The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-01-02

Even today with 100000 unem-
ployed. total pay rolls are higher
than at the peak of the past pc
Rod of prosperity, and much great
er than during the silk shirt area of
World War l. There are three rea-
sons for this. Cd The United States
has 20 100000 more people (2) The
working week has been reduced
from as to 40 hours. (3) Hourly
wages have increased in nearly ev-
ery line. Also, inventors and re-
search engineers are making our
dollar go further. Hence. when
turning his pay envelope into food,
clothing. and shelter, the man with
a Job is better off than ever be-
fore.
I do not believe any sensible la
Dor leader. wage worker, or en-
plovee is going to think of striking
during l94I. If the cost of living
goes up. then let wages be amic-
ably adjusted correspondingly. |
surely forecast no industry wide
strikes during l941. As to the Com
munistic elements, the vote on last
November S shows this is declin-
ing. Even the most radical know
what has happened already to labor
unions and their leaders in every
country but the United States.
believe labor will show apprecia-
ton for its blessings by being extra
fair during l941.
j FARM INCOME UNCERTAIN
! Ordinarily. farm income from
marketing and benefit payments in
/ l94l should exceed the 1910 figure
of around $4,000, 100000, but I can
not promise this. Weather is a very
unpredictable and important fac
tor. Exports will be so severely
cut and such large surplusses al
ready exist that | am not too OPP
timistic on farm prices. Yet, if the
cos1 of the things which the farmer
must buy is kept down, he shoulc
be at least as well off in l94l as
in 1910. Interest rates will be ir
his favor. and taxes should not hur'
| him. There will be no new CAD
gets, such as automobiles, refrig
orators, and radios, offered to hi.
! family during 194l which he mus
buy Furthermore, If Germany ant
Great Britain begin to use arsenit
next summer to kill each other
crops, u. S. farmers may save tn.
situation and really prosper. Con
sidering all things, | think the farm
ers' cash income in 1941 may ex
coed 1910 by $3.50, 100000, or about
per cent despite the reduced ex
ports of cotton, wheat, tobacco, AM
fruits.
All of this means that presen
. benefits to farmers will continu
. throughout l941 at around $500
100000 In addition to the exist
ing reasons for such benefits to con
tinue, there is the additional pres
sure of South American diplomacy
The people of South America hav
only wheat, cattle, and other agri
, cultural products to sell. We mus
|, help them sell them to keep thei
!, good will This, however, puts
real handicap on u. S. farmers.
, our farmers are to accept this bur
J den, it surely is up to the rest of u
i to help them carry it. Hence, farr
, benefits will be more logical in 1874
than ever before
FOREIGN TRADE OUTLOOK
Foreign trade will be very il
!. regular during l94l. II allowed
take its natural course, it will slow
. ~ but steadily decline Every no
and then, however, something give
it a shot in the arm. ANY hypt
!, dermic has a stimulating effect Il
awhile. The recent 100000
) loan to China and the talked-t
: loans to South America are illustr;
: tons. If we repeal the Johnsc
8 Act, allowing loans to Great Bri
ain, this will boost foreign trae
|, for awhile. While the SUNNI,
: months and even September, 1874
showed constant slumps, Octob,
. and succeeding months have show
r Improvement.