Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-01-23
They Planned II

Outlining a four point wage policy
last week the United Automobile Work
ers-CIO has committed itself to pro-
gram. which, as the unions executive
hoard points out, cannot succeed in ac-
complishing what it is expected to accom-
pIish without the cooperation of both
government and industry.
Twice before, in 1916, and again in
1947. wage increases of 1872 and 1l12
cents an hour were granted. In each in
stance. the increases were wiped out al
most before the wage pattern was estab-
lished on national scale by ascending
prices and the highest profits in our In
dustrial history.
This inflatiOnary process, which has
played havoc with the nations economy
and caused wide disparity between what
the workers receive in wages and what IL
costs them to live, was not brought about
nv chance. Both the industrialists and
their servants in Washington, the Con-
gress of the United States, dominated by
reactionaries and Republicans planned 1t
that way. 1t was not automatic capitalism
reacting to economic laws.
Yes, they planned it that way They
planned to knock out price controls after
the meat trust had demonstrated the pow
er of monopoly by Withholding meat from
the tables Of millions of Americans.
They planned il that way, with SEN
ator Robert A. Taft leading the attack
which led TO the destruction of controls
by promising the people OF the country
that although prices might be high at the
outset that they would surely come down
. as production increased
They planned it that way by collu-
sion among the mOnOpOlists to hold down
production and bring about planned scar
city. Does anyone believe that this nation,
which has the highest production potential
of any country under the sun, need SUI
fer from steel and other shortages unless
production is controlled by those who plan
for scarcity rather than plenty?
They planned il that way and they
succeeded. The industrialists, while re-
-jecting all pleas for expansion, cried
out about material shortages. Through
their paid propagandists they sought, and
to remarkable degree succeeded in max
ing il appear that the lack of production
was due to the unions, refusal of the
workers to do an honest days work and
dozens of other reasons all unfavOrable to
labor.
And while industry sought TO turn
away the attention of the public by blam-
ing the economic woes of the nation upon
labor, they continued to raise prices on
the plea that unit costs could not be cut
because of lack of productivity, materi-
al shortages and other excuses. Initiation
went merrily on and so did a reactiOnary
Congress which remained utterly indif-
ferent to the needs of the people.
Today, as we stand upon the threshold
of another wage increase, all of us can be
certain that unless both government and
industry accept their responsibility TO the
people of this nation, as well as TO the
community of nations, that we cannot and
will not escape the tragic results which
are not only in the making, but which
have already progressed to the point
where il is doubtful if we can prevent the
crisis from soon occurring without heroic
measures being taken.
If, instead of more wage increases, we
could roll back prices and wages to June
1946, we might stand chance of prevent
ing the economic catastrophe for which
we are heading. This is, of course, purely
theory, for there would still remain a
problem of equal weight in the shape of a
Republican Congress which even today
continues TO demonstrate its ignorance
and indifference TO economic facts.
There seems to be no doubt about a
future depression at the rate of speed at
which we are now moving, the only ques-
tion is when it will occur. And when il
comes, and it will come it will be because
both Congress and industry planned il
that way.
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