The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-10-25

newspaper and also the local news Of
spontaneous origin published herein
All rights of republication Of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Plain Common Sense
President Roosevelt's retreat" from
the MIRA, in 50 far as the smaller
towns Of the country are concerned
is an evidence Of good common sense.
1t should do much to diminish the
barrage of criticism which has come
from the agricultural areas as q re-
suit OF the blue eagle, even though
it is not, in itself, an answer to cur
rent EMBELLISHMENTS.
In the first rush Of enthusiasm for
the NRA, everyone strove to obtain
the coveted insignia. TO many 1t
appeared that failure to do SO would
mean both social ostracism and "busi-
ness DEATH" the latter phrase having
been coined by General Hugh John
son, NRA administrator.
As q result, nearly every store In
nearly every town blossomed out with
the blue eagle poster. They were
easily obtained. All one had to do
was to sign the presidents blanket
code.
In actual practice. however. living
up to the requirements has not been
50 easy. particularly for the mer-
chant In the small town.
In . great many cases. observance
Of the code has meant the addition
Of one clerk. II the number previ-
ously employed was only one, 1t
meant . boost Of 100 per cent In
overhead costs. II two clerks had
previously been employed. the boost
was so per cent.
The money had to come from some
where and 50 prices sky-rocketed.
The farmer found that his cream
check. only slightly larger than at
the minimum prices recorded earlier
in the year, was buying less than It
ever had before. The same thing held
true with hts revenue from other
products. when he had any. And In
this area the drouth materially re-
duced the volume Of what the farmer
had to sell.
Another factor which may not be
overlooked. i that some merchants,
after joining the MIRA. disregarded
the code provision not to mark up
prices any more than was justified
by the increased expense. and added
a little more to provide an extra
profit.
In great many cases this was JUS
titled, for some business houses had
been going steadily into the red and
the new scheme OF things gave them
. chance to get even.
But justified or unjustified. the
effect was the same. The farmers
products, translated into terms Of
money, were not buying what they
should buy. The rise began with the
advent Of the blue eagle and SO his
antagonism was directed toward It.
He had cause to protest and he did
50 with characteristic yigor.
Now the majority Of stores In
towns OF $500 or less can restore
their businesses to the previous con-
dition II they care to do 50. The blue
eagle no longer offers legitimate rea-
son for tipping prices because of In
creased overhead costs. It no longer
serves as shield for profiteering on
the part Of those who were disposed
TO ''chisel."
In fairness to all merchants, how
ever. it should be made clear that
prices will never again return to the
low levels OF the last year while the
MIRA codes are effective in industry.
Goods are costing the merchant more
and he must get more for them.
That is and has been true and it is
something for which he cannot be
blamed.
The new order may, perhaps, give
the merchant In towns Of less than
$500 an advantage over his fellow in
the larger center. That remains to
be seen. II 80. the condition win be
hard to adjust. But It may BE that
the man In the larger city will be
able to find some means Of MAIN
tanning the advantage which he man
ifestly enjoys now In many respects.