Editorial CHARLOTTE LABOR JOURNAL & DIXIE FARM NEWS Published Weekly at Charlotte, N. C._ H. A. Stalls, Editor andPublisher W. M. Witter, Associate Editor Entered as second-class mail matter September 11, 1981, at the Post Office at Charlotte, N. C., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $2.00 per year, payable in advance or 6c per copy. I ADVERTISING RATES for commercial advertising reasonable. Official"Organ of the Charlotte Central Labor Union and Approved by The American Federation of Labor and the North Carolina Federation of Labor Address AH Communications to Post Office Box 1061 Telephones 3-3094 and 4-5602 Office of Publication: 118 East Sixth Street, Charlotte, N. C. The Labor Journal will not be responsible for opinions of corre «r>on<'< r s. hut any erroneous "reflecting upon the character, standing oi reputation of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the columns of The Labor Journal will lie gladly corrected when called tn the attention of tne publisher. Correspondence and Open Forum opinions solicited. JOINT ACTION BY LABOR AND BUSINESS NECES SARY TO STABILIZE PRICES The AFL has declared that the problem of stabilizing prices of industrial products is one for joint action of management and labor; neither can do it alone. This was the conclusion of an article appearing in "l-a .bor’s Monthly Survey,” an AFL publication, calling for the exercise of good statesmanship on the part of labor and management in prompt and vigorous attempts “to stop the price spiral before it goes too far.” Substantial increases in workers’ living costs, with no , decline in sight* will force unions to seek additional wage increases, the article said. Whether an upward spiral of, prices will be touched off by such action depends upon the ( attitude and statesmanship of both labor and management, the report declared. , Asserting that prices in most cases “have been raised more than enough to offset wage increases, as is shown 1 by the high and rising level of profits,” the article reit erated AFL policy calling for wage increases within ex isting price levels. “The American Federation of Labor has repeatedly urged the policy of Wage increases without raising prices as the only way real progress can be made. That policy is more important than ever today as we face the dire consequences of a new inflationary spiral. Such a policy however can only succeed if management comes halfway, submitting facts and figures acceptable to both parties to show the wage increase possible without raising prices, and sitting own in good faith with labor to work out ways and means of raising wages within present prices. “We have repeatedly pointed out that wage increases account for only a small part of the price rises of 1946 and 1947. Information to show what part of a price'rise is due to wages is not generally available; therefore the pub lic is often misled by statements attributing price rises entirely to wages. Interesting figures were recently pub lished on the steel price increases, and since this has caused hundreds of other price increases in products made from steel it is worth noting. t "In July, 1947, major steel companies raised their prices $5 per ton for finished steel. Wages of steel workers had risen in the spring, and prices of coal and scrap iron were higher. Figures of U. S. Steel show the following: The company’s shipments rose from 15,182,000 tons in 1946 to (prohable) 20,232,000 tons in 1947. Because of this in crease the cost of wages and salaries per ton dropped sub stantially; in 1946 wage cost was $46.30 per ton, in the second half of 1947 (after the wage increase) only $43.20 per ton. So actually the wage cost per ton after the wage increase was $3.19 lower than it had been the year before (1946).- Operating profit per ton was $19.00 after the wage and price increases, compared to $13.41 per ton in 1946. “When federal taxes and the higher depreciation costs are accounted for, profit per ton is estimated to be $2.10 more in the second half of 1947 (after wage and price increase) than it was in 1946, and the company’s net prof it per share of common stock is estimated at an annual rate of $12.28 in the second half of 1947 compared to $7.29 in 1946. These figures show conclusively that a sub stantial part of the price increase served to raise profits, and also that part of it was necessary to cover higher depreciation charges. The higher cost of wages was offset by the higher rate of operations. “In citing these figures the American Federation of Labor is in no sense attacking profits. We recognize that the business man’s chance to make profits is a powerful incentive to industrial progress, and that such progress, when balanced by strong union organization and collective bargaining, is the basis for higher living standards. It should be clear to all however that the wage and profit increases which cause a steady rise in prices and living costs are self-defeating. “The problem of stabilizing prices of industrial products is one for joint action of management and labor; neither can solve it alone. Nothing is gained by blaming labor for price increases while profits soar to new all-time peaks. Much can be lost by failure to face the problem squarely and stop the price spiral before it goes tot) far.” I You Of Your Frmly tfd/A/'eed Your Soc/al Security Curd to App/y for SodOYSecarj tip dene fits 'OR MORE /X } //C * informat/qn UOnAUZis Your Union Social Security Committee, Ofc tlie Nearest Sodal Security Office. CJif NAT SCHAtHHER DM ID BIRD ‘tFw! COHVM MKTW6 ” SOT A BT» notice that an action as en titled above has been commenced in the Superior Court of Mecklen burg Countv. North Carolina, by the plaintiff to obtain an absolute divorce upon the grounds of two years separation; and the defen dant .will further take notice that he is required to appear at the office of the Clerk of the Supe rior Court of Mecklenburg County at the Court House in Charlotte. North Carolina within twenty <20) days after the 20th day of Novem ber, 1947, and answer or demur to the complaint in the said action, or the plaintiff will apply1 to the Court for the relief demanded in the said complaint. This the 23rd dav of October, 1947. J. LESTER WOLFE. Clerk of Superior Court. (10-21, 30; 11-6, 13-c) New and Reconditioned PIANOS For the beat value in NEW or reconditioned pianos, select your# from our stock of nearly ! 100 instruments. Setinway, Mathushek, Winter, Howard, and many others, Prices to suit everyone. ANDREWS MUSIC CO. "Our 33th Year" "Steinway Headquarters" 231 North Tryoo Street ■State of North Carolina, County of Mecklenburg. IN THE SUPERIOR COURT Bertha B. Howell, Plaintiff, vs. Earl Palmer Howell, Defendant. NOTICE OF SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION The above named defendant will take notice that an action as en titled above has been commenced in the Superior Court of Meckleh burg County, North Carolina by the plaintiff to obtain an absolute divorce upon the grounds of two years separation; and the defen dant will further take notice that he is required to appear at the office of the Clerk of the Supe rior Court of Mecklenburg County at the Court House in Charlotte, North Carolina within twenty (20) days after the 20th day of Novem ber; 1947, and answer or demur to the complaint in said action, or the plaintiff will apply to the Court for the' relief demanded in the said complaint. This the 23rd day of October, 1947. J. LESTER WOLFE, Clerk of Superior Court. 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