The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-06-03

in all industries in the purchasing Of
all kinds of supplies, including galvan-
lied iron and steel wire and strand,
pole line hardware, and lead, anti
mony and tin, silk and cotton yarns,
timber products, clay conduit and
glass insulators, etc.
Perhaps no institution in the coun-
try is in better shape TO secure sup
plies than the American Telephone
and Telegraph company, and surely
there is no national institution in bet
ter position to analyze our domestic
conditions, since it reaches every
where. IL the opinion of the com
pany 1.-The average falling off of pro-
duction throughout the country is es-
timated to be about 35 per cent, and
this in spite Of greatly increased
prices" In its own principal pur-
chases for telephone construction a
table Of the per cent of increase in
costs from August, 1914, to January,
1920, shows that on more than half
large number of articles the advance
has been 100 per cent, and upwards
to as much as ATS per cent. The con-
spicuous feature Of this story, which
is used as an illustration because it
affects a concern in such general on
Grafton, apparently removes any
doubt about there being a great back
up demand for construction work in
practically every line of industry.
There is no record Of panic and
industrial depression in the face Of
such prospect" says an economic
expert. Added to this important OBJ
houses, railroad equipment, and con
struction work that has long been on
the waiting list" The needs OF other
countries are also of great import
ance, but foreign commerce is tagging,
waiting for some signs OF industry
catching up with itself.
The world has not gotten back to
normal production and everywhere it
is the same old story concerning re-
tarded development and the lack of
construction to meet the imperative
needs.
While the hours of labor have been
reduced wages have climbed steadily.
1t Is pointed out that those who re-
ceived early advantages with their
pay checks lost the value Of these in
creases as other advances followed.
They now seek to recover the gains
they have lost by further increases
in wages. AS result wages are
in another, each successful demand
suggesting others. In the past his
tory Of the country increased expendi-
lures were guarantee of increased
production. One of the reasons why
we do not get this today is the shorter
hours Was that the only reason,
it might be overcome Accepting the
estimate Of the Bell system that the
decrease in production represents So
per cent, the deficit cannot be squared
by charging it all up. to the short day.
Evidently there continues to exist
a good deal of unrest throughout the
country, and to this unhealthy condi-
ton may be safely charged the re
spOnsbiity for most of the "loafing
on the job" that has cut down pro
duction.
Quite a number Of the presidential
candidates are predicating their hopes
for success on their arguments for
more efficient methods for the con
duct Of government business. Some
of them are explaining the proposed
budget system" which is a plan that
was urged during the administration
of former President Taft, who pointed
out to unwilling congresses made up
Of maiorities at different times of both
the republican and democratic par
ties, that a budget system would de-
termine the exact needs Of the gov
ernment. thereby enabling congress TO
provide funds enough for carrying on
the public business. 1t is urged that
the system now in operation has re-
suited in countless Implications of bu
reaus, and that many of them should
be abolished. There is no question
but that this is the state of affair
in Washington; and the budget system
would point its accusing finger at the
different duplicate organizations il
would serve to show the uselessness
of many Of them