowered. The spend,
ing power of the great common people
may be maintained at the present leve
and the whole country be more pros
porous and happy thereby. 1t is ex.
} pected that with the business revive.
to the full flood of it's activities, tn,
American manufacturer will be abb,
l with his greater efficiency and inge
nuity to compete successfully with tn,
manufacturers Of the world withou
! lowering the standards OF living of tn,
t worker.
. The industries which have to do witt
construction are considered by tn
3 committee to be the key to the situa
= ton. If steel, brick, cement, copper
= lumber and such commodities can b.
= reduced to q normal and common leve
$ OF prices so that building activities ma,
20 ahead unimpeded, 1t is felt that /
will not be necessary to bring any arti
fetal influences TO bear on the othe
commodities and that they will assum
a normal state automatically,
Y ut is necessary to break the dar
n which is stagnating the currents Of GU
n great stream OF industry and com
merce.' said Mr.. James. and once
: Is preached all the lesser streams wi
e follow through to their normal chan
e nels." The board hopes thst il wi
;. not be necessary to call the food PRO
: ducing, the leather or the textile in
dustries into conference to agree O
: prices.
- II will not do any good, Mr., lame
says to return one of the basic build