FAITH

High wage is the herald of high price. If an employer should suddenly put price down, it would be very difficult to reduce wage. But he cannot reduce price--he keeps it high to protect himself against increased cost of materials and sudden labor demands.

Who is at fault for the high living cost? Wage earners are blaming the employers and capitalists, and the employers and capitalists are blaming the wage earners. Each accuses the other of profiteering. How can the profiteer be hunted out? He has thrived in spite of the excess profit tax. A maximum profit law would involve no end of red tape. Bringing to account those profiteers which are on the surface would be like applying a temporary remedy to vermin instead of getting at the cause of vermin. What encourages profiteering?--disorder, uncertainty, distrust.

The industrial conference at Washington comes none too soon. It sees labor, Capital, and the Public gathered together to solve ourdemoralizing problem. The public's representation is highly significant. It is given a chance for protection against further absurd Capital and Labor relationships. Reduction in wage and price is out of the question. But an increase must not be. This is what the public must demand. At most there can only be a gradual adjustment to the present scale of wage and price. Retracing steps to the former standard of living would provoke a greater strain on society than adjustment to the present. Some agreement should be reached to remedy this discord in our national harmony Needed, a thorough establishment of faith.