Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-03
STRIKES BY THE MULTITUDE.

STRIKES BY THE MULTITUDE.
We have read a good deal Of late
about the consumers strike" against
high prices, We have also bevn told
strike. because of low prices for their
products. The terms are inaccurate
ly applied, especially to the action of
IN. individual purchasers of the coun-
t-y in lessening their purchases.
The word strike" is used to denote
collective action, is a colloq:ailism
which has become a recognized form
Of expression. 1t implies deliberate
action in accordance with IN UNDER
stood plan. Usually it involves ryan
ization, although strikes havc often.
been declared on the spur of the mo-
ment. and have been carried out with
out definite pre-arrangement. But un-
less we are to give an entirely new
meaning to the word we cannot apply
it to the falling off in retail purchas-
es which has characterized recent
months.
There was a general impression
throughout the country hat the prices
of most commodities were 90 high,
and people bought less freely. But
there was no organization, no concert
ed action, nj leadership, and neither
times nor prices were fixed. There
was nothing about the situation which
resembled the characteristic failures
oGwhat we usually call a strike.
The movement against high prices
was spcntan .ous, although it was un-
doubtedly contagious. 1t vas known
that prices were high because of con-
ditions arising from the war. 1t wa
taken for granted ths. at some time
in the near future, with thu war end
ed, prices would be reduced. The
public regarded price reduction as in
evitable.
e In addition to the state of mind in
duced by the universal expectation OF
lower prices there was the fact tina:
more and more people were finding
retrenchment in their personal expen'
ditures necessary. Wisely or unwisely
necessarily or not, millions of people
had spent their entire incomes, and
very many of them had spent part OF
all of their savings. Incomes mus
be increased, purchases mus. be less
ened, or prices must come down.
The expansion of incomes seemed
to have reached about its limit. Price!
remained high, and people perforc'
quit buying more than they were
obliged to buy. The practice nee be
, gun, it attracted attention, and NOR
and more people followed it. The pro
cess was purely natural. 1t represent
ed the working out of one of the law!
of trade. People will buy what the.
want when they have the price ant
feel that they can afford to pay it
), ! When they nave not the money OF
consider the goods too costly they will
not buy. And because of the lessen
ed inclination to buy, prices were re
= duced. r q
The production Of foodstuffs is gov
> erned by the same laws. OCCASIONAL.
there may be a concerted movemen
which has a passing influence on pro
duction or sales. But in the long rul
farmers, like all other persons, will
produce those things which they be
l;eve it will pay them to produce. l
the production of a particular crol
shows unusual profits for a season O
two, more farmers are attracted t
the raising of that crop. Productioi
exceeds demand and prices decline
The particular crop becomes less at
!. tractiye. and greater attention is pal
to some other branch Of agricultur.
There is a good deal said Just nov
about the prospect of a farmers strik
which is to take the form Of lessen
- ing the acreage of wheat. or of lesser
!, ing the output of foodstuffs altogeth
er. There may be a lessening o
:, wheat acreage, or Of grain acreag
generally. But if there is i. will be tn
result of the conviction in the mind
reap better returns by devoting the
acres to other purposes-the produ,
ton of coarse grains rather tina
:. wheat. or the production Of meat an
dairy products rather than grains. Bl
that will not be a strike. 1t will b
the application by the individual farm
= er+of the ordinary economic laws /
his business.
.All - as.tE5fEEf