Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1919-10-30
Shall We Go Back to Old Values?

In the midst of all this effort t
reduce the high cost of living an,
get back to the conditions where W
we're before the war. it might b
worth while to consider with car,
the question as to whether the OLE
price level or the new price level il
the best for all concernd. While tn,
opinion is almost universal that VIZ
want TO get back to the old standard
OF the value of dollar it is con
ceivable that the new dollar value
is as good or better for all the people
than as the old dollar value.
The question that it seem fair to
raise is this; assuming that we arc
on q level of just about double cost
and double pay as compared with
the level OF five years ago, what as
surance is there that a return to
that old price level will make us
happier than to remain where we
are? We have passed through a
lot OF travail in gaining our present
high-priced condition. and we shall
pass through a period of grooming
and of woe coming down again, and
what does it profit in the end2
OF course in order that there may
be any general equity in the new dol
lar value, it must be assumed that
wages have advanced as much as
prices of commodities. In many
departments Of labor this is true.
But taking for instance the COM
monest kind of labor, which COM
manded wages at the rate of $3.50
to 1925 per day six or eight years
ago, and which now commands dou-
bic that amount-say SO to SIS pei |
day. Does that man prefer to pay
twice as much for food and clothing !
and shelter, and get twice as much |
for his work: or does he prefer to
go back to the old scale on every
thing? Which is the best for him
and his family?
The difficulty In getting a fair
and square look at this question, is
hat In the revolutionary changes in
he dollar value which have upset
within a short period all the old
standards completely, advantage has
,een taken Of the unsettled condr
ion and some things have run for
'eyond the double standard in price,
md some other things have not
cached up to that standard, thus
reating violent cases of inequity, t
o which attention is constantly di- ]
ected. In general, wages have not t
Increased as fast as commodities; e
b profiteers have controlled and c
ornered and run up the market on Q
ONE kinds OF goods so that they are t
eyond all reason; but these things
Fould all be ironed out in time if F
ne level price were to be main Il
lined. g
From the farmers standpoint the Il
uestion is do / prefer dollarcorn, "
nd IS cent oats, and 50 wheat, and CT
IS hogs, and s12 cattle, with the NJ
that / am to pay sc
1uble prices for what / buy and d.
'uble wages to my help; or do / tn
'efer to go back to the old scale of &c
III these rates for everything. &c
9 suspect that in the midst of the p,
amor for price reduction. there m
III be quite good many votes in m
vor OF the new elyels.
One thing seems to be pretty TO
var. There was never as little
Al want and suffering for the We
cessfties OF life in America as su
been the past year There nev-i /.
were fewer who actually went ne
ngry There never was time ity
en- scattering cases of extreme tn
met so prompt and so mt
ing response from public and ge
rate charity. Us
tn,