Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1946-08-30
Political
Action
by
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman
of the

OLIEICQL ACLLOl AOTNnlICLSe
The wealthy interests in this
country have many spokes-
men. These apologists for mo-
nopolistic practices operate in
many fields. They hold pub
lie office, write articles in
newspapers and "analyze" the
news.
One of the most common
mistakes that supposedly un-
biased commentators make is
to underestimate the CIO.
They assert by implication
that our program is formu-
lated by shop workers who
have no knowledge of eco
nomics.
These analysts" of the labor
situation very patronizingly
suggest that the CIO learn
the fundamentals of econom-
les, such as the ''immutable
law of supply and demand"
the claw of diminishing re-
turns" etc.
For the benefit of those who
may have accepted these gross
misrepresentation of facts, as
truth, I wish to point out that
the educational and research
departments of the CIO need
not take second place to any
organization.
The leadership of CIO came
up from the ranks and there
fore have first-hand knowl-
edge of, and experience with
workers problems. In addi-
ton, however, they are well
read and we'll informed on the
fundamentals of social science.
CIO writer's are familiar
with the writings of the econ
omists from Adam Smith to
the Technocrats. They are
also familiar with the leading
schools of thought in econom-
les, which range from rugged
individualism to collectivist
society. In fact, it is the
would-be authorities on eco
nomic principles who lack a
sound approach to economic
problems.
ABOUT MALLON
Paul Mallon, who writes
News Behind The News" in
the Toledo Times, made some
foolish assertions in his col
umn on Saturday, Aug. II. l
wish to point the fallacies in
his criticism of the CIO pro-
gram and let the readers de-
eide whether it is the CIO or
Paul Mallon who is superb
cial and lacking insight into
the way our economic system
operates.
Said Mallon: "Some of the
CIO leaders have thought the
way out is to start the thing
all over again with more
strikes for another wage in
crease, which will help force
another price increase-a pro-
cess which would surely be
ruinous because it would
spread economic waste as if
by a Whirlwind."
AS a matter of fact, the
CIO is we'll aware that prices
are already too high. If Mr..
Mallon reads our publications
he would know how we feel
about prices. We of CIO also
recognize that profits are I'M
reasonably high. We contend
that wages should be high
enough 10 enable the produ-
GERS, that is. the workers, to
buy back what they produce.
This means wage increases
without price increases, made
possible by decreasing the ex-
orbitant profits which the in
dustrialists are now raking in.
SLIDING SCALE
The answer is, of course, a
sliding scale of wages, based
on the cost of living. The re-
cent struggle of the CIO for
the 1872 cents an hour in
crease only helped to make up
for the loss in take-home pay,
brought about by the cessation
of overtime pay occasioned by
the end of the war. The war
wages were adequate only be-
cause there was plenty of
overtime.
For the ben fit of the
learned" commentators who
ask, How can we expect wage
increases without price in
The answer is RE-
DUCED PROFITS. l also wish
to point out that prices always
rise first.
Just to clear the matter up,
our program can be stated
very simply. 1t is "Short
enough hours that Everyone
can haze job at hig enough
lDdgeS that Everyone can hve
decentIy." If the commenta-
tors care TO attack this pro-