The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-09

coal production will be 50 million tons short of demand. Ana Lewis asks the government to con- duct A strike vote of his union | in compliance with the Smith-Con- nally "no-strike' law.
 War Labor Beard authorizes in- crease in minimum wages Tor Tour million workers to 55 cents an hour ($22 for 40-hour week, $28,6O for 4S-hour week. . as VILE Chairman Davis says this isn't enough to maintain a decent stand ard of living.
 Price Administrator Chester Bowles warns Congress of imitation, pointing out that profits of the clothing manufacturers have risen 900 per cent from 24 million dolcrs a year average in the l936-0 period to 240 million dollars in 1943 while the garment industry heads in New York protest that new OPA clothing price regulations are 'confiScatory."
 PARADOXES,
 CONTRADICTIONS
 Bowles further announces that anticipated reductions in clothing prices will help stabilize the cost of living yet labor union repre- sentatives arc threatening to with draw from all participation in War Labor Board proceedings because they cant get wage increases be- yond the Little Steel formula, to attain stabillzation.
 If the Little Steel formula is to be held In the interests of stabili2a- ton, the United Mine Workers can't have pay increase in their new contract but If the increases are granted as fringe demands" not involving change in basic rates of pay, that will be all right . even if 1t means an increase in the price of coal.
 U. s. productio of ships, arms and munitions has exceeded all goals yet the demand con" tinues to increase.
 The House of Representatives passes with little opposition a Na- tional Service bill to provide the manpower necessary for the in- creased war production but the Senate refuses to have any part of such drastic legislation.
 Army and Navy need 100000 men and have sent 50,000 back to civilian life to aid in war produc- tion.
 The shortage of rubber with which to make tires has been converted into a shortage of fac tories in which to make the tires, over score of new plants having just been contracted for and order cd built.
 A revolutionary new jet plane is announced just as the country gets into full production on old type airplanes and engines and that means another new pro duction program.
 SURPLUS" PLANTS SOLD
 Tn other words, all the factories to build all the equipment necessary to win the war won't be in proauc- tion for some months and the Defense Plant Corporation an- nounceS that up to January 3l 1t had sold 444 million dollars worth Of surplus war plants and mach inery.
 More food has been produced with less labor than was ever be- fore possible. War agency food buy CTS have stepped up their demands Tor this years crop . and are selling some of the surpluses from previous years.
 Food is rationed to prevent short- ages and millions of people are eating more food than they ever consumed or could afford before.
 War production has cut deeply into production of civilian goods .. yet stores sold more goods and made mere money last year than ever before.
 Profits are greater, wage pay ments are higher. taxes are bigger and the national debt Is posi- lively colossal.
 What is this, any way? None of 1t makes sense. Trying to figure 1t out is enough to send you of into the night, screaming.