The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-01

tractors were not dlloNtu the utCtS-
sary cement bricks, lumber and
nails for building homes. World War
II. however. is an entirely different
war The building OF a hundred
thousand-dollar airplane does not
take much material. but rather la
Dor. skill and time. Ii is true that
We must enter a shipbuilding pro-
gram-both OF naval vessels and
merchant ships-but otherwise
there is nothing to interfere with
home building. |. therefore. forecast
that residence construction In l94l
will show an increase of nearly 20
per cent over 1910.
Presumably. II will cost little
more to build a home in 1871 than
It has in the last few years; but
there is a reasonable available sup
ply of building materials. Besides
masons. carpenters. plumbers, and
painters are primarily interested in
their years income rather than
their hourly wage. Therefore. II
they can be sure OF finding work
every day they should be content
with present wages. Another thing,
During World War |, there were no
such available funds as there are
today II was then impossible TO
borrow government money for the
building of homes. All the condi-
lions are entirely different now.
Hence Il disagree with those who
say that BODYBUILDING will be shut
off in l94l.
What About Congress?
1871 will witness a different Con
gress than has ever been seen be-
fore. This is very rash state
ment; but you wait until the year
is over. II will be neither a brave
| Congress nor a rubber-stamp Con-
gress. II will be a paralyzed Con
gress. 1t just will not know what to
do. or what not to do. except 10
spend money. Ii will want to help
Great Britain, and yet sees so much
havoc ahead for both Great Britain
and Europe that 1t will dread get
ting into the mess. Certainly Con-
gress will be in no mood to vote for
declaring war against Germany.
Japan, or any other nation. 1t will
be bewildered and afraid to fish,
cut bait. or go ashore
The new Congress is conserva-
tive body, although it is democratic
II not only breads war for its own
sake. but believes that If we enter
World War III. We really will end
up with a dictator This. moreover
is not merely third term" cam
paign talk There is latent dread
of this among the labor and farming
elements as we'll as businessmen
All groups are beginning to see that
special legislation-st starting with
protective tariffs fifty years ago
has led from one thing to another
until the cure is worse than the
disease. They wonder If the an.
swer may not be to wipe all cut and
start over again
Cost Of Living
Perhaps the most important fig
ures for readers to watch in 194l
are those on the cost of living Dur
ing World War |, the cost of living
Increased greatly; but the prices OF
farm products went up with the
prices of manufactured goods.
Since then, however, the prices of
farm products have fallen 60 per
cent. while the prices of manufac-
tured products dropped only 80 per
cent. Prices may increase slightly
more during 1871. but need not dc
so If no group kicks over the apple,
cart.
We are now asked to supply only
Great Britain with food and goods,
while during World War we had to
supply France. Italy, Russia, Japan
and other nations IN addition. The
airplanes, which England needs
most, do not take a large amount of
raw materials. This applies as well
TO many OF our other exports. al
though not TO the ships which Eng
land must build here. Concerning
food products. which England will
need in large quantities, we already
have an excess. Certainly there is
no fear of a shortage in 1871 OF
sugar. which in 1920 sold at %
cents a pound; or wheat. which in
1918 sold at s203 per bushel. Per-
haps most important of all is that
we have learned much about con
trolling prices.
What Aout Wages
In certain lines such as among
tool makers, shipbuilders, and plane
makers. there will be wage increas-
es In 1871. If by chance the number
of unemployed Is reduced from
100000 to a normal figure of A.
100000, then other wage increases
are inevitable. Generally speaking.
however. the cost of living should
be the answer to the wage ques-
ton. II the government acts sane
ly about taxes and If employers are
reasonable about profits, then inn
proved manufacturing processes
should keep down the average cost
OF living Certain materials such as
metals, for which there is a great
foreign demand. will increase in
price; but other items. like cotton.
the export of which has been severe
ly cut, should show little change in
price.
In short. if We will be reasonable
and keep down the cost OF living.
most wage workers will not ask for
more money. 1t is true that labor
leaders usually feel they must get
something for their union members
each year in order to hold their
jobs as labor leaders and collect
dues from members. In 1871, how.
ever, these leaders will have a good
excuse and fine abb for not doing
this. They can pass the buck TO
the government and to Mr.. Hitler.
am very serious about this. Let us
all. whether employers or wage
workers. act in 194ls as II We were
in the army. whether or not we have