The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-06

and yen We are mot Getting enough
money.
The writer now tens Us don't
forget We are still paying war prices
for house rents, doctor bills, DEN
lists bills, &c
But he does not appear to have
the ability tofrealiEe that there Is
now an acute shortage OF houses,
/! and there are many applicants for
each vacancy who are bidding
against each other, which probably
has as much or more to do with
the present high rents than DELHI.
crate protiteering by the land.
lords. The high rents will remain
just SO long as there is a shortage
OF houses, and the shortage Of
houses will continue, Just as long
as the cost OF building remains so
higk that the investor can not see
a promise for a reasonable return
on the money invested.
Building materials have been re.
duced 30 to 60 per cent. from the
peak prices, depending on kinds,
and labor will be compelled to &C.
cept It's share Of the readtustment
/ before It can get relief from high
rents.
And further the writer asks docs
the public think we should submit
to q few men who, by their ex.
ploitatlon Of labor and the general
public, &C."
oh We Gods: Can you believe IT,
In the face Of the facts as outlined
above where the "exploiters" ac.
tuallyfget on the average about 10
per cent. and the poor exploited
class have only been getting from
$50 per cent. up, and then their
champion has the colossal nerve
to appeal to the dear public" and
i say the contractors have been ex.
plotting and profiteering. Oh con.
sistency, thou art, In the eyes OF
the Building Trades Council, a junk
shop.
\ And now he whines 'because OF
our utilization with a labor union
we are looked upon as a sort OF
criminal class, &C." and yet he
yells stop thief at the contractors
who are running way with hand.
full of the goods, while the follow.
ers of the Trades Council is trying
to get away with a truck load. But
any disrespect into which any labo.
organization may have fallen Is duo
entirely to their own actions.
And any organization whether
labor union or not that is organized
or conducted for the sole purposs
Of advancing the selfish interests
! OF Its members at the expense OF
the public has no legal or moral
right to exist in any community.
But any labor union that Is con,
Quoted on fair, honest and business.
like principles can perform a real
service to the public, advance the
interests Of its members as a whole
and become an asset to the coamu.
nifty. But this can not be done by
a few affiliated with the Trades
Council notifying the public that
"all construction work must be
done under thor direction" anu that
those not affiliated can not work
in the city. Because this Is not in
accordance with the American citI.
zen's idea OF freedom. We are II.
nally advised ''the question OF
wages will be taken up and due con.
sideration is always given, &C.,
Since We can only Judge the future
by the past 1t Is no doubt but what
the dear public" very plea sanity
anticipates the kind? consideration
It will receive from the very beaey.
olent? Trades Council.
| Then the writer for the cormit.
tee says, I'VE wish to extend thanks
to the good citizens for the tayors
&C." 1t is enough to make the
Gods weep to know tho public has
not arisen en- masse and In chorua
say to the, poor exploited class you
are doubly welcome? to orr 100 per
cent oYerpayment, and We are real.
ly surprised that you should have
made any mention Of It.
Now Mr.. Editor, we regret 10 en-.
croach on your valuable space. but
We thought It might be .! interest to
the public to know What dear"
good thing It has been TO the Trades
Council during the pas: yeai, when
viewed from the standpoint Of one
of the 10 per cent explorers.
But as viewed from our stand.
point the public is not altogether
responsible for the present con6i.
lions, but large portion CT the re.
sponsibility must be accepted bv
the contractors themselves. due to
their short sighted policy and spine.
less actions.
A 1O% EXPLoTTER