New Britain herald., 1921-05-27
PRICES TOO HIGH FOR BUSINESS TO
 STAND, GARY SAYS
(continucd from First Page.)

tton workmen's wages have been ad- vanced through reclassification so as to designate them as skilled men.
 Prices Also Too High.
 "I think" he continued. that there have been and still are charged and collected for certain commodi- ties unreasonable and unfair if not extortionate prices. They apply to particular lines and persons.
 "The public is aware of the facts. Eyes have been opened. Different products have been purchased from the farmer, manufacturer or others at low cost and then passed on in one way or another and finally sold to the consumer at outrageous prices.
 Honesty R Essential.
 The vast majority of businessmen and workmen arc sincere and fair but there is and perhaps always will be a minority that ignores the princi- ples of common honesty. They are sufficient in number to seriously af- feet the whole situation. Until these are aroused to the necessity of get ting fin line with sound and decent standards of conduct the full return to satisfactory business conditions will be more or less impeded."
 He urged that the observance and enforcement of law he insisted upon throughout the world as a necessity to tho improvement of the general situation.
 ''If laws shall be enforced and peace maintained' added Mir. Gary. tho other questions relating to economic progress and achievement will be solved.
 On Govt. Control.
 'If H should be deemed necessary and wise to have governmental su- pervision over organized industry in order 10 protect the public interest. I personally would not object. provid- cd the laws and rules shall apply alike to organized capital and or- ganized labor"
 The speaker asserted that one of the most hopeful signs of the times was the apparent disposition of the present administration at Washing ton to air rather than obstruct the natural and legitimate progress of business ....
 "Any one who intentionally fails to appreciate this desire or neglects to cooperate to the limit of his ability is his own worst enemy he added.
 Schwab Optimistic.
 Economy is the keynote of quick recovery of business, said Charles NJ. schwao. chairman of the board of the Bethlehem Steel Go.
 There must be economy in labor and above all else in transportation coats Mr. Schwnb declared adding that the steel business would profit by the economy to which it was forced by business conditions.
 Economy is Keynote.
 We are going to be forced 10 ecpnomise so as to put our business here on basis with that of the steel business in other countries" he explained.
 Expressing belief that the money shortage and btlsiness depression would end and that there would be a return to normalcy. MT. Schwab continued:
 This is a time for encouragement. time to be hopeful. a time to be optimistic and we all will come out all right. have never lost faith in the future of tho industry or the future of America"
 Farmers Need More.
 The veiws of MT. schwab, were en- dorsed by James J. Campbell. presi- dent of the Youngstown Sheet Tube Co.,, who said railroads should have the power to control and classify their labor.
 ""rvhc farmers of the country" he said. must receive more or purchase less. Under present transportation costs. they realize very little on their produce.
 ''wc are not getting anywhere. The slight reduction in railroad labor costs is not enough. hope, how ever. that tho building trades unions will see the light soon and railroad labor will come to their senses and bring down prices"
 Can't Cut Wages Now.
 MT. Gary replied that it was hardly fair to expect labor to work for less pay when commodities still were maintained at high price level
 Whether or not the railroads are receiving too much under the present rate" he added, depends upon whether they are managing their business as well as they should and whether they are receiving too large a net profit. Tn order to justify a de- crease in rates. there must be a de- crease in the thtings that the rail- roads have to buy"