Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-09

the expenditure of large amount OF
money, great changes and additions in
the automatic line had been ineorpor-
ated into their shops, and he informed
me that the company was now able to
turn out 1000 tons per day where before
it had turned out only 800 tons, and
this without any additional labor what
ever. He also stated that in many
instances where formerly men of great
skill were required, now the work might
be done by person of only average in
telligence. He said that one of the diff
ticulties presenting itself was the de-
mand of the laborers that prices should
be raised bearing some proportion to the
output. But he declared that this the
manufacturers would never consent to.
THE QUESTION OF WAGES.
Assuming, for'the sake of argument,
that the wages paid in this country are
greater than the compensation awarded
elsewhere, nevertheless, this circum-
stance affords no reason for the endorse
ment of the Mckinley bill, or the pro-
tective policy of the Republican party.
have examined the Mckinley bill in
vain, for the purpose of finding any tar
if' upon labor. There is nothing to pre-
vent the German, French or English
skilled laborer from coming to the
United States and offering his services
at any of our factories. There are, in
deed, alleged laws against the importa-
ton of pauper labor. There are statu-
tory provisions inhibiting the coming
OF laborers or artisans under contract.
But there is nothing to prevent any for
eigner who is not pauper, and who
possesses, either by reason of his ability
or circumstances, the means of main
tanning himself, from landing in the
United States and pursuing such lawful
avocation as his inclinations may sug-
gest. Therefore, we are certainly justi-
fed in declaring that the foreigner is
our competitor in the matter of labor at
the door OF every mill and factory within
the limits of the republic.
AS the Mckinley bill does not exclude
or prevent this competition, and as the
exclusion or prevention of foreign COM
petition is declared by the Republican
party to be the only means of guarding
domestic industry, it follows logically
and conclusively that the Mckinley bill
affords absolutely no protection to labor.
Our friends declare, however, that
wages being higher in the United States,
that such result is necessarily attributa-
BILE to Republican fiscal legislation.
With equal force, with like logic, and as
a result of kindred intellectual effort,
they declare that the productiveness OF
our soil, the beneficial character of our
seasons, is attributable to Republican
legislation, accomplished under the
To- 1f -
blocks of five fame; tine celebrated re-
former Platt, of New York, and the
other distinguished gentlemen who have
prided themselves on their ability to
"fry the fat" out OF our protected indus
tries.
The remarks which l have already
quoted from Mr.. Farqubar are sufficient
to explain the difference in wages. The
orator or the writer who will assert that
under similar legislative policy wages
ought to be the same in California and
in an older country, would endeavor to
maintain proposition too absurd for
serious comment. New countries, ma
tions of recent development, lands not
yet overstocked by humanity, not SUBJ
ject to the competitions OF modern civil
ization, present greater natural activity,
more extended fields for development,
more opportunities, more inducements
some apparent and others real-for the
investment of capital and toll, than
localities which have been virtually
worked out, which have for centuries
been subject to contending human
forces, weakening their capabilities and
exhausting their resources. Thus. in
this state sin the days of 49," wages
were extremely high; artisans of all
classes received superlative compensa-
tion; the productions of the soil-wheat,
barley, flour, potatoes, ETC., commanded
almost fabulous prices. These condi-
tions existed regardless of any tariff.
They were due to forces over which leg
islative bodies had but moderate con-
troll.
THE LESSON OF THE RECENT STRIKES.
Resort to force is never justified, even
though wrong exists, and hence no
man should justify an overt act of dis
turbance, however great the grievance,
unless the circumstances are such as to
clearly justify it within we'll settled
rules.
The recent Homestead strikes, which
attracted the attention of the world,
occurred in the midst of the most highly
protected region of the United States |;
occurred in mills in which the most
noted protectionist of the United States
was large owner; occurred in a busi-
ness which has been for years an enor-
nous beneficiary of tariff legislation.
The difficulty eliminating in this up
rising is now pretty well understood.
There was difference of opinion be-
tween the owners and the en-
ploye as to the reasonable
ness of the wages to BIZ paid, and also
with reference to other details. The
employe demanded that his wages
should bear some proportion to the out
put-largely increased because of the
discovery and application of automatic
machinery. The employer denied this,
and claimed that, on the other hand,
the use of automatic machinery dis
pensed with human skill, and that as
far as the high priced laborers were con-
cerned, the pay roll should be reduced.
Here is an object lesson. The iaborer
stood unprotected. He thumbed the
Mckinley bill in vain, to find within it