The Bismarck tribune., 1933-08-28
ChiseIinr the N. r.. A,

Chiseling the N. r. A.
Granting that General Hugh john
son and his aides in the recovery ad-
ministration have more to do than
they reasonably can be expected to
accomplish in q limited period, they
should lose no time in pushing ahead
with their efforts to hold down the
cost Of living.
It, more than any other single
thing, threatens the success OF the
whole national recovery program, for
it is the one thing which may cause
the public to grow suspicious and lag
in its support.
There is plenty Of work for strong
man with a heavy hand In this task,
for it appears an indisputable fact
that "chiselers' are attempting to
line their own pockets by cheating
the codes and, at the same time,
using them as an excuse for charg-
ing higher prices.
Bismarck Is not without its exam
pies to prove the truth Of this asser-
tion.
A local merchant recently ordered
a consignment Of cotton goods. That
was before the NRA code for the tex
tile industry went into effect.
The other day the shipment ar
rived and with 1t came bill in which
the price was boosted substantially
with the explanation that the increase
was made necessary by the tax on
raw cotton and the textile code.
There is no way Of knowing, Of
course, but there seems grave doubt
that the materials were manufac-
tured under the code at all. For
ward looking textile firms saw the
code coming; had their mills work.
ing "a hours a day turning out goods.
AS soon as the code became effective
they slowed down. They had piled
up inventories for sale at the new
and higher prices.
Bearing directly on this point Is a
recent report by Secretary OF Labor
Perkins. It showed that many cot
ton mills were not living up to the
minimum wage scales.
The net result, 1t IS easy to guess
will be trouble all down the line with
those who have confused the blue
eagle with a chisel-beaked vulture
and are seeking opportunities to gyp
the public while hiding under its
wings. It means trouble for every
one, particularly for the merchant
who may himself be giving every
cooperation but who must pass on
higher costs to the consumer. It
means trouble for the home maker
who finds added difficulty in making
the family budget cover the fam
ily's needs.
Unless General johnson manages
to clip the wings Of the business vul-
lures the whole program will fail
for the simple reason that the people
will be unable to support it. Unless
the recovery program is translated
into terms Of higher purchasing
power for the public at large, the
whole splendid idea must be aban-
doned.
The idea that this is another war
in which a united nation is needed
must not be permitted to inspire
memories in the minds Of the prof.
teers who found the last real war so
profitable. It Is q war, to be sure,
but not the kind of war which can
be permitted to produce countless
millionaires.
Meanwhile, there is no reason to
lose confidence now. These things
were to be expected, human nature
being what it Is. There would be
real cause for worry II they had not
developed. There is no indication
that the recovery administration will
be unable to deal with them effec-
lively. General johnson has shown
q marvellous capacity for getting
things done and a will to accomplish
real results for the people Of the ma
tion. He may be trusted to find a
way Of dulling the chisels Of the un-
fair price Nfters.