The Connecticut labor news., 1923-10-20

 individual freedom and responsibility, while communism seeks to establish central authority to regulate pro- duction, prices and individual activ- ities.
 Price regulation inevitably requires regulation of production, which in wolves exercvise of authority over the producers; and by the time the sys- tenn Is complete, there Is no room for individual initiative, ambition or judgment ,and practically no range for the free development of individual life and character Do the American people want a few men at the seat of government to do all their think ing for them, telling all the rest what they shall do and upon what terms products and services shall be ex- changed? That is the price-hxing system rounded. out to completion. Price-fxing cannot be logically or practically adopted for special pur- poses or for the benefit of special groups in order that certain ones shall receive and certain others pay. If the government IS to med dle with prices at al, 1t IS under ob- by complete adjustment of all prices
 
 pacity of any government.
 Individt1al Freedom.
 Under the existing system, the population distributes itself in the various industries and occupations ac- cording to individual choice, but in fuenced largely by the prices or rates of compensation ruling for the diff ferent commodities and services. The individual Is free to respond to the various inducements as they may appeal to them; and the public, through it's purchases, determines the flo wof labor into the several lines of production. The great super government regulation Is in the free dom and stimulus afforded to indi- vidua1 freedom, and stimulus afforded to individual life
 If as individuals we wish to man age our own affairs; If we want the. privilege of choosing our occupations, of finding our own way of being use ful in the community; if we wish to exercise our own judgment or what we shall offer on the market, we must expect to adapt ourselves to the needs and wants of the community. Prices and wages are the means by which we are notified as to commun- ity wants They constitute an auto matic system, by which, without the exercise of arbitrary authority, with no encroachment upon individual lib erty, labor IS shifted from the lines in which there is less need for 1t into lines in which there is more need for it.
 Judging from most of the com
 H. the most needful requisite is not more business or better business, but a different attitude toward business. or turnover and solTdity of the econo- mic structure are concerned, little fault may be found with the existing situation. Profits could be larger with the producer and while prices to the consumer are still high, many manu- lecturers are inclined to complain over the moderate margin above costs, although in the case of the re- taller profits without doubt are on a satisfactory basis.
 Notwithstanding the fact that the production output for 1923 IS likely to establish a new high record for any peace year, and possibly for any year on record and also, that record car loadings and the figures on retail sales give evidence of new high levels of distribution, there is no particular enthusiasm on the outlook observ- able with the general public. General conditions are sound. The money and credit outlook give no occasion for uneasiness. There Is no burdensome accumulation of goods. Following. are some of the items of the coun- try's economic position at this time:
 Employment is, "A per cent. above the 1921 low. Wages are II3.6 per cent. higher than the 1921 low. Car loadings are 52.5 per cent. above the 1921 low Building contracts are I47 per cent. above the 1921 low. Pig iron production, although 1I.2 per cent below the 1923 peak, is 2o7.3 per cent above the 1921 low. Steel 1ngot production Is I3.6 per cent. below the 1923 peak, but 1t Is 27I4 per cent. above the 1921 low. Automobile pro duction is ITS per cent. below the 1923 high, but is 5o8 per cent. above the 1921 low. Cotton consumption IS POI per cent. below the 1923 peak, but 34 per cent. above the 1921 low.
 Volume of Profits.
 Prom these figures, it may be seen that While we nave pIoSleSSeu iSS mendously since the depression of two years or more ago, we have had a substantial slowing down from the intensive activities of few months ago. From the standpoint of volume of business, there can be no com plaint. Goods have been produced, labor has been well paid, and produc- ton is passing into consumption in satisfactory fashion. As stated above, there may be some question about the margin of profit to the producer which is believed to be moderate. or smal.
 "The phase of business through which we are now passing is with the manufacturer, therefore, one of large volume with small profits. It