Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1919-12-25
"Sell your Hammer and Buy Horn
Just To Think About.

|. The statement was made in the
senate few days ago that if we do
not promptly conclude peace with
Germany we will be in danger of los
ing our foreign trade, and that the
prices of all articles of export would
be lowered in this country because of
the lack of foreign demand.
Also, we have been repeatedly told
of late that prices are abnormally high
because of the great demand for our
goods from over the seas. Sugar,
for instance, was shipped overseas
until a famine was produced here at
home, and prices went up so high we
had to use stepladder to locate them.
Now, if cutting off some of our ex-
port trade would make the necessities
of life more numerous over here, and
would thereby reduce prices to sane
level again, wouldn't it be rather a
good thing for you, and the rest of the
home people?
Of course, few plutocratic export
ers might have to forego some of their
fat profits, but what of it? They care
nothing for us-why should we wor-
ny about them?
You are your own thinker-do a
little of it.
2. Settlement of the coal strike is
not over, as many fondly believe. 1t
is only postponed for time to appease
the wrath of an exasperated public.
1t will bob up again soon in all of it's
devilishness to harrass an already o.
verburdened people.
A committee of three will be in con-
troll of the situation in the future, and
this committee will have the last word
in the settlement of controversies. On
that committee you will see one man
representing the coal operators, one
man representing the coal diggers,
and one man representing the vast mil
lions who must buy coal regardless of
price.
The result? A foregone conclusion,
of course. When it comes to test
vote two men of the committee will
be interested in the raising of the
price of coal to the consumer, so the
digger can have still higher wagers
and the operator can pile up still high
er profits. One lone man maSx~aise
his voice for the consumer. But two
votes always prevail over one.
While you are waiting for the next
boost in the price of coal, just think
this matter over a little. It is a good
headache producer-for the goats.
3. The man who manufactures an
article is entitled to a fair profit over
the cost of production. The wholesal
er who distributes that article is also
entitled to a fair profit over the cost
of distribution. So is the retailer who
sells it to the consumer. But none of
them are entitled to more than q fair
and reasonable profit. The laborer and
the consumer must also be consider
ed.
Congress and the president. work
ing tremendously, could with one
sweep of their mighty arm put a quick
and lasting end to profiteering.
They would only have to pass a law
requiring that the cost as we'll as the
selling price be plainly marked on
every article offered for sale. and that
price REMAIN ON THE ARTICLE
until the purchaser removes it. A
heavy prison sentence should also be
provided for Justification of a cost
mark
The buying public would then know
the profiteer, and would soon end his
business career by Imprisonment or
by the more simple process of refus-
ing to patronize him.
4. Big business in the United States
is becoming enormously rich. Million
aires are being created almost over
night. That is because the enormous