Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-10-29
Wage Boosts
Called Spur
To Initiation
Figures Given to Refute
New Dealers Denial
BY PAUL MALLON


publicity agent for what seems
to be solidifying administra-
ton firmness against doing any
thing TO stop wage increases
which are initiating prices. To
try to hold down wages might
violate the Thirteenth Amend
ment tthe one prohibiting slav-
ery). she says.
The First Lady is apparently
depending on some bad statistics
accumulated by Mr.. Roosevelt's
statistician. Mr.. Isador Lubin.
With gross astigmatism,
Mr.. Lubin considers wages" TO
be only those paid by manufac-
turing concerns. thus leaving
out the bulk of the workers of
the country, including himself.
He deduces that wages in fac
tories are only 40 per cent of
industrial production costs. He
finds wages in the manufacture
ing industries have increased
only II per cent. VOLTA - Mr..
Lubin concludes mere 7 per
cent Gao per cent of 10 of the
price increase is due 10 wage
increases.
TI1E true facts can be proved.
Il Gross national income last
year amounted to $50, 100000
900 of which $4S, 000, 10000 was
paid out in wages and salaries.
That means at least So per cent
OF production mot 40 per cent?
is known TO have gone into
wages.
The Department of Commerce
says total salaries and wages
mot just those in the manufac-
turing industry have increased
30 per cent since before the war.
Voila--if you consider the whole
picture, 20 per cent $50 per cent
of 80 Of the price increase is
due 10 wage increases.
MRS. ROOSEyELTS argu-
WI ment is as bad as Mr.
Lubin's basic data. While she
fears fixed price ceiling would
put the union worker in slavery.
she fails TO muster a note of
fear that business can exist if
wage-costs are TO increase in
definitely while prices are TO be
limited.
A wage scale rising against a
fixed price ceiling could crush
every business in the country
into bankruptcy at a time when
the free capitalistic system and
free labor is what we are sup
posed TO be fighting for.
Certainly Mrs. Roosevelt men
toned the wrong amendment.
The fourteenth prevents seizure
of property without due process
of law and that is what is being
done when the government tells
business:
I'VE are going to let wages
continue to rise, but we are
going to stop prices with our
Forthcoming legislation
WITH this kind of a policy
w carried 10 the fullest. the
workers OF the country might
eventually find themselves work
ing for the government instead
OF private enterprise. That pros
pect cannot be tantaliZing
Mrs. Roosevelt and the ad-
ministration have not practiced
in their own business of govern
ment what they preach for priv
ate enterprise.
Wages of government workers
have not been increased.
NOBODY is rapping Donald
~ Nelson's knuck les these
days. Some officials who tried
it received life size view of
knuckles in action.
1t may now be related that
m m d lately after Nelson's
SPAB defense regime was set
up, House Coordination Palmer
got some one 10 slip letter on
Mr. Roosevelt'S desk giving him
authority TO handle priorities on
all defense MISUNDERSTANDING
Federal Works Authority Gar
mody), Federal Housing Admin
istration. etc.
Nelson heard about this and
Immediately let Vice President
Wallace and Harry Hopkins
know that he was not going 10
submit to this typical Washing
ton defense game. Wing clip
ping has been a common prac-
tice which has hampered the
activities of all the other defense
leaders in one way or another.
When word of the situation |
got back to Mr.. Roosevelt. he
said he did not recall signing
such a letter 10 Palmer and
would reScind it, which he did.
NELSON also may get a con-
~ gresSional medal for brav-
cry in successfully rebuffng the
most famed New Deal wing
clipper, Mr.. 1ckes Whose own
elbows seem TO be in pretty bad !
shape right now. Ickes tried
10 control all oil policies as CO.
ordinator but soon found out
Nelson would not relinquish his
final say on prioritieS and allo-
cations.
Ickes had no real authority 10 |
do anything. He bulled his way
through the policy by forcing |
voluntary cooperation. Nelson. |
l..