The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1943-11-19
FACING
The
F FACTS
With PHILIP PEARL

have plugged the holes In the Inf1at10n
dixie at great sacrifice to themselves
and to the workers they represent.
For seven months these labor or
carnations have refused to give aid
or encouragement to demands for
higher wages beyond the limits of the
Little Steel" formula promulgated
by the War Labor Board. Labor mem
bers of the War Labor Board even
voted against such wage demands
They did this with full realization
Of the fact that the Little Steel for
mula had become outdated, that the
cost of living increases on which it
was based had risen to new heights
and that the Governments efforts to
roll back prices had failed.
Labor's policy was not entirely un-
selfish It's leaders realized that infia-
ton would hurt workers more than
anyone else. They were willing to
make sacrifices in order to hold the
line against further initiation.
appealed to their patriotism. He
pledged that the cost of living would
be rolled back to the level prevailing
on Sept. Is, 1912. He persuaded labor
that such a reduction of the cost of
living would be more in the interests
of the nation and of its workers than
approval of wage adjustments to
make up for higher prices.
Promises Unfulfilled
Labor's leaders had faith in the
Presidents promises. They had faith
in Congress which had adopted the
Economic Sterilization Act, providing
that wages and prices be stabilized at
the Sept. Is, 1912, levels.
The plan was to institute a two
billion-dollar subsidy program which
would facilitate greater output of food
and necessary civilian supplies, yet
permit prices to be rolled back. Labor
gave this plan its full support.
Now what has happened? First
Congress rebelled against the subsidy
program. 1t killed all subsidies and
later restorted partial, ineffective
subsidy plan only after a Presidential
veto. Again Congress is rebelling.
Even though the subsidy program has
been pared down by the Government
to the point where only maintenance
of present prices is contemplated and
rollbacks are out of the picture, Con-
gress won't go along.
The only conclusion labor can reach
is that its sacrifices were in vain.
The only course labor can take IS to
seek revision of the formula for ad-
justing wages.
This formula at present takes into
account only the Is per cent increase
in the cost of living which took place
between Jan. /, 1941, and May, 1912
However, in the eighteen months since
May, 1912, the cost of living has in
creased at least another Is per cent
That loss must now be made up to
the nations workers. Let it not be said
that they seek wage increases. They
do not. They ask only that the buying
power of the wage-dollar be main
tained. Unless it is, the nation will
suffer along with the workers through
reduced productivity
New Policy Needed
The need for sound Government
wage policy which will be fair and
lust to all the nations workers is
sharply illustrated by the Govern
ment's present haphazard and contra
dictory policies.
The War Labor Board for instance,
laid down a rule that it will not con-
slider a case while a union is on strike.
But the Secretary of the Interior, on
orders from the White House, did
negotiate with the United Mine Work
ers Union while its members were on
strike.
Economic Sterilization d ir +
Vinson vetoed a report of Presiden-
tial board which granted an Scent
hourly increase in pay to 100000
incorporating railroad employees. This
would have meant maximum pay in
crease of 1884 week.
At the same time, the Secretary of
the Interior negotiates, and the War
Labor Board approves, a pay increase
of approximately $40 week for the
coal miners.
These are paradoxes which the
workers of the country cannot under
stand. No one can.
Perhaps the special committee of
the War Labor Board appointed by
the President to make realistic de-
termination of the extent to which th'
cost of living has increased may be
able to point the way to a solution OF
+ba ,,rica wa Ua dilemma