Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-06-08
EDITO RIAL.
FREIGHT RATES AND WAGES

IT is regrettable that the railroad
workers seem to find it necessary
to take a strike vote All this time,
with the apparent likelihood of an
overwhelming decision to walkout as
a result of the wage reductions an
nounced for July 1. While all good
citizens wish to see the railroad man
receive the fullest benefits of his
labors, and while it would be to the
institution in Americas to see the
railroad men here paid high wages
because that would mean they would
have money to spend there are two
sides to every question, this among
them, and we repeat, it is regrettable
that the men will even take strike
vote at this time.
We say this because only a few
days ago the Interstate Commerce
Commission in a single order reduced
freight rates which, it is estimated,
will reduce the revenues of the rail
roads of the country by $60O,O0O,-
600 per year. These reductions will
become effective July and it cannot
but be several weeks at least-and
probably few months before they
will be felt by the public in lowered
cost of living, as they are certain
to be.
Six hundred millions in one or
Ter! The wage board in its first
reduction order few days ago cut
Off $48,O0O,000 of railroad expense
and that last Tuesday cut off another
$60,00O,OO0; there are more to come,
but hardly as much as 100000, 900
in total.
The workers argue that the reduc-
ton will lower their standard of liv.
ing. 1t probably will do so for the
first two or three months. After
that the result of the rate reductions
should make itself felt, and the bal.
ance restored and more.
Unless it be argued that the mer
are now underpaid, it would appear
obvious that the cuts in rates ana
wages very largely should offset each
other after brief period of read
Justment. And the general effect
should be very pronounced. II
should be a conspicuous business
stlmulator, resulting in more general
employment than today among the
railroad men, as well as other trades.
and consequently greater income,
when judged by the standard of pur-
chasing power of income received.
The monthly letter of the Alexan-
der Hamilton Institute, a great in
stitution of economics, comments
very llluminatingly on this topic as
follows:
Trade revival would have devel-
oped before the end of the year with
out cut in freight rates, but pros
perity will be substantially healthier
ana more pronounced because of tbe
[eaucuon announced to take effect
July l. The cut of 10 per cent will
De based on rates of August, 1920.
Inc lower freight rates will cause
some reduction in retail prices II
Is short-slghted, however, to consider,
only the lower cost of transportation
GA goods from the factory to the re-
taiier In estimating the full benefit
OF cheaper transportation. Factories
"Hl now be able to get cbeaper cooI
FACTORY labor will benefit from a
Increase IN the cost of shipping brick
ana cement, as this will helm me.s
ulably IN reducing rents. The cost
u making steel will decline over =
uoiiar ton Cheaper fuel, food and
construction will reduce the fac+on,,
cost OF every class of merchandise
me reduction in the price of anv ono
Shipment of goods will seem en,au
:, put the diffusion of cheassr trans,
Z : por'ation throughout tb,fet dfferent
IN piouuet1> 5-Aistribu-
r IN will bring the -Z-.;no 49,.
ad betussn tc,2duxd Frienfbetterr ' hs,-
e'"eeh Coi-Sord and A "e''er Dal-
, Goodyear tire and ri
!. fihder please return alton of trans
'"' Americus, Ca industries was
- FOR RENT 80 "a u.
RENT nENT-Iaree furnished "'''0" 'nteill-