Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-04-27

OUU pOuIluS, WuSdI, IOIIl S0,CCO OuSIA-
els to 1,873, 900 bushels; cotton seed
oil from 2,162 900 pounds to 12,948, 00(
pounds; hides and skins from 23,000,-
600 pounds to 81, 0O0, 900 pounds; vege.
table oils, edible, from 17,401 ,00(
pounds to 81, 485, 900 pounds.
Treat All Alike.
When the Wagner Labor Relations
act was passed back in 1885 we were
told that it would bring about the
millennium in relations between labor
and employer. In other words, il
was to be law to end all labor dis
putes. Unfortunately, it has not
worked out that way. From July
1885, when the law first went into
effect to March, 1888, there were 8,112
strikes, as against 8,172 strikes in the
preceding seven years, so it will be
seen it has fostered, rather than set
tied labor troubles.
The American Federation of Labor
has asked for drastic changes in the
Wagner act. AS the law now stands
an employer cannot call his employees
together and give his side to a con-
troversy. Indeed, he may not as
much as make reference to any diff
ferences that may exist. The c. I. O
wants the law to remain as is because
under its operation they have had all
the breaks. Congress should amend
the law so as to give both organiza-
tons an equal break. But, in my
opinion, this will not be done because
there are too many Senators and Con-
gressmen who are afraid to offend
one faction or the other. AS see il
the public has something at stake in
all labor disputes, whether they be
in the coal fields or in factory. Eng
land and Sweden are far ahead OF
us in handling labor problems. They
have laws that give both sides equal
ity.
Old Age Assistance.
The Ways and Means committee
has completed 10 weeks of hearings
on the subject of old age assistance
unemployment insurance and aid to
the physically handicapped.
The Social Security law as it now
stands has some very Objectionable
features. It levies payroll tax which
is an incentive to employers of labor
to keep their payrolls down to the
lowest possible point, thereby contri-
buting to unemployment. 1t also i'm
poses several other taxes that act as
a brake on recovery.
am for doing away with the taxes
now levied and report out bill that
will impose one general tax to cover
all needs. That would give assur-
ance to business, do away with the
endless bookkeeping and reporting
that is now necessary. 1t would also
obviate the necessity for creating a
huge reserve, every dollar of which is
taken out of active circulation, there
by decreasing the fluid currency by
just that much. I consider H. r. 2
much more sound and desirable than
the present arrangement and shall
vote to report it out of committee with
favorable recommendation. It has
several distinct advantages over the
present law and in addition would
stimulate business.
The Social Security law has contri-
buted very materially to the contin-
uance of the present depression. In
stead of stimulating employment and
business, as we were told it would do,
it has had the very opposite effect.
This the New Dealers now see and
that is the reason why they are pro-
posing numerous amendments. 1t
would take Philadelphia lawyer to
rewrite the present Social Security
act so as to make it satisfactory. In
my opinion it simply cannot be done.