The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-04-21
RUSSIA WILL ADMIT WAR
I AND PRE- WAR DEBTS IF
GRANTED ENOUGH AID
MANUFACTURERS MUST
REDUCE THEIR COSTS
But They Should Not Do 1t By Reduc-
ing Wages, According to Sen. Nc
Cumber in Tariff Debate.

Cumber in Tariff Debate.
Washington, D. G., April 2l.
Launching the ADMINISTRATION tariff
bill yesterday in the Senate, Chairman
McCumber of the finance committee
warned manufacturer, factory laborel
and retailer alike that protective tar
iff alone would not bring a revival OF
business; that there must be reduc.
ton Of costs to within the reach of the
consumers pockctbook before there
could be return to "old-time pros
perity."
Senator McCumber said the way to
reduce costs was for the manufactur-
er and the retailer to be satisfied with
most meagre" profits for while and
for the factory employees to increase
their efficiency 'to the highest possible
degree In view of the present high
cost of living, he added, ''it would be
most unjust" FOR the manufacturer to
begin his economy by cutting wages.
"This proposed legislation will open
the way to prosncrify in the United
States but it win not, unaided, bring
about this result" declared Senator
McCumber. "The American people
must do the rest and right here, want
to say a word to the American manu-
facturer and the American laborer in
our factories. This bill is intended to,
and believe it will, sufficiently pro-
tect your market against any exces siye
foreign invasion, but just remember
that over 90 per cent Of all our prod
ucts must be consumed right here at
home
Il think I am clearly within the ac-
tual facts when | say that two-thirds
of the American people, the bread win
ners in the United States, are not re-
ceiving an income any greater than
their pre- Svar income. The net earnings
of the agricultural class are, on the
whole, below the present income, When
we deduct the rents, the added taxes
and costs OF upkeep of the homes Of
another one third of our population
who are also bread winners--it will be
found that their net income is below
the pre-war INCOME.
when / say that these people can
not spend any more than they earn, l
think | have sufficiently foreshadowed
the necessity on the part Of the man
ufacturers Of bringing down the pro-
duction cost of their commodities to
within the purchasing reach OF this
vast army Of American farmers and
American wage earnersa reach that
cannot extend one inch beyond the
limit of their earnings.
1--WE have tried to help bridge this
gulf between the production. cost OF
articles and the consuin-
ers' ability to buy them by doing what.
we can to increase the purchasing pow
or Of the latter and it is now down TO
meet the size of the consumers pocket
book. With the present high cost Of
living it would be most unjust to start
his economy by forcing reduction in
the wages of his employees.
Knowing that the principal cost Of
idle mills and idle men is this dispar-
itv between manufacturers cost of
production and consumers ability TO
pay, / think / can suggest a course
that will do more for our national
than can be accomplished
by any kind of law tariff, or otner-
wise. Let the manufacturer be salts
fed with a most meagre return upon
his investment for while, then let the
employees increase their efficiency TO
the highest possible degree. Then II
the retailer will just follow the man
afacturer the great American public,
now hungry for more and better things,
will give employment to all to supply
rs demands and old time prosperity
will again reign throughout the land"
After Senator McCumber's address
there was a dispute between Repubh-
,ans and Democrats as to procedure,
with a result that the reading of the
i4O page bill was ordered. This con-
,umed the remainder of the day and Il
was announced that when the Senate
to-day il would proceed to
The consideration of the two thousand
,dd committee amendments.
Senator Jones, Democrat, New Mex
co. asked whether the majority pro-
posed to take up the question Of adopt
ny American OF foreign valuation. SEN
ltor McCumber said the majority was
committed to foreign valuation and
ldded that he did not believe the ques-
ion would be raised in the Senate al
.hough forming the subject of differ
nee with the House later. Senator
Simmons declared the Senate should
10 on record on the question or other
wise there might develop situation
where il would have to accept Amer
can valuation after the bill was in
conference.
Il still strongly believe the House
will agree TO foreign valuation" replied
senator McCumber. sIf ii should not
md we get into deadlock. il will be
ime enough to discuss the question
hon. To discuss IL now would be only |
waste Of time"
In opening his prepared address on
he committee bill. Senator McCumber
old the Senate that a protective tariff
ind a reduction in production costs
we're necessary ito reconstruct the com
nercial bridge across the chasm sep
rating the cost Of production in the
-nited Sfates and abroad"
FREIGHT EARNINGS GROW.