The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-16
The Labor Problem as seen by Labor
ing Man.

Mr.. EDITOR. We hear so much talk
and see so much in print about protect
ing the laboring man, that it strikes
me the thing is rather overdone.
do not know any class of people
better able to protect themselves than
the laboring man. But do not think
that labor unions for the purpose of
forcing wages up to certain point
is the proper way to do it.
The price of labor, like farm pro-
ducts and manufactured articles, will
always be governed by the law of sup
ply and demand They who depend
upon others to find them employment
must be content to accept the wages
that employers are able or willing to
give. Capitalists are not willing 10 IN
vest money in business, unless there is
prospect of some profit over and a.
bove the amount expended for labor.
This will appear reasonable, when we
take into consideration the fact, that
they are always liable to meet with
losses. Hence if without accident there
is not prospect of some profit, there
is very good chance of being worse
off by doing business, than by lying
idle. When such is the case employ
ers will insist, and justly too, on re-
duction of wages or stoppage Of their
works.
Now l as laboring man, ask any
and every fair minded laboring man,
whether we cannot support our families
better on low wages than we can on nc
| wages?
The question admits of but one ans
wer. There is a possibility of wages
being so low that a man cannot sup.
port his family comfortably but such
is not the case at the present time. II
| is true that we cannot afford to ride il
a carriage, nor furnish our houses al
some of our wealthy men do ; but thes,
things are Injuries and not necessary
for either health or comfort. But, my
| fellow laborer, does not our failure Il
succeed in life arise from our desire Il
indulge in Inquiries? Do not many o
us spend enough for cigars aud beer
which if saved and prudently invested
might in few years secure us com
Portable home If this is the case i
not our poverty the result of our owl
prodigalityi With a little health,
and well directed economy might no
hundreds yea, thousands, of our labor
ing men be comparatively independ
ent
1t is no uncommon thing TO see EN-
ployees in various branches of industr
spending ten, fifteen ard twenty cent
per day for cigars or drink of som
| kind; and this amount is freauentl
doubled Now the man who spend
| fifteen cents each day aggregates a
outlay of over fifty dollars per yeal
This amount properly handled woul
in few years enable him to leave tina
class of laborers who depend upo
others for employment, and engage il
some business for himself.
If this theory were acted upon, tn
number of men seeking employmer
would be greatly diminished Thi
| would give those still in the ranks moi
steady employment with an increas
of wages. Therein consists the labor
/ ing mans power for self.protection.
And my fellow laborers, this wi
J prove far more effectual TO secul
r steady employment at living wage
than strikes, labor unions, or any fore
3 made use of to drive from the min,
4 or the shops those who are willing
work for less wages than we think v
e can afford.
While there are more men seekin
employment than the business of Il
, country demands, we must expect fir
3 a reduction of wages, then stoppal
7 of machinery and mining operation
, Capitalists will not construct machi
! cry, for which they can find no SALE