The Connecticut labor news., 1923-11-17

By International Labor News Service
 Chicago, Nov. 17.-Fierce opposition and denunciation met the American Fe- iteration of Labor when it first declared thai high wages are better than cheap labor-better for the workers, better for the nation.
 Through the years organized labor has stood by its guns, insisting that high Waes promote prosperity by maintaining power of the masses. Labor has gradu- ally seen public opinion swing to its stand, until now there are few organ cations or indSiduals who have the fool ishness openly to advocate low wages. Sentiment i'll favor of high wages has been growing through the years but its growth in recent months has been es pecially rapid, business man after busi- ness man and financial institution after financial institution endorsing the stand of organized abor by pointing out how high wages keep the wheels of industry turning at full speed.
 There are still however, occasional individuals who can't get away from the low wage fallacy This is recognized by the Chicago Tribune. which has been publishing series of full page adver- tic declaration that Thigh wages are bet ter than cheap labor" The slogan is reiterated in every advertisement but E given special emphasis in one of the series by displaying it ill large type over the top of the page. The Tribunes at titude is all the more significant inas- much as 1t has never been noted for its friendliness to organized labor and the things for which organized labor stands.
 The Tribune shows no sympathy with the view that labor IS 'soldiering" on the job and it quotes with approval the fol- lowing from one of its own writers who uses the name of 'Scrutator :''
 Physical production in this country IS increasing at rate that justihes most of the wage levels, which were consid- cred abnormal Ill the post-armistice boom. Labor is producing nore and is entitled to consume more. and sure is consuming. Average production of basic industries, including agriculture, was g per cent. greater i'll the first seven months of this year than i'll the same neriod of 1919, while various employ ment tables and indexes seem to show that somethink like } per cent fewer workers are responsible for this output .''
 The Tribune's advertisements are de- signed to convey to the business world its interpretation of business conditions The advertisements declare that "Busi- ness IS as good as we make 1t" and as sert that unfounded fear is at the back of many business troubles One of these unfounded fears is the bugaboo of high wages, which the Tribune knocks out in the following reply to a chornic pessimist:
 Mr. Lugubrious Blue: Yes, my firm IS making money and so are most of the companies I am familiar with-but con- ditions are not sound. Look at labor. It IS drawing outrageous wages. It must be def1ated. Until we get back to the good old pre-war levels we can't have really enduring prosperity
 These do1eful 1a1nneas do not come from the political demagogues who want the wheat gambler subsidized. The "far- mer's friends demand higher prices for grain and lower freight rates but they also insist on higher wages-certainly
 "The man who glooms because wa