Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-09-15
WAGES ARE HEAVIER
TEXT OF NEW YORK LABOR CON-
MISSIONER PECk'S REPORT.

An Investigation Designed to Expose the
Weaknesses of the Mckinley Tariff Law
Has Precisely the Opposite Effect--A
Political Boom erang.
Charles F. Peck, commissioner Of
labor for New York state, has issued his
annual report. A large part is devoted
to figures of interest in relation to the
tariff. In order to prove whether "pro-
tection," as advocated by one political
party, or tariff for revenue only" would
prove of advantage, statistics have been
gathered to show in every industry in
the state the increase or decrease of pro-
duction and comparative increase or de-
crease in wages. Mr.. Peck says:
"The period covered by investigation
includes the year Immediately prior to
the enactment of what is termed the
Mckinley bill and the year immediate
ly following its becoming law. That is,
the data upon which the report has
been made was for the year commerc-
ing Sept. l, 1899, up to and including
Aug. 81, 1890, and the year commencing
Sept /, 1890, up to and including Aug.
81, 1891.
1.-THE methods employed to secure the
necessary data were almost entirely
those Of the blank system. 1t was not
the original purpose, nor is it now pre-
tended, that the data and statistics pre-
sented present any but purely wholesale
manufacturing establishments. To have
undertaken to cover the retail and Gus
tom manufacturing establishments of
the state would have been physical
and financial impossibility. Some 5000
blanks were addressed and mailed to as
many separate establishments through.
out the state, and of this number 5000,
or 70 per cent, were returned--fully and
correctly answered.
"From the tables it appears that there
was net increase in wages of $6,377,-
925O9 in the year 1901 as compared
with the amount paid in 1890, and net
increase of production of $31 ,315, $780, 68
in the year 1891 over that of 1890. A
simple analysis of this table further
demonstrates the interesting fact that
of the sixty-seven industries covered II
per cent. Of them show an increase
either of the wages or product, or both
and that there were no less than S9,7lT
instances of individual increases Of
wages during the same year.
while the industries are but sixty
seven in number the total trades repre-
sented amount to 1921, and give en-
ployment to 295,000 workingmen and
women. Of the sixty-seven industries
included rs per cent. of them show an
increased average yearly earning in the
year 1891, while the total average in
crease of yearly earnings of the 1856, 900
employees was $23.11. The average in
crease of yearly earnings of the en-
ployees in the fifty-one trades showing
an increase was $43.96 in 1891 as com,
pared with 1890.
Sin addition to the investigation of
this special subject the bureau has con-
tinued its annual investigation of all
labor disturbances occurring in the state
during the past year. The total number
of strikes reported for the year 1891 was
4,519 as against 6,25S occurring in the
year 1890, a decrease of 1889. Of the
total number, 4,519, 1915 or SO per cent.
of them were in the building trades, a
fact that seems to follow in natural Sc.
quence the results obtained in the special
investigation of the effect of the tariff
on labor and wages"
The report closes as follows: at has
been my experience, as l doubt not il
has been that Of every statistician, more
or less, that one often fines himself
tempted, unconsciously perhaps, to pur.
sue an investigation with view to
establish preconceived theory. How
often failure and positive discontinue
follow can safely leave to those who
have engaged in the fascinating study
Of statistics.
ITO the true statistician, however
uninfuenced by social or political con
siderations, the profession is an enviable
one and carries with it duties and re-
sponsibilities of the highest order. Tt
him theories are as nothing; without
facts to support them they become mis-
leading and therefore worthless. Facts
and truth are what he seeks, and having
possessed himself Of them he places
them, hard and cold as they oftentime'
are, before the public, satisfied that he
has done but his duty and thereby at
tanned his highest ambition"