The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-01

the tax payers OF the nation land
this includes every reader OF this
column) realize that during 1871
they lost about 100000, man
days (or i've times the loss dur
ing l940) the American people will
wake up and stop this nonsense.
Statistics that 1871 had $500
major strikes involving over 2,200,-
600 workers. This is about double
the average OF the preceding Ave
years. Congress should insist on
secret ballot by workers before
strike can be called.
Farm Prices viii Be Better
estimate that If farm prices are
not controlled, the farmers in 1912
may receive an increase of 20 per
cent over 1871. This could incrt ase
the national income 10 per cent
and raise farm consumer purchas-
ing power to nearly double what it
was a few years previous. Cash
farm income in 1912 should reach
about Sl3,000,000,0 00-the highest
since 1920. This figure compares
with $1,000, 200, 900 for 1871, and
$4,000, 100000 for 1910. During 1871
food prices increased about ~ per
cent, but 1912 should show dis
tinct tapering off of this upward
curve. By substitutions and the
elimination of waste, most people
can absorb this food price increase
without either further wage in
creases or a reduction in living
standards,
High Living Standards
Readers who are squawking
about increased prices should re.
member this observation-disclosures
1929 wages and living costs at 100
the wage index has gone up to 10G
while the retail cost OF food has
dropped to 80. In other words, the
average American has today left
over Tor non-food purchases S1,045
compared with 1887 in the boom
year OF 1929. To put it another
way, all wage workers are at least
20 per cent better off today than
in 1929. What possible excuse IS
there for more strikes or even wage
increases? These high standards
will hold up during 1912, notwith'
standing our war with the Axis
powers.
Farmer Commodity Prices
Wholesale prices will average
during 1912 about 10 per cent over
the "194l average. But do not
get excited. These prices are now
about 10 per cent below the 1926
level which the L. S. Bureau of La
Dor Statistics considers normal
Those who expect less-than-te1
per cent increase point to "a the
large stocks of food supplies, raw
materials, and merchandise now
on hand; (2) the heavy advance
purchases which consumers made
during 1871 which could keep them
going for some time; (3) the high
taxes of various kinds which 1912
is to witness, together with the
curtailment of installment credit;
and ca a gradual increase of I'M
employment in the non-defense in
dustries.
Those who expect greater.than
ten per cent increase point to ()
the steady decline in available non
defense goods regarding defense
materials. the making OF which
goods will be curtailed; (2) the in
creased purchasing power which
will come from farm sections ever
if wages in war industries are nc
longer increased; (3) shortage
and speculative buying and hoard
ing which cannot be prevented
Psychology and fear are more po
tent than law; 90 the fact that
higher taxes and more bond sales
will result in greater disbursements
which must come back to increased
purchasing and higher prices,
| believe that these eight reasons
about balance one another and tina
the net result will be an increase d
not over ten per cent, as above
indicated. This, however, does moi
necessarily require an equal In
crease in the cost-of-living for care
full housewives.
Stocks to Go Up?
The stock market was "selec
tive market" during 1871 and will
probably continue to be such dur
ing 1912. While the market as d
whole was declining, certain stock: