The Washington herald., 1920-11-17
CHANGES HIT
MAN MARKET
Sudden Shift to Unemploy.
ment Over Country Is
Perplexing Problem.
BY RICHARD sPILLANE.

THIS is a country OF kaleidoscope
changes. Not long ago the Job
was seeking the man. There seemed
to be no limit to the need of man
power. Today the man is seeking
the job. From all parts Of the coun-
try come reports of reduction Of
working forces and of increase in
unemployment.
Not long ago the job was a thing
ito be considered lightly. If you
didn't like it, or the boss didn't
boost your pay as often as you de-
sired. you could quit and go out and
get something more to your liking.
There never was such a situation
before and 1t probably will be a long
long time before there is its like
again.
With the hectic days there was
much shirking. Men loafed on the
job. Not so many loafed, however, as
were accused or suspected OF It.
With the various dislocations caused
by the war there was the impair
ment OF well-balanced organizations.
In nothing was this loss greater
than in reduction or scattering of
well-trained foremen. Few persons
appreciate the real Importance Of
the foreman and how large a part
he plays in production.
But labor Jagged on its Job. 1t
could dictate. 1t took advantage Of
opportunity in many, many in
stances.
If you doubt that it Jagged one
instance within the area of metro
politan Philadelphia may change
your opinion.
In one large establishment l,400
men were laid on recently. The pro-
duction the following week with the
reduced force was fully up to that
Of the full force.
What does that mean to you? Two
things. One. that there had been a
good deal of stacking in that plant
and. that those retained have an ar
dent desire to hold their jobs.
No wonder they want to hold their
jobs.
A job has suddenly become some
thing to be cherished.
no you want naturalization OF
u the coal mines? You'll have It
IL the plundering of the coal users
is not ended. That's certain.
Oht VI lnt BtSN uSCIS VI NOoA
in this country is the group of
Gas Improvement Company and its
allied interests.
The L. G. l. is sick and tired OF
coal gougers.
The L. G.. /. and its associates use
from 100000 to 2.50O,600 tons of
coal year. 1t has suffered as have
others.
Read the following. which is the
expression of Paul Thompson, vice
president of the U. G. l.:
THE suggestion by Senators Cal
der and Edge of a Senatorial inves-
tiEation which might result in a
plan for the naturalization OF the
coal mines of the country, or OF
some real way to protect the con-
sumner on this vital necessity. seems
to me to be about the only way left
to insure to public utilities sup
ply of fuel at reasonable prices. in
order that they may continue TO
supply the public at reasonable
rates with the service which is re-
quired
The public service commission
ers fix a rate to the utility based
on normal prices of raw materials.
III the coal suppiiers manipulate
their business so as TO take foi
themselves hordinate profits, then
the utilities who must buy coal
must pay to the coal men this eN-
cess profit or discontinue serving
the public.
Il do not Nike the idea Of any
governmental control of business.
and IL the coal operators were only
moderate in their demands / would
have no comment to make. But
when they are entirely inconsiderate
of the public II seems there is only
one remedy and that is some gov
ernmenta1 control whereby a fair
profit Is secured to them, but IL is
made impossible for them TO impose
unfair burdens on the users Of their
commodity. They are but one step
removed from the public utility
feid. which Is controlled by gov
ernmental agencies. 7'rhey should be
included IN Il II they continue to