Evening star., 1922-10-22
Readjustment of Wages.

Readjustment of Wages.
We heard much regarding the need
.or a readjustment in wages during
the early months of the year. Cuts
were made and employees stood the
cuts. More slashing found the work
ers in mines and on railroads and in
factories opposing by strike with
might and main any further conces-
sions to the readjustment needed
theory.
Serious strikes followed, railroads
cut OF trains. shipments Of nom
essentials were refused and other
more serious and unfavorabie devel-
opments that usually attend serious
strikes followed.
Further readjustment was still in
the air when the United States Steel
Corporation sidetracked readjustment
Of wages in a most effectual manner
by advancing wages 20 per cent right
OH the bat and with no apparent
cause or reason.
wage boost is still a mystery. unless
| it was to prevent another attempt. TO
unionize the corporation or q deter
, mination to check the strike and
| curtailing of wage movement at once.
And 1t was eminently successful IL
| such was the end and purpose OF the
| raise.
Wage cutting did not go far; ad-
! vances were rather the rule. And
prosperity came to every worker. un-
expected prosperity, with builders
employees in every line making daily
wages that they never dreamed Of.
Consequently labor has prospered
muchly.
Corporations. railroads, rich men
and wage workers have prospered.
There may be exceptions. but, as a
class, each has prospered far and
away above anticipations.
The great middle class. frequently
referred to by politicians, etc. as
the bone and sinew Of this country"
the so-called salary workers" and
the agricultural population.
Those who dwell in cities on sala.
ries have experienced a hard time
| making both ends meet.
Rents and Living Costs.
Rents. keeping pace with the ad-
| vances in the wages Of artisans have
| advanced abnormally. and this class
Of consumers have found prices on
practically everything except cloth
! ing advancing. as uncontrolled retail
crs Of the peoples foods and other
| necessities put the Jacks under every
| article of food. coal and necessities
! while the only things the salary man
| and woman can tight with any degree
| of success are the street car fares,
| electric light cost and gas for cook
ing purposes. three of the most mod
| erate-priced essentials on the entire
| list.
A so per cent increase In car fare
| means 2 to 21s cents for each ride q
| SO per cent increase in rents means
$50 to $50 a month to the average
! worker, while the 5 cents q day in
crease In car fare is but $3.50 q
| month.
| Rent is indeed a heavy item, but
1t becomes a burden when one CON
siders other increases as well. The
average salary IL utterly inadequate
! Washington is rapidly becoming a
And this is costing $50 to $50
| monthly. Other cities find the same
| conditions prevailing.
The purchasing power of this grea,
middle class Is restricted.
| Farmers: while materially better
far from happy over the situation
They know the prices their produce
brings in the markets of the world
and that their share is not the part
that usually goes to the lion-in thi,
! case the man who does the work.
products that there would be If Eu.
rope could eat its fill and pay for it
| The result is that farmers, while
| happier than last year, are far from
recovering their full buying power.
| The rich. the wage-workars, ready
| to do their share Of maintaining q
high. degree Of the prosperity that
has returned: the great middle class
purchasing as necessities demand and
| the farmers accumulating in abou,
the same manner, without much Of or
export trade.
These are facts that must be given
., due consideration when considering
the bushes outlook.
Higher prices naturally increase
| the volume OF the bank clearings.
Distributing Stock
| For the last fifteen months the
Now York stock market has been dis.
counting prosperity !n its yarioSs
stock dividend fsil tat-it had bssn
discounted. 50. too. with numerous
other favorable developments-andt t.
4 close observer 1t looks, with 9
couple Of weeks more distribution
| as II the long expected and looked.
for reaction might be expected.
w. b. Hibbs 4 CO. open New Quarter
W. B. Hibbs 4 Co. viii open theil
new oMces on the tenth floor Of tht
Hlbbs building tomorrow morning
also retaining their customers rooms
It is expected that the splendlt
auartars on the tenth floor will at
trGct = large part Of the regular cus
toners. those who spend the create
part Of the day watching the action
Of the market, and thus relieve tn,
pressure on. the main foor quarters.
TIE sH ssss'nE ron = hssL sp.as sss
II Jioht and air In AaneGlalfvg conf fort