The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-05-14
ELKTON. MAY IA. 1892.

AN ingenious Pennsylvania be-
lieves that he has found a solution
of the labor problem in a plan for
the establishments of Tabor unit"
or measure OF labor.
His enthusiasm and the efforts he
has used to bring the idea to the
notice of those best understanding the
conditions OF the labor question are
good to see and worthy OF all praise;
but it appears that the key to the
puzzle has not been found yet. The
plan suggested by the Pennsylvania
bears the evidence of having been
thoroughly studied out, and, SO far
as it goes, is most excellent. The
idea is to establish a measure of
labor, just as we already have meas
ures OF space, of weight and OF time
The inventor would in this case
make labor ''inch," or Second" a
labor ounce" in fact, a combina.
ton OF the three, expressing their
relations so far as they enter into
labor as factors. He does not give
a name to the unit he fixes on, but
explains its scope and character
when he says it shall be sixty pounds
OF good" flour or its equivalent.
This he would have adopted by the
country as the measure of a mans
daily work. The laborer by his plan
would work so many sixty pounds
of-fiour a day, and would be paid, it
is to be supposed. accordins to the
market value of "good" flour at the
time Of payment. So far the idea
is at least logical. Some regular
measure Of labor applicable to all
kinds and conditions OF work is GER
tainly most desirable. Unfortunately,
however, we here have only another
disconnected link in the chain OF
ideas on this subject. Progress has,
perhaps, been made; but even so far
the advance can not be utilized be-
cause there is nothing to connect the
new with the old.
The labor problem demands as
one method OF its solution some
practical and equitable unit of meas
ure. This is supplied by the plan
we cite; but the application of the
unit to that which it would measure
is not explained. In fact Its logical
application apparently is not to be
found with all our hunting. How is
it to be determined how many sixty
pounds Of "good"-four's worth OF
work any man has done? The
thing is impossible in its present
shape at any rate. Each man would
want different relation of the labor
unit to his work. The factors of
time, skill and care would all be
fitted to the question and made to
give conflicting results. Every man
would regard the worth of his work,
as he does now, in proportion as his
brain or his muscles had been exer-
cised in its execution. The conten-
ton would not be simplifed one jot
or title. Who would determine
these questions, supposing a lair
decision was possible? No, one;
and the difficulties presented are
insuperable under existing condi-
tons.
At the same time, however. there
is considerable of good sense in the
idea contained in this plan. The
solution of the labor problem may
be taken to mean any number OF
things; but, taking it TO mean an
equitable payment of labor. a pay
ment which would show no dis
elimination except in the mat,
ter OF actual worth, the pro-
position to adopt some uni
Aersal unit to the value of labor is
not irrational. At present it seems
impracticable, because of the reasons
we have given. The plan may be
put down in its existent shape as the
product of theoretical reasoning
alone; but the methods which have
led to the formulation of that pro.
position contain not a little of the
practical, and the idea in another
form may yet prove to be OF value.