The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-07-02
Economic l.. i.
eMshAeAA
National and International Problems
Inseparable from Local Welfare

We are at last beginning to feel the
colossal changes war has forced on the
economic and social life of the nation
And, in the next six months or so
,changes in far greater degree than
|anything we have yet experienced will
inevitably take place.
1t should be clear to everyone by now
THAT the American standard of living
which has been Infinitely luxurious by
rest of the world, will be largely
abandoned for the duration. This year
Jour national income will be the largest
in our history. But the amount of
money which the people will have to
|spend for goods and services will be
down to the lowest depression Levels
land perhaps lower. There are three
principal reasons for that. First, and
most important, is the tax burden,
which will be felt in the lowest in
|come groups, and will reach staggering
proportions in the middle and high in
come groups. Second, War Bond pur-
|chases, whether voluntary or enforced,
will take substantial part of every
ones remaining income, Third, the
price level is far above that of 1882
land 1888.
For the most part, we have not yet
felt any particular lack of luxury
goods" While manufacture of such
goods was stopped some time ago in
most lines, stocks on hand have kept
store inventories adequate. Soon it will
be impossible to buy refrigerator, an
automatic heating plant, radio, an
office machine, and ten thousand and
one other items, unless you have a first
class priority rating, and the item is
needed for a purpose directly connected
with the war. Rationing of public
transportation services may make plea
sure travel impossible. And it is gener-
ally expected that a card-rationing
system, similar to that now in effect
for sugar, will be extended to other
foods, to clothes and to many addi-
llOIldl HeceSSltleS.
Whole professions are being virtu-
ally wiped out. For example, there is
the plight of the salesman. There is no
need for his services if his industry is
engaged in war work. If his industry
is not in war work, it's production is
swiftly declining and he has less and
less to sell. These people are being alb
sorbed by war industry, for the most
part. After the war they will face an
other difficult problem of readjustment.
Whole industries are in the same
position. The mortality, for instance
in the businesses which have been built
up about the acknowledgements sta
tions, repair shops, roadside restau-
rants, resorts, etc.--iS great, and before
long it will be tremendous. All their
and employees can do is to
no place for their businesses in the
war picture.
The face of American communities
of all sizes is changing swiftly. Gigan-
tic war plants are being developed in
sections where there was little industry
before. In many defense areas, pOpula-
tion growth unprecedented in its
rapidity-has created an exceedingly
problem. These problems have not yet
been adequately solved, and they will
grow worse. They constitute Il ajor
headache to governmental authorities.
The population trend from country
to city is intense. Agricultural workers,
attracted by the big wages paid by
war industry are literally leaving the
farms in droveS. The farnlt operator
can't get enough labor, and, even when
he can, he must offer wages that IN
many cases are beyond his ability to
pay. This has offset good part of the
benefits of increased farm income.
The foregoing simply illustrates a
few OF the almost revolutionary changes
that are occurring in this country. And
they Illustrate, hy inference, what our
post problems will be. Authorities
in both business and government seem
convinced that none of the problems
are insouble. They know that there
will be many mistakes, many errors in
Judgment. But they believe that after
the war, this nations incredible in
duStrial plant will be to provide jobs
for all employabeS, and will in time
bring The general standard of living
to "A level well beyond anything we
have known. 1t is Il healthy sign that.
even aS we grapple with the immense
problems of war, we are also think
ing ahead to the peace to come.
K 4 4
Some high government officials, such
rs Nice-PreSidcnc Wallace and Under
secretary of State WelleS, have made
speeches of late, which cast
ii light on this nations world destiny.