Leominster News - August 1920
Page 7 of 8
Leominster News 6th August 1920 - Page 7
Image Details
| Date | 06/08/1920 |
|---|---|
| Type | Newspaper |
| Format | |
| Language | English |
| Area | Leominster News |
| Collection Holder | Herefordshire Libraries |
| Date of Publication | 6th August 1920 |
| Transcription |
DAY of the highest This truth is Soviet Russia . d work without THE TALE OF BRICKS . BY GEORGE W. GOUGH , THE WELL - KNOWN ECONOMIC WRITER . One of the chief causes of high prices is During the war we had verest penalty , shortness of supply . ults in Russia he futility of and the as organiser and SIR LYNDEN his great body cally one , can health as long ains starved or Vice - President , our ) . is rather less ents the waste N , " Efficiency to turn our energies to defeating a powerful enemy . kind of productive work and went into the Millions of men ceased to do any fighting services . Hundreds of thousands more who stayed at home devoted themselves exclusively to the manufacture of all kinds of war materials which , however urgently they were needed , were , from the economic point of view , produced only to be destroyed . Under these circumstances there was bound to come a period when supply would fall short of de- mand , thus leading to higher and ever higher prices . s of Britain's Bricks . T This is a commonplace , but the unfortunate thing is that it is precisely the commonplaces that matter most and are most frequently for- gotten . No apology is needed therefore for drawing attention to Dr. Addison's Tale of It is not an extract from the Arabian genius of her Nights , though it rivals in interest any of the and fancies recorded in that famous collection of Eastern fairy tales . It is an account , in plain English prose , of what happened only the other day in England . Watts ve been to us ave carried out LICE J. WHIT- and they will policy of the managers . " y Magazine . " can do by way er to work a cle of achieve- EN , the famous Viscount Curzon asked the Minister of Health whether is was correct that a number were Other of bricklayers engaged on a housing scheme at Hayes left work as a protest against the alleged number of bricks being laid by some men on the job . Dr. Addison replied that it was so . The facts are that a gang brick- layers under a foreman named Burgess to turn its laying 700 bricks per man per day . gangs , under other foremen , were only laying 350. The latter thereupon sent a deputation to the contractor which stated that unless Burgess was dismissed the men would leave . No accusation of any kind was levelled against Burgess . The men under him were doing twice as much work as the others . This was the head and front of his offending , so they wanted him to be turned off , as one unfit for their company , a mere malefactor . It was y said that the Avertise is like to his girl in he is doing , RT N. CASSON , Ives on their would do well effects of NES , M.P. ca ' not asserted that Burgess had got the men of his gang to do their tale of 700 bricks per man per day by harrying them , or pressing them to work unduly . The bricklayer who cannot lay 700 bricks a day without sweating himself , oughtn't to be a bricklayer . He is far better fitted for a life of repose . contractor refused to entertain he idea of dis- hense fortune . charging Burgess . The men thereupon car- biggest savage ried out their threat and left the job . Not all man can have of them , however . Burgess's gang remained e has muscle at work with Burgess . having more as , from small itself or sel- wn necessities . duction of food mon activity . The country is short of commodities . So the Pro- e their advan- duction is down on all hands . Mr. McKenna , eed , but turn who has exceptional sources of knowledge at mmunity , that his command , told us the other day that pro- AUDE ROYDEN , duction in this country was down to 75 per cent . of its pre - war level . One of the highest authorities in England told me the other day that this estimate was much too favourable . He said that it was down to 60 per cent . Now there is no single commodity in which produc- tion is down so much as in the production of houses . From the outbreak of war till the Armistice no houses were built , and the conse- quence is that at the present moment the country wants at least 800,000 new houses in order to meet its needs . Try to imagine what this means . There are not 800,000 houses in Glasgow , Liverpool , Manchester , Leeds and Birmingham put together . If all the men and women who have got married since the war began were alive to - day , had one child to as the best production is SIR LYNDEN believe in res- y practise it , in ignorance , against their each couple on an average ,, and lived in the LYNES , M.P. same place , they would make a town nearly as big as greater London . That is the prob- lem we have to face , and in order to help us face it cheerfully and manfully the bricklayers of Hayes propose to lay one brick a day where they could lay two without stretching them- etween Britain ture has made uld and could but that the n have created selves . ous than MAUDE any is the policy ities of every .HON . G. N. SITUATION D. is the shortage uropean coun- extremely diffi- raw I do It is important to note that these men were working on time rates . Employers would no doubt be willing for them to work piece - rates , but their Union refuses to allow them . not want bricklayers to be sweated . I want them to have a fair and full day's wage . I know bricklayers have peculiar difficulties , due mainly to weather conditions . If they are not satisfied with what they are getting , and with working conditions generally , by means let them stand up and say so . The people will see they get a square deal . My point is this , that , once the wage is agreed on , it should be earned . If Burgess and his gang can lay 700 bricks per man per day , so can other foremen and other gangs . he comparative I should like to see it established by evi- xchange facili - dence that no one could refute what is the countries , with tale of bricks that a bricklayer can lay per cies , find it ex- day , and day by day , without unduly tiring essential himself . No one wants a bricklayer to go home so exhausted that he cannot enjoy family and social life . When this is established , provided that the bricklayer is getting a fair wage for hih work , the country ought to in- sist that the bricks should be laid . These men East , in spite een made , both er and the im- this difficulty . e been granted kers , but they is purpose and one which leon of finance . at Hayes are not injuring the contractor . The contractor gets his price , and he knows before he sends in his estimate what the men will do . It is the country that suffers , most of all n international the working people of this country . Mr. J. by the repara- H. Thomas said the other night that the work- entral Empires ing classes of this country had put out their may , however , thinking just as the upper classes put out their r such a loan washing . The epigram is just , but Mr. he investors in Thomas might have gone a good deal further . it would have The working classes of this country have often could hardly be put out their thinking to men who cannot supported by think correctly , and who therefore try to per- As , however , suade them that they are benefiting themselves her article , the when they practise " ca ' canny . " What is , re so conserva- true of the people of Hayes is true of every- tunities in his one of us everywhere . What is not pro- ful whether he duced , cannot be consumed . We shall never n international live in unbuilt houses . indicated . In economic laws ght itself . The currencies has rts and discour trade balances bly safe to say alue of the ore rapid than profess to be- further tempor- of sterling may A TON OF COAL . Sir Robert Horne has had compiled a very instructive table showing by analysis the cost of a ton of coal . This reveals the cost of pro- ducing a ton of Best Derby as 33s . 3d . Of that 33s . 3d . , 22s . 8d . is directly paid in wages and a good porportion of another 2s . 6d . , in- cluded in which is the cost of supplying the re many factors miners with coal at preferential rates , can of the ster - justly be added to that . The share of the be felt within a capitalist " is 2s . 8d .. 2s . 1d . for the owners ' One might in- standard profits and 7d . for royalties . Besides investments in this , the owners receive one - tenth of the sur- oping freights , plus profits of exported coal . Before the coal The effect of reaches the consumer another 23s . 11d . must be een granted to added over and above the pit - head price , of ad this coun- which a certain proportion is again paid in to the process wages to those who distribute the coal , loaders , be paid to the carmen , etc. , and the remainder is divided rer or export amongst railway rate , wagon hire and so forth . goods , probably The coal merchant takes Is . 3d . a ton , making a steadily de - a total profit of 38. 11d . out of the 57s . 2d . which his ban - 1 One may be sure that not one person in a an , this , under hundred realises when he buys a ton of coal renewed indefi- that such an enormous proportion of the price of the importer he pays goes into the miners ' pockets and such same time the a comparatively petty sum into the capi- talist's banking account . the home de- rices in the ex- possible to de- he improvement ; but the only work and econ- and poor alike , ce to the limit e and cut down upon luxuries ; way , can the the grievous SUPPLY . ARNING TO Miners are busy planning another huge wage demand . It is clear from the above figures that there is nothing more to be extracted from profits , " otherwise no one with a penny to invest would ever even think of putting it at the disposal of the mining industry . It would then perish through starvation of capital ; it must therefore come from the consumers pockets , who consider £ 3 a ton already a por- tentous burden . HORSE BACKS TRAP INTO RIVER . TWO LIVES LOST IN WALES . Mr. Evan Owen , Hafodgarregog , Beddgelert , a well - known Carnarvonshire farmer , was driv- ing to Portmadoc market , accompanied by a and imported farmer's wife , Mrs. Hughes , Garregalltrem Food Control- Bach , and a boy aged 12 , when the horse shied their own in- whilst crossing Craesor Bridge , a wooden is practicable , structure spanning the River Glaslyn , three atter from the miles from Portmadoc . The bridge handrail registered un- gave way , and the affrighted horse backed the otments of im- trap into the river , which was high in flood . ade to retailers The boy jumped out in time , but Mr. Owen and Mrs. Hughes both fell into the river and were drowned . of customers tioning was in by the Food le division of heir customers , nsure all their the share to Dr. Tarlton , a visitor staying at the Glaslyn Hotel , happened to be only a short distance away . He ran to the scene and dived in with Mrs. a " marking his clothes on and managed to bring Mr. Owen ashore , but death had supervened . Hughes's body had not been recovered at a late hour . The horse swam ashore . CRICKET . THE LEOMINSTER NEWS , AUGUST 6 , 1920 . for himself than he got before the war , but he takes it out of a much smaller total product . WHEAT AND SUGAR . SECURITY OF TENURE . acted by law . HOUSES AFFECTED . perty is diminishing in value , but protection does not relate to cases where principal money is repayable by means of periodical instalments . THE BILL JUSTIFIED . annual value of £ 135,000,000 . Major THE LAND - GIRL . MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO . BY OLIVE HOCKIN Author of Two Girls on the Land , " etc. in charge , WAR ON THE BRITISH 7 REDS . " Two Labour Members of Parliament , Mr. William Graham and Mr. J. G. Hancock , have been expressing themselves very frankly about the extremists of the Labour movement . Mr. men are LANDLORD AND TENANT . of its pre - war level . This means that we are KINSHAM COURT V. BRAMPTON BRIAN . before the war . only a little over half as well off as we were THE NEW BILL . A good many workers are There was plenty of excitement for play- relatively better off than they used to be . It Hundreds of thousands of citizens are deeply ers and spectators alike at Brampton Brian on takes half - a - crown nowadays to buy food that concerned in the various questions that relate to Saturday last when the Kinsham Court team cost only a shilling before the war . If a work- Rent Restriction and the recovery of tenements . There are in Great Britain roughly one - and - a Down the lane a troop of cows , Hancock says : " I am not the only miners went over to play the return match . Rain that man is earning three chillings for every shil . It is , therefore , fitting that the new , Bill , en - half million private dwelling houses of the the way from hedge to hedge , longbloed , leader against whom the Bolsheviks are mak had fallen on the days previous had kept the ling he earned before the war , it is quite true titled " Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest annual alue of 220 and upwards , the estimated powerful beasts , and , to my naceristomed ing a dead set . Their aim is to discredit and wicket on the soft side and both teams found that he is better off , but it is only by making ( Restriction ) Bill , " should be briefly summarised . the estimated total annual value of which is nerves , of an appearance ferocious . that runs did not come along very easily , es- other people worse off . He gets a larger share £ 70,000,000 There are six - and - a - half million precipátely over the nearest gate , and from Trade Union leaders . These wild I fled hound out all the loyal and constitutional pecially in the first innings . Having won the houses under £ 20 annual value , the estimated behind the comforting barrier stayed to watch only in a very small minority , but the apathy toss the home Captain thought it best to have first knock , but wickets fell rapidly . Seven In moving the second reading . Dr. Addison total angrand total of 6,000,000 house with them pass . Slowly they trooped by , snorting of the great majority enables them to do much As a dictionary - maker , Dr. Johnson , the value of which is £ 65,000,000 . This alarmingly as they sniffed a stranger's mischief . " Mr. Graham says that a vendetta . were down for 13 runs , and all the side were author of the first great English Dictionary , said that the first main provision of the Bill is out for 31. The Rev. Hastings claimed of boasted very justly that he was equal to the go to extend for three years , with certain qualifi- total grand total of 8,000,000 houses , with presence , and after them , holding - with perfect has been commenced by the noisy minority these , put together in his usual good style . members of the French Academy who had cations , security of tenure to tenants of dwel- Barnes estimates the total increased rent which sang - froid - on to the tail of the hindmost , against all reasonable representatives in Parlia The Kinsham side gave an , inglorious dis- taken longer to do their dictionary than he had ling houses , to run from the date of the passing the Bill authorises at 240,000,000 . It has been and swinging it confidingly , strolled the girl ment . " Their principal business is one form Nowadays we are told that , of the Bill . It is the most extensive and far- suggested from several quarters , principally of extremism after another , " he says . " They play when their team came to bat , and play - taken over , the American is equal to three reaching proposal for securing tenants ever en- Labour , that the Bill is designed to encourage ing the shapely limbs of the great animals , cutions in this country must be abolished and ing too cautious , could do nothing with the If , as an artist , I was interested in watch- say that Parliament and representative insti bowling of Lloyd ( who did the " hat trick Englishmen . profiteering in houses . and Anderson , and were all out for 13 runs , It might be imagined I was altogether fascinated by the appearance Soviets substituted . " Mr. Graham has in that the Bill only concerns a handful of large of the girl . Her compact build and easy mind such men as Tom Mann , who says , of which Rollings made 8. It had been agreed to play until 7 o'clock and after having tea , and wealthy property - owners , whereas the fact movements spoke all through of sturdiness Russia has done inestimable service by teach- The limit of rent to which the existing Act is that the total number of owners affected is and strength . which was thoroughly enjoyed by all , Bramp With square - set shoulders , ing the world that Parliaments were nothing The July number of the Contemporary applies is £ 70 in London , 250 in Scotland , and somewhere about a million . Scores of thou - wide swaying hips and head thrown back , she but decadent Chinese josshouses . " The ex- ton Brian again took the wicket . With eight Review contains two important articles dealing to £ 105 W London , £ 90 in Scotla dow raised sands of them are dependent on rents received swung along in , her short overall and heavy tremists are really few in number , though , in £ 70 for made a sporting deck at 42 Captain Harley with the food supply of this country . Nation's elsewhere . The provisions of the 13ill apply to cost of living affects them like anyone else from every feature . Increase in the boots , good health . and good temper radiating owing to the timidity of the better known declaration and closed , leav- Mr. Anthony Collett writes on the ing the visitors about 40 minutes to get the Wheat Supply " and reviews the conditions pre- dwelling , where either the annual amount of wages to meet the increased cost of living . The my retreat , a smile spread over her face . a house , or part of a house let as a separate Labour has insisted on enormous increases in Labour leaders , their influence is far greater As she came by and caught sight of me in than it ought to be . Trade Unions had long necessary 61 runs required to win . With been a powerful force in this country before order of the day hit hard or get out , the veiling before and after the passing of the Corn the standard rent or the rateable value does not railwaymen alone have secured increases repre- " AFRAID O ' THEY ! " exceed those figures . Standard rerit means the senting a total of £ 70,000,000 Surely , they they entered into politics . James Mawdsley , Kinsham men took all risks , and the first two Production Act in 1917 , which he regards as an epoch - making piece of legislation . one of the weightiest Labour leaders Lanca- men paid the penalty before any runs were siders that its main principles have already August 3rd , 1914 , or where the house was not artisan who invested their life earnings in house you've no need to be afraid o ' they ! He con rent at which the dweling house was let on cannot begrudge the poor widow and retired " Why , " she exclaimed , pausing a moment , shire has produced , was a Conservative in scored . However , when Pugh came in things been substantially developed and promises to let at that date the rent payable before that property the right to charge an increase of rent cows wouldn't hurt a baby - not one of em ! " tain that a Trade Union leader was a Liberal began to get interesting . He hit a 6 for a Them politics , and a generation ago it was not cer start and raised the hopes of the Court team . have lasting and incalculable results . date , or if it was let after that cate the rent commensurate with the general rise in the price " Now tell me , " said I. " If you had come much less an extremist . The 3rd wicket fell at 27 , and the 4th at 31 . at which it was then let . If , however , the lease of commodities . At last , and none Take a concrete casean upon those beasts in a narrow lane five years too soon , some Labour leaders are realising Restall came next and finding that Pugh was or tenancy agreement , provides for payment of a artisan house let at £ 20 a year . The maxi- ago , wouldn't you have tumbled over the gate from Russia's sad extremity that they are set , kept his end up well and the two were to- He records the fact that " to this day a sin progressive rent , the maximum rert payable in mum increase of rent authorised is £ 8 , or a just as quickly as I ? " gether until Pugh , amid being pushed down a slope that leads to At this her smile broadened further . great excitement , cere belief prevails among most classes that economic ruin , and are declaring war on our got a six just before time , which put the re- farmers have received large sums of money respect of the tenancy shall be the standard fraction over 3. a week , out of which the rent . a subsidy , owner has to pay for all repairs ( the cost of " Why , to be sure , " said she . " Five years British " Reds . " sult beyond doubt . With the last ball of the from the State in the shape of which is at least three times as much as pre- ago I was in service , with a family in Clap- match Anderson bowled Restall , but it was whereas the boot is certainly on the other leg , ANOTHER GREAT ILLUSION . Dr. Addison rightly observed that the un - war ) and also to pay at least a half per cent . ham ! And at that time I didn't know one too late and Kinsham Court had won , on the farmers having been compelled to subsidise the Prince Kropotkin in one of his books can- two innings by 7 runs . Pugh gave a masterly rest of the community by surrendering their popular feature of the Bill is the proposal to more in interest if the property is mortgaged . end of a cow from t'other . " " And now , I Mr. Graham , a Labe ur member , Contrast this with the recent award in favour suppose , you wheat harvest at much beneath market value . raise rent . communism which it is most difficalt to an- runs was invaluable to his side . 8s . 6d . a week increase , in addition to the pre- " Well , " said she , " don't know about that , swer is that which points out the antiquity of For last year harvest the the proposal , and Mr. Neil Maclean threatened vlous large increases secured by them . It but i've bin through most of the work now . the idea , the numerous experiments made with The fielding on both sides was keen , and operation at all . a number of nice catches were taken . Scores price paid to the British farmers ( with trifling that , if the Bill is passed , " there is going to should also be remembered that the Rent Re- Milking , ploughing , field - work , yard - work- it , and their universal failure . He then at- ex- there's not much I haven't had to do , from tempts to answer the charge that the com- Brampton Brian ( 1st Innings ) . Rev. H. F. variations ) was 66s . per quarter : for this and be a rent war in the West of Scotland . the first movement dosing a cow to ringing a pig . " Hastings , b Rollings , 23 ; E. Moore , b Mel- next years harvest , it has been fixed at 95s . and Barnes , while admitting that it was an emer - striction legislation established and now munist makes a fundamental error in his lors , o ; Major Lloyd , b Bevan , 1 ; E. H. Bevan , 100s . respectively . During the last few months , gency problem , said he calculated the effect of tended by the Government " And understanding of human nature and its needs b Bevan , o ; Capt . J. R. H. Harley , c Restall , the price of American wheat to the Govern- the Bill will be to withdraw or sething like to give tenants anything in the nature of fixity I thought the Land -to the impartial reader it would seem very b . Mellors , 3 ; A. Aldridge , b Mellors , 2 A ment at British ports has ranged round about forty million pounds from the sun represented of tenure and to impose a strict limitation of unsuccessfully . The virility of the commun- Beasley , st . Restall , b Mellors , o ; J. White- 125s . per quarter . British farmers are , there- by the very considerable advance in wages se - nts But there's hundreds istic idea would seem to be sufficiently ex- man , not out , 2 ; Crockett , c Mellors , b Roll- fore , forced to part with their wheat at many cured by the workers of the cour try . An in- I'd never go plained by the fact that from time immemorial ings , o Anderson , e Rollings , b Mellors , o ; shillings a quarter less than the Government is crease of ten per cent . is already permitted un- the worker has been told that there is a great surplus of wealth appropriated by a few un- B. Aldridge , b Rollings , o ; Extras , o ; Total , paying for wheat from abroad , and it is under the existing law . The present Bill provides deniable that they are subsidising the com- for an increase of thirty per cent .. i.e. , five per scrupulous persons , which were it confiscated Bowling . Bevan 2 for 15 , Mellors 5 for 11 , munity . " cent . in respect of increased mortgage interest " Allo , Bill ! I'aven't seen you for weeks and redistributed would greatly increase the Rollings 3 for 5 . Mr. Collett emphasises the importance of and twenty - five per cent . in respect of increased i Bill's pal stopped suddenly . Then prosperity of everyone . That is the funda- Kinsham Court ( 1st Innings ) .- W . Bevan , wheat production , as our dependence upon cost of repairs . Where the ten per cent . in- " But wot's wrong , man ? " he asked . mental illusion of the communistic case . c and b Lloyd , 1 ; G. Rollings , e Moore , foreign markets compels us to export gold to an crease has been already applied , it will be em . " You're lookin ' mightly seedy . Been ill Anderson , 8 W. Mellors , b Anderson , o ; W. enormous amount , so that our efforts to re - bodied in the thirty per cent . , and the further eh ? " Pugh , Beasley , b Lloyd , 1 ; W. Restall , bhabilitate our exchanges are largely stultified . increase permitted will be restricted to twenty Bill passed a horny hand across his brow . Lloyd , o ; B. Smith , not out , o ; H. C. Gar - We shall not be able to get as much wheat as per cent . In respect to Londor houses , to " No , " he replied , " I ain't been ill . Its stone , b Anderson , 1 ; R. S. Arkwright , st . we want at any price . British wheat - growing which the present limit of £ 70 apples , which is work wot's doin ' for me - work from seven in Hastings , b Lloyd , J. Griffiths , c Moore , b should , therefore , not be allowed to fall back now raised to £ 105 , a total increase of forty the mornin ' till six at night , and only one hour Lloyd , o ; T. Wiltshire , b Lloyd , o ; J. Mor- into its old depressed state . per cent . is authorised . gan , c Whiteman , b Lloyd , o ; Extras , 1 ; Total , FARMERS SUBSIDISE THE STATE . INCREASE OF RENT display . His total of 46 not out , out of 67 The guarantee has , in fact , never come into who moved the rejection of the Bill , condemned of railwaymen , whereby they get from 4s . to about them as any farmer know as much didly confesses that one of the objections to 31 . 13 . 42 . C CORN AREA DECREASING . LIABILITY TO REPAIR . Major Bowling . - Lloyd 7 for 7 , Anderson 3 for 5 . Where the tenant is responsible for repairs Last summer the acreage under wheat in the Brampton Brian ( 2nd Innings ) .- Rev . H. F. United Kingdom was 2,366,093 acres , which the twenty - five per cent , increase does not ap Hastings , b Mellors , 16 ; E. Moore , c Morgan , was over 400,000 acres less than in the year ply . If the tenant is responsible for some of b Pugh , 6 ; Major Lloyd , c Mellors , b Pugh , before . Only the passage before next autumn the repairs but not all , the Count Court may o ; E. H. Bevan , b Mellors , o ; Capt . J. R. H. of a Bill ensuring for wheat - growers a fair pro- assess what shall be a fair and reasonable allo- Harley , b Pugh , 11 ; A. Aldridge , b Mellors , fit plus the cost of production can avert an im- cation of the twenty - five per cent . between 2 ; A. Beasley , not out , i ; Anderson , b Mel- mense reduction in the home wheat acreage of landlord and tenant . The County Court may lors , 3 ; Extras , 3 ; Total ( 8 wickets declared ) , 1921. Unless the farmer is definitely guaran - suspend the operation of the increase of rent teed a fair profit , he is naturally inclined to if the house is not reasonably fit for human Crockett and B. Aldridge did not bat . abandon a type of farming that requires more habitation or is not in a reasonable state of Bowling . Mellors 4 for 16 , Pugh 4 for 20.labour than grass - land , besides involving a repair . This provision , however will not pro- Kinsham Court ( 2nd Innings ) .- W . Bevan , heavy investment of capital for machinery , fer tect the tenant where the condition of the b Anderson , 4 ; G. Rollings , b Anderson , o ; tilisers and seeds . From an acreage of wheat house is due to his own neglect or default . Ap- W. Mellors , lbw . , b Anderson , 4 ; W. Pugh , equavalent to that of 1918 , we might reckon in plication may be made to the local sanitary not out , 46 ; W. Restall , b Anderson , 8 ; B. a normal season on producing 11,000,000 quar - authority for a certificate as the unsatisfac Smith , b Lloyd , o ; Extras , 5 ; Total ( for 5 ters or about one - third of our normal require- tory condition of a house , on paying a fee of wickets ) , 67 . ments ; and with adequate encouragement we one shilling , which may be deducted from the Bowling . Lloyd 1 for 7 , Anderson 4 for 31 , could safely reckon on increasing this area up to rent if the certificate is issued . Beasley o for 15 , Harley o for 7 . a productive capacity of well over half our needs . The immediate effect of producing even a clear half of the wheat consumed by us would be to check the drain of gold in payment for imported wheat and thus substantially to im- prove the rate of exchange ONE AMERICAN EQUALS THREE ENGLISHMEN . A. STRAIGHT TALK ON SOCIAL TRUTH . Ye shall know the truth , and the truth shall make you free . BY GEORGE W. GOUGH , M.A. farm . RURAL PROSPERITY . PREMIUMS AND KEY MONEY . Dr. Addison referred to the practice of exact- ing all kinds of tolls , premiums . key money , and such like , which are pure and simple ex- tortions , and in the main an evasion of exist . ing Acts . It is , therefore , provided that any We should aim at producing a large combined person who required or requires the payment output of corn , wheat , and milk from the same of the tenancy or sub - tenancy of iny house ( to of a fine , premium or other like sum in respect We should retain on the land and which the Bill applies ) since March 25th last , tically the whole existing rural population and almost certainly increase it . With a stable shall repay it , and also be liable to a fine not exceeding £ 100 . The Court may also direct rural population in receipt of good wages , schemes for the development of a vigorous and repayment of the money . healthy village life would become something more than a dream . And if a great war came again , we should , with more than half of our wheat supply beyond the risk of interruption by sea , be in a far more secure position than when we were compelled to rely on foreign countries for four loaves out of five . " FURNISHED HOUSES . IN LICHTER VEIN . ANTICIPATION ! off . Think of it , mate ! " " Lumme ! " replied the other . " And ' ow long ' ave you been there ? " I ain't been there yet , " retorted Bill . " Begin to - morrer " he added gloomily , as he slowly slouched off . NO CHANGE . Prospective Bridegroom ( to verger ) : I intend Please tell me how getting married shortly . many Sundays are necessary for the publica- tion of the banns . " Verger : " Three clear Sundays , young man the same as for any ordinary execution . " QUITE OBVIOUS . Everybody in our family's some kind of an animal , " said Bobby to the amazed lady visitor . " What nonsense ! " she exclaimed . I'm Well , " replied Bobby , " mother's a dear , my baby sister is mother's little lamb . the kid , and dad's the goat . " MIGHTY FLATTERING ! " You don't say so ! I exclaimed . you are still going on ? Army was demobilised ? " Well - so they say . of us going on just the same . back to indoor work myself . " " I can quite understand that , " said I. " And you certainly look as if the life agreed with you . " " Oh - I'm well enough now , though they did use to say I was anæmic , up in Clapham . " STICKING IT . That's the " I suppose you live in the farmhouse , do you ? " I asked . " Why , no , " said she . " I have my own cottage , and live independent . best of it here . I'd never a - bin able to have a place o ' me own in town . " " You do your own housework then ? " " Yes . You see the hours are easier now . The The census of production , taken in 1906 showed that in the engineering trades the total profits taken by the operatives employed vastly exceeded that taken by anyone else . capital investment averaged some 180 to £ 200 per employee , and the average dividend did not exceed some 4 per cent . to 5 per cent .; in other words , to £ 9 or £ 10 per head . statistics recently given by a German econo- mist show that out of some 66 companies , the I leave work at five . And then there's Satur- most prosperous in the country , salaries and day afternoons to do your own cleaning . wages took 76 per cent . and shareholders only That's a lot different from when I began four 11 per cent . of the profits of those concerns . years ago . It was all day and every day then ; Some up at six in the morning , and often I'd not Were the whole sum of the profits of the in- dustry of this country given to the workers , it get back to my lodgings for tea till seven at would only result in their receiving a paltry night . And then there'd be the horses to and insignificent amount , and it would inci- clean and bed up after . " And yet you went on ? " " You don't say so ! " I exclaimed again . dentally , by destroying the reserves , which are absolutely vital to the expansion and pros- " Well ' twas war - time then . But I'd perity of the industry , ruin the business of the That is the truth about this fabled country . never do it no more . Things is all right now , and so long as I can I'll stick to the residue of wealth on which the communist founds his faith . It is one of the greatest il- But there I'll be losin ' my cows , lusions in history . stopping about like this . Good - bye , Miss . " work . The fact that it is an illusion has been per- And with a cheery nod she swung off down fectly exemplified in Russia , and is sufficient the road while I climbed back , congratulating myself , however , that my foolish fears had explanation of the universal failure of com- given me that momentary glimpse of so munistic experiments . thoroughly healthy a body and mind , A youngster in school was busy drawing . The teacher , to appear interested , approached MAKING THE MOST OF THE LAND . him and said kindly : " Well , Johnny , what are you drawing ? " Why , I was aking a picture of you , but it didn't look enough like you , so I put a tail on and called it a donkey . " SILVER FOR COPPER . Doctor : " Your husband , madam , is ing from nervous prostration . " Anxious wife : " Indeed , sir ? " Doctor : " And he needs something to What is his business ? " Anxious Wife : " He's is a policeman , sir . " quieten him . Doctor : " Well , slip a shilling into his the protection of the community to safeguard hand , when he isn't looking , every two hours Dr. Addison spoke of the class of case where- in the owners are limited as regards increases of rent , whereas it often happen that tenants farm houses and furnished rooms at extortion- ate prices . It is , therefore , right and proper for SAFEGUARDING OUR FOOD SUPPLY . By GEO . H. JAMES . A DUBIOUS EXPERIMENT . The experiments of Guild Socialism which are now in progress in connection with the local building industries of London and Man- chester are interesting and worth making . It is neither wise nor just to condemn any such experiment merely because it has the word " Socialism " in its title . It take these famous words as a text for a lay sermon without hesitation and without the slightest feeling of irreverence . The Jews , to whom they were addressed , murmured at them . They did not like the imputation cast apon them for they thought they were free , being of the seed of Abraham . They were mis- taken , for they were in bondage to error , and when men are in this sad case only the truth can make them free . The second article deals with " England and The error to which most men are in bond- age is an economic error , old and foolish , but her Sugar " and is written by Mr. J. Saxon sub - tenants in such cases , and the Bill provides during the night , and I'll call again in the no more striking exam- that where any person lets a house at a rent morning . Good - day ! " dreadfully persistent . And the error is that Mills . He says that If a ple of our national unthrift exists than that , which includes payment for use of furniture the be charged to it is only money - wages that matter . working , man was asked to say what his with a soil and , climate in these islands fully Court may limit the rent to What does Harold call his motor - boat congenial to sugar production and with a vast twenty - five per cent . beyond the normal profit weekly income was , he would never think of Empire embracing unlimited sugar - lands , we which might reasonably have been derived asked Maudie . replying : " The use of a six - roomed house , should have elected before the war to buy 93 from a similar letting in the year ended August the use of two suits of clothes , six pounds of sure what he called it when he was trying beef , seven pounds of potatoes , three four - lb . per cent . of our sugar requirements from for- 3rd , 1914. Thus , of the rental cf a house in I can't say exactly . " replied Mainrie , " but landed estates , the tenant farmer has in many shall be the cost of labour added to the cost loaves , the reading of one novel from the eign countries , mainly Germany and Austria . 1914 was £ 50 , and it was let furnished for to start the engine wasn't the name painted on Free Library , seven newspapers , one football and that we should to - day be in the grip of a £ 100 , the charge for furniture or normal profit the bow . " well - lighted match , one visit to the pictures , 12 tram- rides , the use of clean and streets , " and so on to the end of his list . He would sum it all up by saying " Four pounds a week . " But suppose he got each week forty of the things called " pounds , " but after getting them had to revise the catalogue of his real income as follows : " The use of three rooms , the use of one suit of cloths , three pounds of beef , no football match , no visit to the pictures , 12 walks to and from work , dirty unlit strets , " and so on . Is it not sun - clear that he would be much worse off ? Cuban sugar - corner . " BIGGEST SUGAR CONSUMER . being £ 50 , the maximum rent that may be charged in such case under the Bill is £ 112 10 HEARD OBSCURELY . The Guild membership consists of Trades During the past five years the question of British agriculture has been brought very Unionists in the building , trades , and their prominently before the public , and practic- object is " to carry on the industry of builders , They ally everybody has been considerably con- decorators and general contractors . " suffer - cerned as to the need of a more secure supply supply the management side , the brains of the business , and they profess , no doubt sincerely , of home - grown foodstuffs . " difference in the public , attitude towards agri- Consequently there has arisen a very marked no desire to make any profit . The success of this experiment will , of course , turn on the question of " brains . " culture , and a real desire to see it placed on remains to be seen whether the Guild , Com- a more secure footing in this country . The main foundation upon which the new mittees of working men will be able to com- continued production from the land , and to whether they will choose such persons and agriculture should rest is the greatest possible mand the services of expert directing brains this end the vital need of security is required whether they will give them sufficient control Insufficient attention over their operations . by the three principal parties concerned in the has been drawn to the draft contract framed This profession of agriculture , viz . , the farmer , the by the promoters of the Building Guild . landowner , and the agricultural worker . Owing to the recent splitting up of the large specifies that the price to be paid for a house cases become the owning farmer . of materials , plus ten per cent . , to cover ex- I will endeavour to deal here only with the penses of management and cost of plant , and landowner section of the agricultural com- the guarantee to the workers of full payment That is munity . for time lost through the weather . THE FARMER'S STAKE IN THE ingenious enough , but it must be pointed out that its effect would be that the longer the work took , the more the workers slacked , the Without commenting on the recent sales of more material was wasted , the greater would large landed estates , it must be evident that be the amount produced by the ten per cent . in order to encourage the greatest possible in- provision . " There is no guarantee on the part vestment in land , such security must be given of the Guild that the workers will do a fair to the men who invest their capital in land as day's work , or that care will be taken to pur- will ensure the financial prosperity of the in- chase materials as economically as possible . dustry , consistent with general financial sta- The Guild gets an extraordinarily free hand . bility . The Ministry of Health , naturally enough , has Such investments should carry fair rates of suggested that this contract should be rates . I am of the opinion that it will be to of cost and a clause empowering the local the best interests of the whole community if authority to break the contract in the event the taxation of land was brought down to of the Guild Committee , through its own de- the lowest possible standard . QUITE IMPOSSIBLE . wh The heavy permanent charges on land have fault , working in excess of the estimate . The Ministry has been abused by interested " What do you think ? " one little boy asked undoubtedly checked that badly needed free parties on account of this order , but it is per- Otherwise this ex- playmate . The doctor's brought a baby output of capital , which was necessary for fectly sound and right . Isn't it horrid ? " The only the purpose of providing more numerous suit- periment will teach us nothing . Can't you get him to take it able farm buildings , better housing for the fair data would be produce by competition on late . CAUTION . or an additional profit of twenty - five per cent . A boy who had been absent from school for " The United Kingdom is the biggest con on the normal profit of £ 50 obtained in 1914. several days returned with his throat carefully sumer of sugar of all European States . The Anyone charging a profit in excess of this swathed , and presented this note to his rate of consumption is almost the largest in the limitation will be liable to a fine of £ 100 , and teacher : Please don't let my son learn any German world - namely , 80 or 90 pounds per annum in the Court may order the excess rent charged to The corresponding figure in be refunded . to - day - his throat is so sore he can hardly normal times . speak English . " Germany is 30 to 40 pounds . The value of our pre - war importations was over £ 25,000,000 per It has just been officially stated that their value in 1919 was £ 53,962,000 . " annum . STANDARD RENT A landlord is bound under a penalty of £ 10 , on being so requested by a tenant , to furnish within fourteen days a statement as to what house . THE TROUBLE . " I tell you , old man , there's always room at the top , " said Jimpsonberry . " But the worse of it is , there's never any elevator to take you up . " COUNTRY . Everybody would answer this question in Since 1914 , the production of sugar beet in the standard rent of the occup ed dwelling I haven't a doubt of it , " said Languish , interest , and not as in the past extremely low amended by the insertion of a definite estimate The sugar supply , is immensely decreased . The crudest Bolshevist , the Europe has fallen by 4,200,000 tons . Two high and dry old Tory , and all the gradations avenues of activity are open for the develop in between would hestitation cry out " Yes . " ment of British enterprise . , the affirmative . Mr. Mills says : BUSINESS PREMISE 5 . This Bill only applies to business premises It is our obvious duty and interest to develop if the tenant resides therein . Di. Addison re- Now the curious thing about social truth is that cane sugar production in our tropical colonies . ferred to the demand for the inclusion in the Bill nine out of ten of those who recognise it as but this does not absolve us from the obligation of all business premises and said that persons truth when it comes before their minds as an to grow sugar in our own shires and villages . often have to face a great incres se , of rent or intellectual proposition , straightway defy it in By the consent of all countries that have every detail of their working lives . to - day is universally for higher money - wages , adopted sugar beet as a staple , nothing im- perhaps lose the goodwill of a business . But and all the time the world is slipping steadily proved the methods of cultivation and raises the business great difference between shops and back towards a poverty from which it has been plane of agriculture so unfailingly as lifted by two or three generations of active work before the war . SOME TEST CASES . The cry Let us look how things stand abroad . The to our house . Rot " Rotten . " No ; it's days . " premises of any kind , and ordinary sugar dwelling houses . In any event the Govern- ment could not deal piecemeal with this vast Q problem , and they proposed to sit up a Select Committee of the House of Coinmons to ex- amine the whole question with beet . ' BEET BETTERS CULTIVATION . " When included in a rotation , it invariably increases the output of all succeeding crops . No country that has ever adopted sugar beet further legislation . a view to truth is hard to see when it lies at your feet , has been known to relinquish it . " The article ___ RECOVERY OF POSSESSION . but if you see it afar off you are likely to re- coghise it as truth . goes on to explain the fiscal assistance which the sugar beet industry now enjoys in this We've used it four agricultural worker , and the all - important im- similar work between the Guild and private provement of the drainage of land , large tracts enterprise . ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS .. Mr. O'Rafferty ( confined to his bed ) : " Och , Bridget , phwat did yez be afther wakin ' me up for p " Mrs. O'Rafferty : " An ' didn't th doctor tell Recovery of tenements is limited to cases in the to give yez a schlepin ' powther iviry two Let us then turn to Germany . According to country . Under the Finance Act of 1919 , sugar which ( 1 ) rent lawfully due has not been paid , hours ? " the Union of German Engineering Works , the TAILOR AND CUTTER . average output of a foundry worker in 1014 was produced in this country will enjoy a prefer- or some other tenancy obligation has bee 42 metric tons , a metric ton being slightly ence of £ 6 48. 5½d , per ton over foreign im- broken , or not performed ; ( 2 ) tenant , or any Socks : " Er - perhaps I ought to mention smaller than an English ton . In 1919 it was ported sugar and £ 118 . 102 / d . per ton over person residing with him , has been guilty of sugar imported from British Dominions and conduct which is a nuisance or annoyance to that I shan't pay for that suit I've just ordered only 22 metric tons , only a little over half as Colonies . A remarkable experiment in sugar adjoining occupier , or the condition of the till June the thirtieth . " much . The foundry worker is very important beet production is now being conducted on dwelling house has deteriorated owing to acts Shopman : " That won't matter in the least ,. to industry . Industry to - day in this country commercial and British lines at Kelham , near of waste or by neglect or default of tenant or sir is still suffering severely from something Newark . such other person ; ( 3 ) tenant has given notice Socks : " Good ! When shall I come in to which the general public have by now com- THE KELHAM FACTORY . to quit , and landord has in consequence sold or try it on ? " pletely forgotten - the Ironmoulders ' Strike of Shopman : " On the first of July , sir . " WHY NOT . of which could be made much more fertile if properly drained . ial ? What on earth can policy . was the general belief that this 8 - hour day Land is the raw material from which food- RAILWAY WORKERS AND THE 8 - HOUR DAY . stuffs are produced . Surely , therefore , it is not good policy to tax unduly such raw mater The community generally was absolutely re- Agriculture naturally must bear its full share towards the upkeep of the country , but conciled to the fact that the railwaymen were such forms of taxation should be used as will to be granted an 8 - hour day , but no doubt it encourage the free use of capital to enable the improvements mentioned to be undertaken , would be a reality and that the ordinary em- especially so in the case of many tenant far - ployee of a railway company would work a full mers who have had to acquire their holdings . eight hours . But that expectation is very wide of the mark . The 20 per cent . reduction in CAPITAL FOR DEVELOPMENT . working hours has far more than a correspond- Their available capital is locked up by the ing effect upon the railway companies ' wage purchase . Their practical experience tells bill . At a matter of fact it has proved im- them that by effecting such improvements as possible to organise the railway system so that more convenient buildings , re - draining , etc. , all railwaymen can be profitably employed for their lands could be made more productive . eight hours a day . On one southern railway . It would undoubtedly be to the best interests for example , enginemen do not average more a few months back . For the foundry feeds in- The Company at Kelham itself owns broad let the house ; ( 4 ) the dwelling house is reason- of the nation if suitable grants of money were than five hours a day on the footplate ; and the dustry . German industry only gets half the acres which the British Sugar Beet Growing ably required by landlord for his own residence forthcoming , at the lowest possible rate of rest of the time is spent in walking , riding and food it used to get from every foundry worker . Society has been preparing for the beet . The or for some person in his empleyment , or in Litle Bobby heard his father say one even - interest . The security ample , and the re- waiting - riding from their locomotive depot to Consequently it is sick unto death . " On the public shareholders in the Kelham undertaking the employment of some tenant rom him , and am firmly convinced , prove the Company's terminal stations , in order to re- other hand , the average yearly wage of the include many agriculturists both local and the Court is satised that alternative accommoda - ing : Pshaw , I wish young Sparks would go . sults would , German foundry worker increased from 1,463 national . In 1921 , the factory will be ready to tion reasonably equivalent as regards rent and It's nearly midnight , and I'd like to lock up abundantly the wisdom of this suggested lieve other men who , were they allowed to complete their run , would be on duty for more marks in 1914 - a mark used to be a shilling deal with the best harvest of that year , and the suitability in all respects is available . This pro- the house and get to bed . Security against mismanagement and low than eight hours ; waiting at out - stations where to 5,444 marks in 1919. The consequence was result should be the dumping of some 8,000 vision as regards alternative accommodation is Sparks and Mabel find to talk about all these that the cost of wages for every metric ton of tons of English sugar in the national sugar basin hot to endure ( 1 ) for the benefit of tenant occu- hours ? " Bobby tiptoed to the parlour door , production from the land should be given to they have been taken off down trains , again to iron increased from 341 marks in 1914 to 248 a small fraction of the 1,800,000 tons that we pying the house in virtue of employment which peeped through the keyhole , and then , tip - toe- the landowner , and such powers should be prevent exceeding their eight hours in order Of course , so far as marks are annually consume , but a substantial nucleus of has ceased ; ( 2 ) where the landlord gave up oc- ing back to his father , said : " It ain't Mr. given as would enable the immediate removal that they may work trains back to their own concerned , this looks excellent for the foundry - home supply which may quickly will be lord required the property befo ( 3 ) where land . Sparkes's fault , pa . He can't go . Mabel's of any occupier who does not , in the opinion depots ; riding home as passengers from out- of a competent authority , produce as much as stations where they have been relieved because man , whereas the weekly catalogue of his real other similar enterprises are started . It September 30. sittin ' on him . " can be reasonably expected from the land he there is no train for them to work home . income has dimished very greatly . He is not capable of dealing with 600 tons of roots per 1916 ( or in respect of large houses to which the The statement of these facts is not intended better off , but much worse off for a change day that is to say , 60,000 tons of the produce Bill applies for the first time , before March 20 , 1920 ) and the Court is satisfied thit greater hard- I am aware of the difficulties which possibly as any reproach or attack upon the men . which is apparently all in his favour . of 6,000 acres in a winter's campaign . would arise in deciding who is the competent introduction of the 8 - hour day should have been Take France . The Minister of Public Works . Mr. Saxon Mills makes the calculation that a ship would be involved in refusing than in recently stated in the French Chamber that million and a - half acres under sugar beet , as granting possession . anthority , but these difficulties are not insur accompanied by an entire reorganisation of the mountable , and if the classes recognise the working time - table of the railways and the allot- the total output of the Coal Mines which had suming 12 tons of beet as the produce of an fact that greater production is not only neces- ment of men , and the loyal attempt of the rail- sary , but will benefit all parties , we shall then way companies to organise the working of the work together for the elimination of the in- staff so as to prevent , wherever humanly possi At a certain Scottish mansion , notorious for different and careless person in each sphere , ble more than eight hours being worked , has scanty fare , a gentleman was enquiring of the and for the proper encouragement of the one resulted in huge waste of time and a great gardener about a dog which some time ago he who is prepared to do his utmost . increase in the cost of transport , and , of course , had given to the laird . The gardener showed All connected with the land have the strong- a considerable increase in the cost of living . him a lank greyhound , upon which the gentle- est reasons for asking for the support of the whole community in their endeavours towards man said : The Bill proposes to authorise an increase in the rate of interest in respect of mortgages on " No , no ; the dog I gave your master was a the greatest possible production from the land . mastiff , not a greyhound . " houses to which the Bill applies , up to a maxi- The gardener quietly answered : " Indeed , mum of six - and - a - half per cent . , but the actual increase for the period of one year from the any dog might soon become a greyhound by passing of the Bill is limited to one - half per stopping here . " cent . per annum . marks in 1919 . not been affected by the events of the war , hai acre , would be needed to supply the total an- fallen from 29 million tons in 1917 to 20 million nual requirements of the British Isles . We may tons in 1919 . DISTRESS FOR RENT .. Distress for rent cannot be levied in respect Before the war the total output join with Mr. Saxon Mills in hoping that the of any house to which the Bill applies without of the miner was seven - tenths of a ton a day . Kelham enterprise will be an unchallenged leave of the County Court , which can adjourn . success and that the sugar factory will become stay , suspend , postpone , or otherwise deal with as familiar a feature of our English countryside any application . as in those countries which are so long ahead At the present time it is only half a ton . " A wave of idleness is passing over the country , " he said . Take America . The Annual Report of the of us in the development of this beneficial in- Republican Iron and Steel Company shows dustry . that in 1915 every workman got 2,700 dollars and turned out 142 tons , whereas in 1919 he turned out 99 tons and got 5,400 dollars . Fortunately for America this extreme is not typical of her industry as a whole . " Some SIX YEARS AGO . Six years ago on August 4th the Foreign decades ago , " says the " Economic Review , " Office issued the announcement that " a when England was the recruiting office of the state of war exists between Great Britain and world , the average industrial worker in Eng- Germany . " That war , which lasted four - and- land did as much work as three American a - quarter years , cost us : - In men , 762,749 killed . 2,110,650 wounded , 275,303 missing ( many of them dead ) . In money , £ 8,000,000.000 . workers . Now the average American does as much as three Englishmen . ' / THINK IT OVER . For it the British Empire placed in the I have been told by a competent authority field , in the air , and on the sea , 8.654,46 that output in England is down to 60 per cent . men . MORTGAGE INTEREST . CALLING IN MORTGAGES . THE CAUSE OF THE FLARE - UP . Mrs , Bleecker : " Jane , have you turned the gas on in the parlour , as I told you ? " Jane ( recently engaged ) : " Yis , mum ; can't yez shmell it ? SOON GOT THIN . CHENEY'S ECZEMA SALVE Mortgages of houses to which the Bill applies ANTISEPTIC . HEALING . For all kinds of cannot be called in so long as ( 1 ) interest is not Sores and Irritable Conditions of the Skin . twenty - one days in arrear ; ( 2 ) covenants are per- formed and observed ; ( 3 ) the property is kept in PRICE 1/3 , Postage 3d .; SAMPLE BOX 9d . proper repair . The County Court has discre- tionary power in cases of leaseholds where pro- Postage 2d . CHENEY , CHEMIST , LEOMINSTER . uses . The Turning a corner , he came full on the Jamie , a workman in the Lancashire mill , was sneaking ont one morning in search of a quiet corner in which to enjoy a whiff of to- Client : I want to sue for a divorce and and bacco . an allowance of £ 1,500 a year . " Lawyer : " boss . " " What is your husbands income ? Client " It's about that . I wouldn't ask for more than a man makes . I'm not that kind . " the boss . " Were you looking for me ? " asked Aw war that , " replied Jamie , but aw didna ' weant to see thi . " " Who is at the phone ? " Your wife , sir . " Are going for a Holiday , If so , get your What does she want ? " The only word I can TRAVELLING CASE from the Leominster understand is idiot , sir . " Let me come Printing Co .. next Post Office and Drapers She probably wants to talk with me . " Lane , Leominster . there . 14 |