Word: draconianism
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Wilson's draconian measures are designed not only to freeze wages and prices but, ironically enough for a Labor government, to create some unemployment. Already the first layoffs from firms cutting back production have begun. The British workingman's reaction is predictable. "It's a shock this comes from a Labor government," says Senior Shop Steward John Recordon of London's Palmer Aero Products. "I can't see any blame for the worker in all this, but now they're going to freeze wages. This talk about workin' harder is a myth...
With few exceptions, the self-seeking blurbs are quickly ripped open and then ripped up. But even that takes time, complained Miami Publisher Jay Morton of the weekly Florida Business Leader. After analyzing his daily 41-ft. pile of junk mail, Morton decided to take Draconian measures. By registered letter, he informed 35 of the most constant offenders (none of whom ever took ads) that in the future he would regard any handout as an ad-insertion order, which he would automatically print at a charge of $2.50 per column inch...
Last week, in another Draconian attempt to curb the pressure on prices, Castello Branco decreed that no union may be granted more than one wage boost a year-a blow to organized labor, which has been getting multiple raises yearly. By such stubborn measures, Castello Branco and his able Minister of Planning, Roberto Campos, at least hope to hold inflation this year to a mere 35%-which, if it can be done, will indeed be a miracle of sorts...
Indeed not; and suggestions echoed around London last week that raising the bank rate alone might not be enough. Apart from devaluation, which the government is desperately determined to avoid, there are two possibilities for further action: a politically risky wage freeze and import controls. Clearly, Britain will need Draconian measures-or miracles...
...major impetus for this Draconian doctrine traces back to 1911 when an upstate New York gravestone dealer named Donald MacPherson was driving his new Buick at 15 m.p.h. A wheel flew off, the car flipped, and MacPherson wound up in the hospital. He sued the Buick Co. for negligence in failing to inspect the defective wheel. Buick raised what was then a plausible defense: it had never sold MacPherson anything directly, since he bought from a dealer. Therefore, said Buick, it could not be held liable to MacPherson for negligence...