The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-02
1.ApoRs CHANGING VIEW.

Apparently labor leaders are begin
ming to zee the effect of high wages
on the cost of living and are calling
a halt in the effort to keep the endless
chain of increased wages and in
creased prices from continuing to re-
volve. W. s. Stone, chief of the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers
for instance. has come out with the
declaration that "a decrease in the
cost OF living is far more essential to
the general welfare at this time than
an increase in wages" Mr.. Stone in
sists that there must be a halt be-
cause wage increases cannot be kept
up continuously to keep pace with
prices.
Pointing in the same direction is a
resolution passed by employees Of the
Midvale Steel & Ordnance company.
the Cambria Steel company and their
subsidiary companies. without dis
senting voice. at a meeting In Atlantic
city. The resolution follows:
whereas, the high cost of living
needs to be abated by diligent, efficient
and conscientious labor. by thrift and
by avoidance OF waste and extraVa-
Eance: and whereas the price OF com
modities In regulated by the days la
Dor OF a man and the real unit OF
value or the unit OF compensation is
not a dollar but the purchasing price
Of a dollar. and that the price of all
things, meaning the average price of
everything we use and consume. which
Is commonly referred to as the average
price of commodities. is fixed, regu-
lated. raised or lowered by the aver
age compensation received for one
hours work by every man and every
woman; and whereas we believe the
only sure remedy for the high cost of
living is increased production and the
sterilization of prices in conformity
with wages now being paid; and
whereas we believe any workman who
demands a greater proportionate re-
turn for his labor than his fellow
workmen In other lines are getting Is
as guilty of prohteering as grocer
who charges exorbitant prices for the
necessities Of life. and that increa ses
in wages paid to certain classes OF
workers by the government or others
will result in higher prices being set
by the profiteers for the necessities OF
living to all purchasers alike.
1t Is resolved that the persistent
and unceasing demand of workmen
tHlplOgC0 GAa6cCS AiAN hAAA9 "a
industries for q shorter days work
and an increased wage in order to
meet the present high cost of living
Is uneconomic and unwise and should
not be encouraged; that private
monopolies should be controlled and
profits restricted to a rate that shall
be fair to the consumer; that unnec-
esSary exports of food and clothing be
restricted and that all stores OF hoard
ed supplies be uncovered and placed
in the open market; that copies of this
resolution be forwarded to the presi-
dent of the United States. to the SEN
ators in congress from Pennsylvania
and to the congressman of the vari-
Gus districts in which are located this
various plants of the Midvale Steel
&. Ordnance company. and to the stats
and municipal authorities, to the end
that they may by all the powers and
means to them available endeavor to
bring about normal conditions. with
special privileges TO none. but justice
to all. and sure and swift retribution
for those who may attempt to profiteeT
! in the necessities OF life.