Evening star., 1933-08-13

As long as these two factors, wages.
which represent consuming power, and
prices, remain at about the same level
the situation holds certain elements OF
safety, but when prices begin to out
strip wages it becomes ominous and
dangerous That Is exactly what would
have happened if industry had been
permitted to organize first and pass
along the increased wages and employ
ment later. Prices would be SO high
that few would be able to buy, and all
Of us would be much worse of than
ever
Such a plan might have been FEAST
Bile II this program had been under
taken in q period of prosperity, but
industry, and most Of the rest Of US
for that matter. do not seem to be con-
cerned about what the future holds for
us when times are booming. Right
now there are millions of unemployed
in America, and those who have jobs
are living on reduced incomes. Any
wildcat price lifting would have its first
bearing directly on the creature neces-
would intensity rather than alleviate
their distress. As it is, we already have
been confronted with that problem to
some extent II 1t Is not effectively
checked 1t may lead to a new collapse.
But we are not going to stand for
skyrocketing prices until the consum-
ing power Of the country has been
raised That is the principal reason
why the President has promulgated his
re- employment agreement.
The flood of kilograms and letters Of
approval that poured into Washington
in almost torrential proportions after
the Presidents PRONUNCIATION Of the
Presidents Unemployment agreement
and the number of individual codes
that have been coming in since, Is in
dicative of the attitude of the Ameri-
can people toward the whole recovery
aroused, and the active and stern re-
solve exists that this movement shall
succeed. With the people in this mood
it would be no time for anybody to
temporize or seek to delay its progress
for selfish reasons.
The danger of price levels advancing
too rapidly before the countrys con-
Stunning power could be stepped up un-
der the recovery program already has
been stressed. A trend in this direc-
ton appeared, and it became apparent
that unless it was Immediately checked
it might frustrate the entire plan. The
Presidents Unemployment agreement
was promulgated to meet this contin-
gency, with the object of bringing up
purchasing power and price levels with
some degree Of simultaneousness. 1t
was recognized that this must be done,
immediate If there was to be no set
back in the return of prosperity.
All Expected TO- Do Share.
The Presidents Unemployment agree
ment represents an individual agree
ment with the President, whereby an
employer agrees to shorten hours, raise
wages and cooperate with his employees
in q peaceful settlement Of their differ
ences the day he puts his signature to
the document. He has until September
l to decide whether or not he will
enter such an agreement. In effectu-
ating these agreements, both employees
and the public are expected to do their
share, the employees in cooperating
Fundamentally with the management,
and the public in supporting all those
employers and employees who do their
part to accomplish the purpose of the
plan. which is to put men back to
work.
Every industry and every employer
ment agreement or who Is subject to
a specific code which has been ap-
proved by the President, will be en-
rolled as q member of the National
Recovery Administration and author
lied to use the official N. r. A. seal
ON his premises, equipment, products
and communications.
That is the essence Of the plan. 1t
will be made known in every home In
the country by an intensive campaign
Of publicity that Is now going on.
This is not Q ballyhoo campaign, but
an appeal to the good instincts Of eur
people After four years Of hopeless
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