New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-28

III
in 1910 were 81 Gay for thirteen hours work; in 1850
they had doubled, and Ia 1865 nearly 81 now
wages have fallen to about 81, the same as in loOO
with ten hours work day. The effect Of the introdue-
ton Of machinery upon the trade has been to improve
the shoes, and TO increase the working capacity OF
aborer about IS per cent The effect upon the wormen
has BET to improve them intellectually The question
to-day lis the kind Of work and the wages to be paid
rather the Of work If the people Of Massa-
cusets were driven IT, the soil Of that State would
empty support s entire populaon 1t has ceased TO be
agricultural State because manufacturing has become
more profitable than filling the soil"
Mr. Hewitt-Is there any difficulty IN men rising from
the rank Of employee that Of employerl Ain 1910
there were in Worcester four firms Of shoe manufacture
er consisting seven persons OF these only one died In
comfortable circumstances In 1850 there were sixteen
firms consisting eighteen only two OF these re-
tired with capital, four have failed, and only TWO are
engaged In the business In 1860 there were
twenty-one firms, consisting Of twenty-nne men two
have gone Of the business with capital, twelve
have failed, and only five are now manuac-
tUreFs. To-day there twenty-One firms, con-
sstng Of forty Of these, only five are the sons OF
manufacturers and only has not been worker Tor
wages. There was time when 1t was more easy
for jOurneyman to rise TO the rank of manufacturer
than now; workman of established character ana
known ability has no difficulty in obtaining credit. The
failures have been caused chiefly by investing money
outside the business, and then drawing money out CT
the business to protect the investments TW0thrds OF
the wOrkmen 1 nave known have saved money, and a
large proportion Of those living the country own their
houses and land larger proportion OF the work
ingmen than Of the manufacturers, since 1870 have
ended their days or are now living in competence.
have never known industrious temperate workman,
except in The OF some calamity Ike sickness who
in comfortable circumstances. do not believe
that any works so hard and continuously as the
iZatlOn great Of capital should be controlled
by certain men; Vanderbilt in building railroads Aston
IN hen d
Eeye il impossible that society can prOsper unless there
is o desire on part of to get in life and aeon
nuate property laws should be enacted TO protect the
weak The strong take care OF themselves the whole
Industrial class if they only he shown how.
Mr. Rice-When first knew you you were working
aid YOU have TO work tho hardest Al should be
sorry to give up the luxuries to which have become
accustomed, but would be gad to pay h'ndsome sum
10 be relieved from more tnan ten hours work
Mr. Hewit-In speaking of the necessity OF the accu-
mutation OF property Tor social prosperity you do not
exclude from the number Of those who ala lu
lives in study or teaching aud have no desire 90 accum
late prOperty9 A.-No. I think that sucn men as
correct view Of the matter when they looked upon the
property OF their friends their own 10 certain ex-
tent in order that they might the better carry on thelr
work II is the duty of the capitalist 10 endOw COLLEGES
and contribute TO all Institutions for the benefit OF
The OF society never so near together
now. On ther surface there seems TO be more cor
ruption than formerly; but think corruption touched
bottom when you had Tweed m New-York; he repre-
scented the moral tone Of the country ana would be I'M
'@ THE TARIFF QUESTION.
In answer TO questions by Mr.. Hewitt, Mr. Walker
said "There is export OF leather from this
try but Of boots and shoes have all VIC do
to supply wants Of the people here and cannot
pete with other countries when wages are about two
thirds Of those paid here where women and children
employed aud factory can be run, In England,
IS per cent of The productions Of tue
English factories out Of market By the tariff
when acts exactly ike a law regulating the hours OF
llltD I were
goods under unul we lowered our wages
or Increased our hours OF work American goods are
also adapted all goods are TO the market in
fa 10 protect labor in the production OF all things
which soil aud climate enable us 10 produce, with
little expenditure OF labor as Is required IN other c0un-
tries"
Mr.. Hewitt-If the tariff makes tine goods cost mOre
what good does 1t 40 10 tue aOorer as whole, VINO Is
also tine consumer A-The tariff affects only single
class of the goods: the cheap goods watch the million
not MAGE higher. There Is scarcely anything
made in tins country OF which more cannot be bought
by days wages Of labOrer, than can be bought by
days wages Of the labOrer IN England TINS rate OF
wages is Kept up by the tariff and the ability OF Eng
lana produce cheap goods mas been created by pro-
teCtlOn in the past.
Mr.. Hewitt asked If ne favored the introduction
Of the Postal Savings Bank and Life Insurance
systems OF Great Britain, INTO this county, as a
means Of protecting the weak. Mr.. Wright SAID that he
ana favor the direct interference Of the GOYernmeD
IL should be indirect man might as vel hang him
sutuuOns because we have a little ache justnOw
Mr.. HewItt-Wnat shall we do with tDs surplus pop
ulatiOn A.-Let ZEN alone; tuats ali, and IN very
snort tme tne thing Will right itself.
n.
work. A-Ihcn tlry leland they tel the truth III
d SAD fact that individuals without work, and are
suffering; they must be taken care OF for time; and
venture 70 say that III one year tneIe VII DC very low
wiling 10 work and unable 10 do So thlnk there are
not many men looking i0r work IN THIS August 1873
as in any August from 1910 to 1850.
Mr.. Hewitt agree with you, ana yet the country
then enjoyed the highest protective tariff IL ever had
Mr. Rice asked about convict labor NJ. Walker said
and ali arguments against It would hold equally well Ia
favor Of breaking machines to protect hama labor
THE PANIC AND lis CAUSES
Alanson " Beard Collector Of the Port OF Boston,
the next witness He sad have been engaged IN the
manufacture Of clothing for the last twenty-five years,
and have been familiar with the relations between cap
ta and labor. The present depression in business Is
due chiefly to extravaganza, both IN business aud pri-
vate expenditure, OF means obtained on credit. All
bn.ness in this country Is carried on upon basis
capital and credit combined ana failure 20 pay by one
debtor iarreachIng IN ITS results, and may extend
fhron many enterpr SEES One effect OF the
produce demand labor, which checked emigration
10 agricultural regions ana Absorbed HOOfcis III lc
ctes Ihen reaction Sci n the OyerstOcked
while the agricultural regions still had and
demand for aboreTs- The demand for goods was Kept
up a the close OF war by the necessity Of
the returned soldiers outfits OF Clothes hats,
boots, shoes. etc. The following sumner low water
prevented many mills from running on iuI Tune, mus
keeping up the demand; III tine Following year prices De
gan fail The crisis of 1873 was due 20 me collapse OF
railroad and real estate speculatiOns, which Impaired
credits caused people TO reduce expenses ana stop Dy
ing. TnIs extended the crisis 10 the mercantile and
manufacturing classes VINO began 10 leei severely IN
1874 and 1879 Tie collapse was also aided by the
destruction OF property at Chicago ana Boston IN 1871
and 1872"
'Bgsiness is now steadily improving" continued the
Witness there IA more money invested III tDe ciOilnS
business Boston now and the sales Tor 1873 WIZ be
greater than in 1860 wnen the eastern cities had the Gu
tire West market This due 10 the fact That the
people dress better than Them the wages OF the DOrcf
have larger purchasing power There Is larger per-
oentage OF the mercantile class out oil employment than
OF any class aud their case Is the most hopeless
they are generally Of middle age, who are untitled
for any other fe Another class OF laborers OF whom
have mention in the reports OF tne testimony
before this committee consists OF female help, dOmes-
TICS IN families. Their have doubled since 1860
aud American girls Will not take service. Go INTO the
country have 10 take your help from the CITY
In my own BUSINESS used 10 employ American grlsi
now employ foreign help Iremember when farmers
u md In