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Show oo PROTECTING THE CONSUMER No sooner had tho President issued his order fixing the pricjc of coal than complaints began to be made by coal minors that the limiting of coal prices would automatically prevent an ad-vanco ad-vanco in their wages, noccssary to meet the ascending cost of living. Rather hasty Is this action of tho minors. To stabilize prices, a begin ning must be made affecting the price of coal, or flour, or meat, or any one of a dozen necessary articles. By the time the government finishes tho task of preventing profiteering, the miners will discover they are being protected in the purchasing power of their wages as much as they are limited in demanding higher pay. With the demand somewhat exceeding exceed-ing the supply, every article of extensive exten-sive use was being sent sky high. There was only one thing to do, and tho government has moved in the right direction. Cost of production, based on present conditions, Is being figured by experts in every important line of production. A fair margin of profit is being allowed, and the upward up-ward course of prices is being halted at that point. This will work no hardships hard-ships on producers and will protect the consumers from extortion. |