New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-06
FlCTS .iBOUT L1BOR.


Though numbers of tramps still loiter in our
cities and towns, there is evidence of improve
ment m the demand for labor. The most ac-
curate and trustworthy statistics on this gem
eral subject are prepared in Massachusetts,.
Except in the census, there is little compiled
in this country that is comparable with the
annual reports which her Bureau of Statistics
of Labor presents to the Legislature. The re-
turns are, indeed, only those of single State,
but Massachusetts, Is focus OF labor
where general changes i'll the condition OF
work -people are promptly indicated. Obser-
yations in the last weeks of 1877 showed the
noteworthy fact that no considerable bodies
of men were out of employment, except UNI
skilled labOrers and, perhaps, the workmen of
some of the building trades This was before
the strikes and lock-outs in the boot and shoe
manufacture. The decline of wages since
1875 averages only 9l3 per cent, the greatest
reduction being i'll the manufacture OF
wooden wares The employment has been,
during 1877, very nearly "a continuous,
taking the average of industries, as
in preceding years. The total number of work
people employed has increased by Dig per cent.
The quantity of goods made is greater by 10
to 3 per cent their value, calculated in gold,
is higher by 4 per cent. The increase in
value OF products in nine of the leading IN
dustries is S.3S per cent.
1t is not to be denied that the past year has
been one of great depression in business, and that
few people have made large profits in any
branch of industry. But the facts of the
foregoing statistics cannot be gainsaid, and
the inference seems inevitable that the hard
times have not fallen with so heavy a hand
on skilled wOrkmen az on their en-
ployers. A similar inference might also be
drawn, as to orr own State, from the increased
number of accounts and deposits in savings
banks, which is so considerable rs to Offset
Withdrawals of large sums which did not be-
long to the labOring classes. The Massachu-
sets report contains careful analysis of re-
turns from private employers and stock
companies, separating those two classes. The
object of the inquiry is to ascertain whether
it is true, as so often asserted, that
business is falling into the hands of
few, and is largely grasped by
soulless corporations. The figures do not
bear out the current notion. Corporations make
only a third of the goods manufactured, and
employ two-ifths Of the work-peOple; but have
nearly as much capital invested as the private
firms. 1t appears that the companies pay
smaller wages, but this may be due to differ
ences in the kind of employment. Stock
holders do not get as much apiece, by nearly
one-half the amount, as partners in private
firms do, for the annual profits of business.
The foregoing facts will form an important
contribution to future discussions on the sub
iect of capital and labor 1t cannot be said
that our working classes are special sufferers
when their employment Is increasing and theil
wages are not largely reduced, while the cos
of living IS materially less. But an exception
must be made to this general statement, in thu
case of unslkilled laborers, who undOubt
edly suffer more hardship as o class thar
usual. The outcry against the greed o.
corporations might be modified by consid
cring that the stockholders get poor return