The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-04-07
THINK IN EXAGGERATED TERMS
AND ARE LOST IN THE LADY.
RINTH OF WILD VACCINATIONS

The industrial world seems to have
swung badly out of it's true orbit and
no longer follows it's natural and
proper course.
Men think in exaggerated terms and
are lost in the labyrinth of wild ~imag-
nations. The wheels of industry
have, slowed down. Business is stag
nant, labor is cut off from it's living,
and the people stand in nervous
anazement at the strange turn Of af-
fairs.
There is serious friction between la
Dor and. capital, the consumer and
the producer. Labor is defiant and
determined; capital is apprehensive
and conscious. Confidence is lost, and
business moves with feeble and hesi-
tating step.
Avarice fills mems hearts, and their
greed knows no safety. Action is
controlled by low, selfish interest
rather than by high Christian princi-
pies.
Profteering has been and is, yet to
deplorable extent the greatest curse
that ever inflicted itself upon a help
less people.
Master minds are urgently needed
in every department of industry and
government to lead the way back to
normal and healthy conditions, to in
dustrial peace and financial content
ment.
The railroads have asked for and
secured greatly needed increase of
freight rates; the shippers are clam
oring for reduced transportation
charges. The employers of labor are
demanding reduction Of wages, and
are applying strong pressure to Sc
cure it; the employees are resisting as
best they can any radical cut in their
pay. But profiteering goes merrly
on.
A member of our national Congress
and prominent western senator de-
clared recently: 'The greatest obstacle
in the way of a return to normal con-
ditions and the restoration of business
is the high cost of transportation"
A certain gentleman living in tlis
county had the misfortune to lose his
dealer, who conducts large mercan-
tile establishment to replenish his
wardrobe, he found the merchant very
sympathetic and ready to- help in time
of trouble by way of making liberal
discount on any article needed. Show
ing a S35 suit. of clothes the merchant |
offered them to his unfortunate custo-
mer Just at cost, 1898. We wonder
how much lower that suit of clothes !!
would have been sold if there had been
no freight cost charged up against it.
Livestock men, it is said, are tell /!
ing the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion the exasting rates will ruin them
if continued.
Ask any farmer what he is getting |
on the local market for his beef cat
tie, then inquire of the city housewife !
what she is paying for; steak.
Z Certain conditions, whether natural
or unnatural, have forced down the
prices of raw material far below
the cost of production. Now if "big
business can only reduce the cost of
labor, or the cost of changing the raw
material into finished products, the
profteers all along the line can still |
continue to ride on the high waves of
big profits, gouging the people to their
last dollar.
Wages had scared abnormally high |
and the prices of most all commodities
went up beyond all reason, and there
there must be a new adjustment be-
tween consumer and the producer,
with the profteer eliminated before
business can be stabilized; their man
ufacturing plants will take on new
life, and the railroads get busy.
But the greatest obstructer to pre-
vent the return of prosperity and the
active resumption of business isswith-
put doubt the profiteer; he is the big
gest cuss on earth.
w. A. GATTIS FOSTER.
High Point, N. G.
March 28, 1921.