Milford chronicle., 1961-03-24
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YOUR DUTY AS A CITIZEN

YOUR DUTY As A CITIZEN
The editor feels it appropriate in these
controversial times, to point out to readers
that they have certain obligations as citi-
zens of the most powerful country in the
world, which must be met if the electorate
Is TO be able to act intellgently One of the
first duties of every citizen is that he make
an honest effort to be informed on the is
sues of the day.
Too often in this community, as in other
communities, business men and others in
terested in maternal pursuits spend little
time trying to acquaint themselves with the
true facts involved in the issues of the day.
Every citizen should devote some time each
day to an honest search for the accurate
news. That news is not necessarily found in
editorials. editorial columns, or in the words
of commentators. From these sources, one
gets opinions, although, quite often, news
as well.
One should take advantage of these
sources of opinion to become acquainted
with the various viewpoints, but each citi-
zen should form his own opinion concerning
the issues of his time.
Therefore, every citizen of this COM
munity should make the effort to read some
good books regularly, read the news columns
of the newspaper, and, occasionally, glance
at an atlas or some map which would ac-
the world. Our community will benefit as a
result of these efforts by its citizens.
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THE REASON WHY
A good many people no doubt wonder
why there should be any particular oppo-
sition to the proposal that the federal wage
hour law, popularly known as the minimum
wage law, should be extended to retailing,
which has been exempt ever since the law
came into being in depression days.
The American Retail Federation has pro-
vided a clear answer. The opposition is bas-
ed on the fact that retailing employs a far
greater percentage of temporary and part
time employees than any other major indus
try in the United States and so is in a very
special position.
These employees, it should be emphasiz-
ed. are rarely the family bread winners
They work at Christmas time and during
vacations. Some put in few hours during
week-ends when trade is heaviest. Gener-
ally, the temporary or part-time workers
are unskilled, and large majority is made
UP of students, retired workers, older women
and numbers of housewives who put in some
hours to supplement the family income.
These workers are of limited value to
the store which employs them. 1t is equally
clear that an arbitrary federal law, applying
equally to great cities and little towns which
would establish wage and other standards
not balanced by these workers productive
value, could have only one result-maximum
possible reduction in marginal employment.
This is one of the compelling reasons that
led the last Congress to shelve the proposal
to make federal wage-hour coverage almost
universal
IT'S NOT A NAUGHTY WORD
We're in favor of putting the word prof
it-and what it stands for-back in circula-
tion. How about joining the crusade?
1t is strange and sad fact that the
word profit" has been frozen out of our
daily language Even business men detour
around the word. It's like the power player
VINO hits SO pot-and admits he's holding
his own. It's become fashionable to minim-
iZe profit.
We got to thinking about this in rela-
tion to the Big Push to expand the economy.
Then we read blast from prominent un-
ion labor leader: 1--WE are in trouble because
big business is taking dsproportionately
large share of the fruits of our developing
economy.
Bushwah Since 1947, the Gross Nation
al Product has increased from 234 to 500
billion dollars (more than doube). Yet, dur
ing the same time profits before taxes in-
creased by just about 509o-and after taxes
by little more than 259O
In the past six months corporate profits
added up to about $22 billion annually -
while compensation of employees was 1896
billion year. What happens to the $22 bill
lion? About half of it goes out in dividends.
The other half goes back into industry-for
new plants, new equipment, new products.
More jobs? You bet we want them. Ex-
panding economy? Sounds ideal. But re-
member-they both go hand in hand with
bigger and better corporate profits.
Let's bring back that word. 1t will profit
us all.