GOOD WORK FORCE HERE CITED IN P&G MOVE

The news was quite familiar to observers of today's increasingly competitive global economy: Procter & Gamble, the worldwide consumer-products giant with a huge presence in Cape Girardeau County, would be eliminating 15,000 jobs and closing 10 plants in a massive cost-cutting effort. For our friends at the local plant, however, and for all of us who depend on the vitality they contribute to the local economy, the news was good: Neither the existing P&G plant nor the new $350-million paper products plant under construction would be affected by the job cutbacks.

The P&G announcement is fresh evidence that no producer is free from the competitive pressures that are forcing increased efficiencies everywhere, in all industries. These can be lamented when jobs are eliminated, but in reality they are creating new opportunities for those who are ready to seize them. This is a world-class company that has set ambitious goals for itself over the next few years. A new chief executive officer has made it clear that cost-cutting is at the top of his agenda. All in his vast empire will have to toe the line in implementing these plans.

Still, once again, Cape Girardeau County gets a reprieve, in no small part because of the tremendous competitiveness of our local work force. P&G officials have many times testified to the productivity of the work force they have found here. This fact was a large part of the major decision, announced two years ago this spring, to build the big new plant here when it was coveted far and wide by other communities and, yes, even other countries.

Cape Girardeau won out because we have good workers, good job training capabilities and a cooperative approach from government officials. As long as we continue with that combination, we can look forward to more progress.