The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-11-03

some illustrations. The public is
aware of the facts. Eyes have been
opened. Different products have been
purchased from the farmer, manufac
turer or others at low cost n then
passed on in one way or another and
finally sold to the consumer at out
rageous prices. Retail prices, espe
cially, for many commodities are much
too high. Without justification work
men have been classified and reclassi
fed so as to designate them as skilled
men. We have heard Of persons whose
daily wage was advanced from SO to
so or $12 at one time under this
practice. You know of hundreds OF
cases illustrating what has been said
and it would be useless to further
specify.
The vast majority of business men
and workmen are sincere and fair,
but there is and perhaps always will
be a majority that ignore the princi-
pies Of common honesty. They are
sufficient in number to seriously affect
the whole situation. Until these are
aroused to the necessity Of getting in
line with sound and decent standards
tory business conditions Will be more
or less impeded.
All that have said during or since
the var concerning a return to great
nrnunnritu In thic an,ptry hoe hal,
~predicated with the principles of rea-
son, fairness and honesty.
However, in considering the question
Of prices it Is to be remembered that
many criticisms, favorable or unfavor
BILE, are made which are not justified.
The reader or listener should be sure
Of the truth before reaching a conclu-
sion. The fair-minded man, If he has
any facts, will disclose them upon re-
quest. Occasionally, a writer, through
inexperience or lack of knowledge or
otherwise, will misrepresent or misin-
terpret. Every one of us has been sub
jected to a convincing argument
against the validity or soundness of
attributed statements which we never
a straw-man in order to give evidence
made. 1t Is quite common to build
of strength in destroying him. But
this should never disturb our euua.
nlmity. We must admit we are some
right.
Now what, if anything, can be done
to improve the general situation?
answer the first thing for insistence,
throughout the world, is the observ-
ance and enforcement of law.
There is no standard for safe and
certain progress in economic effort
except an established rule Of law
which fixes and protects the rights
OF every one without discrimination.
There are degrees of virtue and Of
Tense; but right is right, and wrong
Is wrong. Wrong cannot properly be
compromised nor fostered; and SC
long as a law Is in existence it must
furnish the rule for conduct.
Recently We have read Of convic.
lions for violations OF the criminal law
by certain business men. They had
controlled selling prices and limited
production to the injury of consumers
am not familiar with the facts and
do no know whether or not moral
turpitude was charged. The men
pleaded guilty, and, of course. de.
served punishment.
And nearly every day for months
we have read Of strikers violently
attacking men who had taken or were
Offering to fiji the places made vacant,
indeed, 1t seems to be common to at.
tempt by force to prevent operation
or producing plants or transportation
lines. The freedom Of men to work
when and where they pleased, has
been interfered with. Many have been
seriously injured and some killed.
III laws shall be enforced and peace
maintained, the other questions relat.
ing to economic progress and achieve.
ment will be solved. The law of sup.
ply and demand will steadily, if gradu.
ally, bring about necessary adjust.
ments which are equitable and relative
and restore levels which are natural
and reasonable. Business will be more
or less hesitating until it is generally
believed the period of establishments
is over.
III 1t should be deemed necessary and
wise TO have governmental supervision
over organized industry in order to pro.
tect the public interest, / personally
would not object, provided the laws
and rules shall apply alike to organ
lied capital and organized labor. Many
years ago, at the request of a sena-
torial committee, l submitted the draft
OF a bill for consideration that seemed
to me then to cover the case. but there
was lack of time or disposition to give
1t immediate attention.
one OF the most hopeful signs of the
times Is the apparent disposition of
the present administration at Washing
ton to aid rather than obstruct the
natural and legitimate progress of bust.
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