Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-17
&c WORK
eSPURS OUTPUT
Method Proposed as Means of
Relief From High Prices.

NEW YORK. Feb. 17.--The cause%of
the present high prices of clothing;
whether this rise in prices has reached
its peak; whether there are anywhere
signs of any beneficial effects caused by
governmental or other campaigns for
lower prices: whether the high costs ars
due to profteering, or whether labor is
to blame; and, how long will the public
stand Il? These are few of the ques-
lions raised by a glance at advertised
clothing prices in the United States. at
meetings of clothing men, shoe men and
the like there seems to be little talk o.
anything but higher prices. The en-
ployer blameS the empfoye and the lat
ter reciprocates. Meanwhile, the public
stands by and pays the price.
The public is interested in the fact that
clothing manufacturers have just assured
Arthur Williams, federal food admins
Srator, who has been active in the EFFORT
TO establish fair prices for clothing as
well as food Supplies, that they viii CO
opeEate with him in disposing OF goods
purchased when prices were lower, at
quotations based upon the original rather
than upon current prices.
CONFERENCE WITH
MANUFACTURERS.
At a conference with manufacturers Of
wooden goods it appeared that now that
the war is over the IS per cent of wooden
goods manufacturing machines which
were diverted during the war times to
turning out materials required for war
purposes are now being turned back to
their original work of manufacturing
material for civilian use.
The supply Of raw wool is rapidly be
coming normal and as soon as the sup
rly OF manufactured goods begins to
ho q PVnPctp6
to do prices are expected to go down.
At least, the manufacturers will be able
to fill their ordersN at lower prices. And
it is believed that this will have bene-
fetal effect upon clothing in general.
1T Is the lack Of products rather than
higher wages that makes clothing cost
so much at retail today said r. J.
dickson of Hickson, Inc, to repre-
sentative of the Christian Science Moni-
tor Wages have fully doubled and
working hours have been shortened, but
instead of better and more intensive
work, production has diminished fully
one-haIf. Workers are soldering on the
Job: they do not work earnestly nor
nearly so fast as they can. The unions
tell them to slow W on production.
DEMAND FOR
HIGHER WAGES.
Now I believe that it is perfectly con-
sistent for them to. ask higher wages,
sbecause of the higher cost OF living, bat
] I do feel that in justice to the consumer
they should earn that increase of wages.
The radical unions demand that the
Aslowest man in the house set the stand
ard; that his output be made the basis
Of production instead of that Of the av-
erage or quick worker. This must be
checked somehow. But the workers have
been so spoiled during the war that they
will take no dictation and labor union
propaganda encourages them.
''There is a remedy, and that is the
method Of piece work rather than week
work. It must come to that. worker
viii then be paid for what he actually
does. It will be a question OF his own
Efficiency. The more he produces the
more he will earn and the better it viii
be all around"