The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-01-14
Continued from Last Week)
FURTHER RATIONING


1943 will see more changes in
civilian life than any year since
the Revolutionary War. Wise
are those who are first to prepare
for these changes. When one
studies the tremendous purchases
which the Government is making,
they make one shudder. For in
stance, the army recently pur-
chased 80 million pounds of salt,
4 million pounds of mustard and
2 million pounds of black pepper,
simply to fill a few months re-
quirements. Dried fruits are
bound to be short in 1943, es-
pecially prunes and dried april
cots; while the kibosh will still
be on stoves, bicycles, typewrit-
ers, hardware and rubber goods
should not be surprised to see
the rationing of dairy products
certain furniture, paper supplies
manufactured foods, farm equip
ment and possibly clothing and
shoes during 1913. Some of my
associates think there will be ra-
tioning of meats, eggs and cheese,
but present statistics do not in
dictate the necessity for this.
Certainly there will be no ra-
tioning of cereals, citrus products
and fresh fruits that cannot be
shipped.
What is most needed is the ra-
tioning of labor union leaders
and a frightening of the work
ing week as the labor week now
averages only 42.5 hours even af-
ter overtime payments. Of
course, this is a hot potato that
the Administration does not like
to touch. 1 forecast, however,
that 1943 will see a real step in
this direction. The power of the
War Labor Board will either be
curbed or the Board will become
much more conservative. Man
power (including women) will be
allocated. Private recruiting Of
labor may be curtailed. Farm
ers, manufacturers and other en-
ployers may be obligated to go
to the U. S. Employment Service
when desiring additional help
while employees may be subject
to the same regulations when de-
string to change jobs.
POLITICAL SITUATION
Certainly we are entering 1943
with a much better political sit
uation than existed a year ago.
This does not mean that the new
Congressman are conservative
some are more radical in certain
ways than their predecessors
but they will combine with the
conservative Southern Democrats
on questions of taxation and war
matters. Looking back over 1912,
it becomes evident that the tax
situation was the most upsetting
feature on business and invest
ments. The markets were at
their worst directly after the
Morgenthau RECOMMENDATION Of
a $50 normal tax. When the
House voted a 1870 tax business
began to pick up and even secur-
ity prices had a real move when
the Senate dropped the rate to
409c.
Recent visits to Washington
convince me that the Treasury
has temporarily lost its influence
with Congress and that the 1943
tax bill will be written by Con-
gress itself and will be fairly
conservative. I am much inter-
ested in reports that Honorable
James Byrne, the new Economic
Dictator, is to be put in charge.
For the first time, it is reasonable
to hope that sales tax - per-
haps under some other name
will be enacted in 1943. The
farmers will continue to have as
much influence in the 1943 Con-
gress as heretofore, but the hon.
eymoon of the labor and other
blocs is temporarily at an end.
1913 will see very few wage rails
es and certain labor leaders will
be put in the dog-house.
MONEY RATES
There may be a slight increase
in short-term money rates dur
ing 1913; but there will be little
or no change in the rates that
banks charge their customers.
Money rates are now managed by
the Government even more close
ly than the prices of commodi-
ties. The idea, however, that
money rates will ALWAYS con-
tinue low is just as foolish as
were the forecasts of ten years
ago that money would perman-
emily remain on a high basis.
The pendulum has always swung
and it will continue to swing af-
ter World War II is over. Wheth-
er or not banks should borrow
Ra 4Lo ToInro1 Pacorxyo IN ar