Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-08-05
INDUSTRY LAGS

Vi the uOuDlSS Oh the operators, and IT
seems more than likely that labor trou-
bles will add to the probability Of a
coal shortage the coming winter. And
what is true with regard to coal also
appears to apply to most of the indus
trial plants of the country which are
Ioversold, and which are vainly trying
to speed up production.
The farmers have shown no DISPOSE
Ition to curtail their produce. except for
the one reason of insufficient help to
care for what the soil will yield in a.
bundance. OF course there is the dread
ed apprehension of lack in transport
tation facilities; and the car shortage
has had a tendency to make farmers
as well as manufacturers conservative.
But while, everywhere there has been
a tendency for manufacturers and farm
ers to slow down, the striking reason
has been that there has not been enuf
labor to carry on the ordinary game of
life.
AT the same time, in the cities as
well as in the towns and country, there
has been a house shortage. In New
York 1t is not uncommon for single
office room to rent for as high as a
thousand dollars year. In Washing
ton offices are double what they were
before the war. This condition holds
good in most Of the large cities. APP
parently there are not enough people
to man the industries, to take care of
farm production, and to build new
houses and building structures within
the Nation. The United States Cen
sus now being taken, shows that the
population is increasing, but it does not
indicate what has become of the labor
ing people, who evidently are becom-
/ ing scarcer and scarcer as the years
| roll by. IF America could analyze her
true economic condition, she would
likely find out that the country is sew
eral years behind in the affairs of its
shops and households.
Whatever the idealists and theorists
could figure out from the above facts
is uncertain. In any event conditions
all show that the people who predict
panics are sadly misguided. as there
are Of necessity. continued good times
ahead-and these likely will improve
as more people are compelled to turn
TO the ranks of industry after dissip-
ating the small fortunes that they ac-
cumulated during war times. Doubt
less prices are slowly coming down, due
to the fact that business profiteers and
labor profiteers are being forced to
subscribe to saner business conditions
demanded by country at peace with
the world.
The railroad problem which holds
public attention, and is Of constant mo-
ment at Washington. does not stand by
itself. 1t is part of the entire indus
trial problem of the country and is tied
! up with it in every detail. Hence it
cannot be solved by itself. Any dis
turbance affecting industry reacts up
on railroad transportation. 1t may
keep cars empty and idle that should
be full and running. Then upon the
abatement of such disturbance the
demand for products delayed by it be-
comes abnormally strong for the time
being. There is. so to speak, rush
hour" demand, creating temporary
Ineed for more than normal supply
l,of cars.
The coal strike of last fall had long
Extended effects. All production in
which iron and steel enter was compli-
Icated by the steel strike. Building has
been hampered by numerous local
strikes of craftsmen and the longshore-
mems strikes have rendered it difficult
to get many materials. Traffic for ex-
!, port has been complicated BY maritime
strikes. both Of longshoremen and tug
men. Teamsters' and truckmen' S
strikes have added to these difficulties.
Capital has faced uncertainties and
particularly has been unable to make
stable contracts at known prices. Com
modities have neither been produced
nor transported with the foreseeable
and dependable regularity of normal
times. and this has interfered with the
normal flow of commodities.
] The exigencies of the war period
has resulted unavoidable. it is true
in deterioration of equipment and ia
cilities which takes time to overcome.
The competition of labor has lost tc
the railroads many skilled men, just a;
lit has in other industries. This, to.
Igether with the shortened workday
basis, has made it impossible to get the
same transportation results with the
same number Of employees as before
the war.
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