The New York herald., 1921-10-12
Lower Rail Rates, Revision of
< Taxes and Tariff Are Sup
ported in Council.
PRICES ARE OUT OF LINE
Harding Conferees Assert Sea-
s0nal Trade in U. 8. Should
Be Corrected.
Special Despatch TO THE NEW Yonk HmALD.

Washington, ID. e., Oct. IL.
A permanent, semi-official advisory
commission to selp the nations busi-
ness back TO it's feet Is likely to grow out
OF the conference on unemployment The
general economic readjustment which is
expected to be national
The conference, which resumed plen-
airy sessions this afternoon following a
weeks recess, called on business men
and Government agencies to put into
effect at once these eight remedial meas
ures:
Readjustment of railway rates to
fair business OF the relative value of
commodities.
Speedy tax revision with reduc-
tions.
Definite settlement of tariff leg!sla-
tion. IS
Quick financial settlement between
the Government and railroads.
Limitation of world armament.
Sterilization of foreign exchange
rates
Elimination of waste in industry
and seasonal operations.
Alignment of wholesale and retail
prices.
Creation OF an agency or commission
70 STE tiIdt tle programme oi the cOu-
ference is carried INTO effect throughout
the country will be planned on Friday,
said Secretary Hoover.
Out of this committee may grow the
permanent Government advisory COM
mittee for business.
That the Government underwrite $2.-
500,000.000 in loans to the unemployed
was a PROPOSAL laid before the confer
ence by John l.. Lewis. president Of the
United Mine Workers of America, whose
suggestion will receive consideration at
the next meeting of the committee on
unemployment.
The eight measures were declared
essential to constructive and immediate
settlement IL recovery in business and
permanent employment are to be ex-
peditiously accomplished"
The conference also made public tables
OF index figures gathered by the Com
merce and Labor Departments to show
the varying effects which defiation Of
prices, labor and operating costs have
had on farmers. mine operators, manu-
afcturers and retailers.
It was shown that living costs in May
were so per cent above 1913. At the
same time the average price of farm
crops TO the producer were only . per
cent. above 1913 and the average whole
sale price of foods So per cent. higher.
Wheat was % per cent. above the pre-
war price to the farmer, but bread at
wholesale was 72 per cent. higher:
While the farmer was receiving .
per cent less than in 1913 for his
beef cattle, the wholesale price OF
beef carcass at Chicago was "a per
cent above the prewar price.
Cotton to the producer brought per
cent. more than In 1913, but as print
cloth at wholesale the price was 81
per cent. more than in the pre-war
period.
The conference also gave a general
estimate Of all union wage scales. which
were put at SO per cent. above 1913.
In proposing that the Government dis
count S2,500. 100000 worth of promis-
sorry notes to be signed by the nations
unemployed. John l.. Lewis. head OF the
mine workers. said this was only tenn
borary measure intended to relieve the
1obless AS permanent measure
against unemployment he proposed that
the Government require all corporations
In Interstate commerce to build a re-
serve employment fund equal to one-haf
Of the annual payroll Out of this.
he said. the corporation could carry
workers through slack periods and
periods of seasonal unemployment
Investigation by Government agency
Of all wnge scales also was proposed
by Lewis. The investigation, he said.
would show that workers are not get
ting pay out OF proportion to living
costs despite continuance Of some war
time scales. Wages. he declared. should
not be Debated.
Lewis's plan for Government loans
would be carried out through Federal
commission on unemployment credit
which would pass on applications OF
jobless workers. Loans would be lirn-
tied to 500 a month for heads of fami-
lies and $50 a month for single per-
sons. Mr.. Lewis said:
THE notes could be discounted at
pational banks The Government would
protect the banks by issuing and de-
posting lhort time Treasury certificates
as collateral. These credits would no,
total In excess OF two ana one-haIf
billion dollars. Less than 10 per cent
of the available credits of the bank
ing system Of the country could be
absorbed. Through the availability or
these credits the self-respect and dig
nifty OF the worker could be main
tanned"
Lewis said similar plans are being
considered in England and other coun-