The Brinkley argus. (Brinkley, Ark.) 1883-current, 1919-11-06
LIVING COST IN
THESE TIMES IS
PARAMOUNT ISSUE
BIG WAGES COUNT FOR NAUGHT
IF 1T TAKES ALL TO RUN
THE HOUSE.
WE MUST WORK AND SAVE
Production Must Be Increased and
Money TO Accomplish This Must
Come From People.

/ The United States has come out OF
the world war stronger financially,
economically, socially, than any other
of the major nations.
Yet even to the United States there
has been left heritage Of acute prob
lens pressing relentlessly upon the
public mind for answer Never with
in the memory OF two generations have
the people OF this country been so re-
solved to meet current issues squarely,
so determined to find solution for
those problems which are depressing
them, and to bring about a better
social and economic condition.
1t is a situation in which the lead
ers of public thought and action-busi-
ness men, thoughtful women, men,and
women Of influence in every sphere
and line of work-must assert their
leadership This is no time to theo-
rize 1t is time to do sometime
The root of this condition of the pub
lie mind lies in the cost OF living. 1t
is this that has led to the establish
ment of that unfortunate procession
In which wages for individual labor,
pushing up and UP, have been constant
ly and inevitably outstripped by the
prices of the commodities which those
wages must buy.
Unfortunately. this process is called,
because II does not accomplish and
never can accomplish any permanent
readjustment Of the condition which
ii seeks TO remedy. Its only possible
consequence can be an interruption
of the processes of production. which
must induitably cause, not an improve
ment in. but an accumulation of the
ILL.,
For what is it that really underlies
this public unrest? Is it not that
shoes now cost S12 where they once
cost six, nor that food stuffs have
doubled in price This Is already gen.
orally admitted
The public will gladly pay these
prices, provided that they can pay
them and still have proportionately as
much left, after the necessities OF life
have been provided, as they used to
have
II is question. not of the cost OF
living, but of the margin between the
cost of living and the amount earned.
in a word 1t Is a question of Thrift
Thrift in production, which will tend
to increase individual earnings and
Thrift in consumption. which, by
prevention of useless destruction of
goods, will tend TO increase the general
supply Of goods and reduce prices to
the consumer" says a statement Is
sued by a Treasury Department Off
cial
And this applies not to any special
group or class. but to every man. wont
an and child in America 1t applies
TO the manufacturer and the artisan,
to the housewife and the school child.
Above all. ii applies TO those in posi-
tons Of leadership for it Is to them
that the country looks for example
Practice and encourage Thrift, system
aiic saving and regular investment ia
some safe security like War Savings
Stamps. Treasury Savings Certificates
and government bonds"
These new Savings Certificates are
the most appealing securities ever Of
tered by the government They are in
denominations Of 500 and 81 900, bear
interest at the rate OF per cent, com
pounded quarterly. and to all inter
ests and purposes are exempt from
taxation
They may be redeemed at any time
two months after purchase by giving
10 days notice They can never de-
preciate below par, for they bear on
their face the value at any given date
before maturity.