The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1949-07-21
A Time Of Change

Current industrial data indicate Enthusiastically that we
are in the period of dsnfaton Employment for the first
half of May non-agrcuural establishments remained the
same April whereas increase would have been normal
There was drop of 900 in manufacturing industries
centered in metals and textiles ron steel and machinery
down three per cent stone cay glass products paper
and chemicals dropped two cent lumber failed to make
it's spring rise furniture and rubber are normally down.
Due to uncertainties in the situation and possible further
declines prices, businessmen ordering less and shop
pers defeTTing purchases.
This shift from a sellers to a buyers market stlffens
competition The manufacturer made conscious OF
costs and output per man-o lie presses STANDARDS OF
efficiency seriously and eslsts new increases IN cost
AS prices begin to drop management reduces Inventories
Sales at slight price reductions are advertised IN order 10
escape bigger loss later.
Because everyone who can is waiting for change in
prices orders have declined Reduced orders have brought
avos and unemployment The April estimate of unempoy
ment is Ole O06somewhat lower than the 3167 900 for
March but much higher than the 100000 of year ago The
figure for civilian employment was 81 80OO00-smaer than
expected due to drop in agricultural employment
1t has growing steadily harder to find jobs as is
indicated by the fact of continued unemployment compen-
saton claims by large numbers of Jobless
Present indications do not point to serious continual
of the downward trend however There substantial
provisions against depresson-bank insurance unempoy-
ment compensation credit relaxation, ETC.
Much that beneficial will result if there are adjus-
ments to correct initiation and prices come to balance on
sound basis Our economy would then have to supply living
standards higher than before the and would be support
ed by high level of national income.
This is obviously the time to income taxes as far
as national responsibilities will permit Vital lnterna-
tona obligations which country must assume Will con-
tnue be costly There be economies however, within
our administrative machinery is overeaborate Labor has
been urging the repeal of the afarey Act the admin
straton of which costs twice much did that of the
Wagner Act.
We do suggest sweeping changes in the government
for they would be disturbing than helpful but we do
urge reasonable economies in the interests of all In this
period of dsnflaton, unions also have responsibility
Now is the time for unions to get from formulas
and other gadgets invented by wartime and other admins
traitors and the so-caed rounds invented by reporters in
order return to accepted practicenegoaton of
compensate workers for work done accord with
of their reflected in the companys
ducton records and income from sale of its products Col
ective bargaining determines what compensation should be
paid for services The barganers need records produc
ton sales and on the distribution of returns
The way to put morality into contracts between man
and labor is to make records the basis of collective
bargaining Wages must take into consideration the history
the company, prospects of the industry and the COM
pany capacity to pay.
In this period Of readjustment we should move with
caution but without weakness to insist adequate
pensatOn for wage-earnerS. In buyers market higher
costs longer be covered by price increases Buyers
resist too high prices and inferior quality and employers in
turn resist every addition to their costs However, employ
higher without increasing their costs be-
workers have increased their output manhour
Unions should seek rates of pay to compensate workers
for increased output Unions stronger than they
during the dsnfaton following the First World War and
should be determining factor in aiding the to
balance without lowering standards of living. Employ
should bargain good faith the basis of facts This
will facilitate the colreatve process necessary to equi
brium.