Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-09
Wide Divergence of Opinion
Shown, But Belief is Cen
eral That Pro6teering En-
tiers Into the Matter; Low
er Prices Generally Felt to
Be Only Possible Solution.

Wide divergence Of opinion is
shown by citizens Of Grand Forks in
regard to the causes n remedies for
the present high cost of living prevails
ing throughout the country.
The views of a number Of represent
tative men OF the city were obtained
by The Herald this morning. These
were selected from the classes of pro-
fessional men, laboring men. etc, who
have no direct interest in the produc-
ton or distribution 0 fthe necessities
Of life.
Merchants, railway men, farmers,
etc. who are directly so concerned,
were not included among those SO in
terviewed.
Expressions Of opinion received to-
day we're as follows:
DR.. n. NJ. Wheeler, Mayor of Grand
Forks-"I believe that the situation
requires the finest kind Of construc-
tive ability. am not prepared to
say with whom the responsibility lies
for the present high cost of living. ]
an inclined to believe, however, that
the establishment of more direct
means of communication between
producer and consumer would be n
of the means required to solve the
problem. I do not think hat strikes
and other Industrial warfare will help
u ~OElHE dOOuI OCllcl Solu4IloIAS. we
need to get together, not to fight
among ourselves"
W. G.. Stebbins, Superintendent Of
Schoois--"I am not prepared to say
where the responsibility for the high
cost of living may lie, hut I am abso-
lutely sure of one thing-the cost is
too high"
Ernest Harding, president Grand
Forks Typographical union: II be-
lieve that the high cost of living was
originally caused by boarding of food.
can. see for. the present situation is the
taking Of steps to lower the cost of
necessities. Continuous efforts to
raise wages do no lasting good and
are partly responsible for the present
conditions of high prices. 1t makes a
regular see-saw, with every advance
in wages comes a corresponding or
greater increase in prices. Any per-
manent good therefore can only be
to a more normal level. AS to the
responsibility for profiteering 1 be-
lieve 1t to be due to both wholesalers
and retailers"
Samuel Torgerson, vic president
Northwestern National bank: II am
inclined to think hat there is
~prohteering all along the line. 1t be-
gins with the producers and continues
down all the way through the whole
sAlers and retailers, a little more be-
ing added at each step until the ulti-
mate consumer Is reached. He bears
the whole burden"
". H. Alexander, city auditor: Il
believe the blame for the present stu
alton should be equally divided be-
tween labor and capital. On the
one side there has undoubtedly been
boarding and pr%ofiteering. On the
other there has been a tendency to
force wages up to unreasonable rates,
thus increasing the cost of production.
he other, but in The meantime 1t is
the middle class on which the heavy
burden falls"
W. E. Fuller, vice president North
ern State bank: There has undoubt-
edly been prolteering. Where it is
am unable to say 1t is possible that
. reduction in the amount of cur
rency would assist in relieving the
situation. This method has been pro-
posed and I think it might possibly
have good results" a
o. B. Burtness. attorney, member
Of the state legislatures: The high
cost Of living is without question one
of the very most important issues be-
fore the American people. Without
having given thorough study to the
question. my views car be regarded
only Al offhand opinions. 1 strongly
feel that there has been more or less
~proiteering all along the line. The
original producer, including the owner
Of the raw product, has received more
in dollars and cents han yer before
The same is true of labor which ha:
converted the raw into the finished
product and distributed it to the ulti,
mate consumer. Most jobbers, retail
ers and other middle men have doubt
less in many cases had much more