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

/ that 1941 had $500 major strikes in
volving over 100000 workers This
is about double the average of the
preceding five years. Congress
should insist on secret ballot by
| workers before a strike can be
called.
Farm Prices Will BE Better
| estimate that if farm prices are
not controlled, the farmers in 1912
may receive an increase of 20 per
cent over 1941. This could increase
the national income 10 per cent and
raise farm consumer purchasing
power to nearly double what it was
few years previous. Cash farm in
come should reach about $I3,0O0,-
00,000-the highest since 1920
This figure compares with sll,000,-
100000 for 194l, and $4,000, 900, 900
for H40. During 1941 food prices
increased about II per cent, but
1912 should show distinct tapering
off of this upward curve. By sub
stitutions and the elimination of
waste, most people can absorb this
food price increase without either
further wage increases or a reduc-
ton in living standards.
High Living Standards
Readers who are squawking about
increased prices should remember
this fact:-Considering 1929 wages
and living costs at 100, the wage
index has gone up to LOG while the
retail cost of food has dropped to
80. Iii other words. the average
Americans has today left over for
non-food purchases 81 ,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, Notwithstanding our
war with the Axis powers.
/ Firmer Commodity Prices
1 Wholesale prices will average
during 1912 about 10 per cent over
the s1941 average But do not gel
excited! These prices are now about
10 per cent below the 1926 leve
which the u. S. Bureau of Labor
, Statistics considers normal" Those
who expect a less-than-l0 per cen
!, increase point to Cd the large
stocks Of food supplies, raw mate
, rails, and merchandise now on hand
, (2)- the heavy advance purchase.
which consumers made during 1874.
which could keep them going fol
] some time; 81 the high taxes o
: various kinds which 1912 is to wit
ness, together with the curtailmen
: of installment credit, and "a ;
: gradual increase Of unemployment
in the non-defense industries.
Those who expect greater-than
10 per cent increase point to CT
the steady decline in available non
| defense goods regarding defens
materials, the making of Whicl
! goods will be curtailed, ca the in
! creased purchasing power whicl
will come from the farm section
) even if wages in the war industrie
are no longer increased, (3)
shortage and speculative buying an
/, boarding which cannot be prevent
/ ed. Psychology and fear are NOR
/ potent than law; (4) the fact thu
. higher taxes and more bond sale
! will result in greater disburse
/ ments which must come back t
J increased purchasing and highe
! prices.
} | believe that these eight reason
: about balance one another and tha
: the net result will be an increas
. of not over 10 per cent, as abov
? indicated. This, however, does nc
!, necessarily require an equal ir
I crease in the cost of living for care
! full housewives.
6 Stocks To Go Up?
The stock market was a "selectiv