The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-21

CStdO44SnlnS the economies ana DuSl
ness methods so essential to the
minimum of expenditure.
The Adjustment of Prices.
One condition in the business world
may well receive your inquiry. Della
ton has been in progress, but has
failed 10 reach the mark where il
can be proclaimed to the great mass
of consumers. Reduced cost of basic
production has been recorded. but
high cost OF living has not yielded
in like proportion. For example. the
prices Of grain and livestock have
been Debated, but the cost of bread
and meats is not adequately reflect
ed thegein. 1t is to be expected that
non-perishable staples will be slow
in yielding to lower prices, but the
maintained retail costs in perishable
foods cannot be justified.
have asked the federal trade com
mission for a report of its observa-
tions and it attributes. in the main.
the failure to adjust consumers cost
TO basic production costs to the eX-
change Of information by open price
associations" which operate, evident
ly within the law, TO the very great
advantage of their members and
equal disadvantage 70 the consuming
public. Without the spirit of hosti-
ity or haste in accusation of profit
teering. some suitable inquiry by
congress might speed the price read
justment to normal relationship with
helpfulness TO both producer and
consumer. a measuring rod of fair
prices will satisfy the country and
give US a business revival to end all
depression and unemployment.
Rail Efficiency is Necessary.
II is little to be wondered what ill
considered legislation, the war strain,
government operation in needless
ness OF cost, and the conflicting pro-
grams. or the lack of them. for res
toration have brought about a most
difficult situation, made doubly diff
ficult by the low tide of business. All
are so intimately related that no i'm
provement will be permanent until
the railways are operated efficiently
at cost within that which the traf-
fic can bear.
II we can have it understood that
congress has no sanction for govern
ment ownership. that congress does
not levy taxes upon the people to
cover deficits in a service which
should be self-sustaining, there will
be an avowed foundation on which
to rebuild.
Freight carrying charges have
mounted higher and higher until com
merce is halted and production dis
cOuraged. Railway rates and cost of
operation must be reduced.
Congress may well investigate and
let the public understand wherein
our system and federal regulations
are lacking in helpfulness or hinder
ing in restrictions. The remaining
obstacles which are the heritance of
capitalistic exploitation. must be re-
moved and labor must join manage
ment in understanding that the pub
lie which pays is the public to be
served, and simple justice is the
right and will continue to be the
right of all the people.
Hits County Unit Road Building.
The highways are not only feeders
to the railroads and afford relief
from their local burdens. they are
actually lines of motor traffic in in
terstate commerce. They are the
smaller arteries of the larger part of
our commerce, and the motor car has
become an indispensable instrument
in our political. social and industrial
life
There has begun a new era in high
way construction, the outlay for
which runs far into hundreds of mil
lions of dollars. Bond issues by
road districts. counties and states
mount to enormous figures. and the
country is facing such an outlay that
it is vital that every effort shall be
directed against wasted effort and
unjustifiable expenditure.
Tho fpdara1 pnUarnnnanf nIaRa
no inhibition on the expenditure in
the several states; but since congress
has embarked upon a policy of assist
ing states in highway improvement,
wisely. | believe, it can assert a
wholly becoming influence in shap-
ing po''
With , principle of federal par
ticipatio. acceptably established,
probably never to be abandoned, it is
important to exert federal influences
in developing comprehensive plans
looking to the promotion of COM
merce. and apply our expenditures in
the surest way to guarantee public
return for money expended.
Large federal outlay demands a fed
eral voice in the program of expendi-
ture. Congress cannot justify a mere
gift from the federal purse to the
SEVERAL SldlCSs " De pIO-Idl6u dLHOuS
counties for road betterment Such
a course will invite abuses which it
were better to guard against in the
beginning.
For "A Great Merchant Marine.
Linked with rail and highway is
the problem of water transportation
inland, cOastwise and trans-oceanic.
IL is not possible, on this occasion,
to suggest TO congress the additional
legislation needful to meet the aspir-
atoms OF our people for a merchant
marine. In the emergency of war
we have constructed a tonnage equal
ing our largest expectations. Its war
cost must be discounted to the act
ual values of peace. and the large
difference charged to the war emer-
gency, and the pressing task is to
turn our assets in tonnage to an
agency OF commerce.
II is not necessary to say il TO con-
gress. but l have thought tbs TO be
a befitting occasion to give notice
that the United States means 10 es-
tablish and maintain a great mer-
chant marine.