Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1946-08-30
Whats
New?
By
EdWdrd Duck
Representative
2-B
UAW.CIO

ldreu lnLelIectudl pdrdQeS MS
ignorance across the daily
editorial page and demands to
know just when and where
the unions intend to stop their
mad drive for the capitalists
shekels.
A pathetic picture is paint
ed, depicting organized labor
as a band of impetuous, un-
reasonable rascals plunging
the the nation headlong over
the precipice into the valley
of economic chaos, pulling the
sensible, stable businessmen,
economists and the rest of suf-
fering humanity along with
them. They, not the greedy
corporate giants, are said to be
responsible for initiation and
impending ruin of America.
The cart is conveniently and
deliberately placed before the
hoss. Wage increases have
caused price increases, and
when further raises are grant
ed the cost of living must
necessarily continue to mount.
That's their story.
FLAT THEORY
A m o m n is reasoning
knocks this theory flatter than
last Sundays mashed potatoes.
Studies have proven that liv-
ing costs scared during the
war while the Little Steel"
Formula compelled the indus
trial worker to put in an un-
godly number of hours in
order to keep pace and main
tain the purchasing power of
his take-home pay. The real
value of the dollar having
dropped, the worker was in a
quandary when overtime was
discontinued. Not that anyone
in full possession of his facul-
ties desires to work six or
seven day a week to meet ex-
penses; he just isn't able to
make ends meet when fifty
cents pays for a pound of
either bologna or weiners, or
jellybeans, for that matter,
that used to sell for fifteen
cents.
The wage increase followed
the runaway of prices. 1t was
an attempt to catch up with
the caboose; not to skyrocket
ahead.
After the first world war
prices went wild. Wages were
never raised in proportion.
The cardinal sin committed in
every postwar period is con-
sumner gouging, or maybe we
should call it an international
sport. Did the workers uncon-
trolled avarice bring about the
dire economic plight of mill
lions of Europeans after that
war? Or rather was it due to
the fact that they were at the
mercy of unscrupulous money
lords?
RIDICULE
Because the working people,
through their unions, attempt
to bridge a part of the gap be-
tween prices and purchasing
power they are ridiculed and
derided in the daily press,
their leaders depicted as
power-mad economic min
compoops. Should we succeed
in raising wages. they threaten
prices will simply have to be
raised to meet the increased
cost" Not a word is written
about the cuts in production
cost, brought about by tech
biological improvements and
inventions or by increased eff
ficiency of the worker and the
management. Not a single line
hints that corporate industry
is we'll able to pay the increase
out of its swelled war profits
and reap the golden harvest
from the increased output
caused by the huge market of
eager consumers with real
purchasing power.
1t is because we are living
in an artificial economy, con-
trolled by ruthless financiers
who hold not the slightest re-
gard for the common good,
that the American postwar
dream has not as yet material
lied. Worship OF their false
creed is demanded by their
spokesmen, by tongue and pen
and he who dissents is a
socialist and a dangerous
radical.
When and where should
we stop?
When wages are adequate
TO purchase the necessities of
life and a fair portion of the
.uxuries, we still may look
forward to shortening the
work day, obtaining a guaran-
.eed annual living wage, in
,reasing the social security
benefits, establishing a profit
plan, improving the
health and safety standards,
and accomplishing many gains
unrealized.