The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-01-01

same items, brands, and grades in
order to have them useful for COM
parative statistical purposes. AS a
practical matter, however, FAM
lily can switch its purchases from
sirloin steak to top-of-the- round
without any increase in the cost
of-living. The same family can cut
down on desserts and save money
on both food and dental bills!
Hence, there need be no increase in
the cost-of-living for well-managed
families during 1912 This is espe-
cially true as Is per cent now goes
into the garbage pail or is wasted
in other ways.
Will Wages Be Frozen?
Some engaged in the defense in
dustries may get wage increases
during 1912; but not more than
enough to offset the rise in the gov
ernment's cost-of-living induces.
Certain concerns engaged in the
non-defense industries will be
obliged to pay key people little
more to hold them. The great ma
jority of workers in the monde
Tense industries will get no in
creases in 1912, while some will get
their wages reduced. The year 1941
saw the peak of strikes and wage
increases. The Canadian labor pol
icy may be adopted by our Con-
gress. The law of supply and de-
mand is still working Cost-of-liv-
ing in the defense areas may have
already seen its peak. The new
workers who are flowing into these
areas may SO flood the market as
to prevent further wage raises. Be-
sides, I'm in hope the government
will issue a supplementary table of
living costs after providing for
switches in purchasing and waste
eliminations.
What Will Congress Do?
My forecast a year. ago as to
what Congress would do In 194l
was 100 per cent correct Now, !
am even surer of my ground. When
Congress declared war it performed
! its. most important single act until
peace comes. From here out it will
become of necessity somewhat of a
rubber stamp. War emergency pow
ers of the President will require
/ but little action on the part OF
| Congress. Remember that there are
important Congressional Elections
on November 3, 1912 incidentally
the results of these elections will be
very interesting to watch. They will
give us good clue as to Republi-
can chances in 1914 but this is
something for me to discuss a year
from now. There is another posi-
bility, namely the enacting of la
Dor control legislation such as Can
ada has adopted.
Price Control and Rationing
| II price control legislation is en-
acted in 1912, it will not be very
successful Price control, Withou1
rationing, is usually failure. o.
course, the entire set-up appear.
cock-eyed to me. For instance, thu
purpose of price control is to pre-
vent initiation and to discourage tn,
purchase of non -essentials. But
does keeping prices down discour
age purchasing? MOI The way t
discourage purchasing is to lie
prices rise. But, you ask: How abou
the prices of essentials such a
food? Well, strange to say, tn,
prices of farm products are no
being controlled! Even wages ar
omitted because we cannot fore
people to work" and yet wages ar
A the most important factor in set
ting prices. Bernard Baruch is cor
rect when demanding the freeing
of everything on a given day.
commodities, farm products, wages
rents, interest, and profits. Fine
But how can such law be en-
forced? Remember the boot-legginl
during prohibition days and appl.
this to 100000 articles, the ansWe
is in having price control apply to
: few essentials and then ration thes
essentials
Social Security Legislation
J There will be new. tax bill il
1912. 1t will somewhat increase cor
, poration and personal income taxes
J but not seriously. Let me again re
mind readers that all the Congress
men and one-third of the Senator
J will be up for reelection on No
! vember 3, 1922 There will be
} serious attempt by the anti-infla
ton group to further tax luxurie
and unnecessary men-defense prod
, ucts as the easiest way to rails
) money.
!. Social Security taxes on wage
! will be another easy way to &c
, funds. They are really sales ia
) of the most vicious kind, but tn
, name and promises which 60 wit
: them make them very difficult fc
: Congressman to oppose. Social q
:. curityn is a poisonous pill sugar
!, coated. The United States can ca:
lily commit suicide by taking to
!, :, much Social Security" poison, {
! course, one fair way to collect MOI
! money would be for Congress to pl
! an excess profits tax on wages ider
! tical with the present excess tax G
profits. This would both raise a
! the needed funds and put an en-
! to the labor racket for the duratic
! of the war.
{ Rents and Strikes
G Rents will not decline durir
1912: but whether to make long
Il Ill