The record-union., 1894-02-12
THE SUBJECT OF LABOR AND WAGES :
Some Useful Lines of thought, and
Some Errors.
Professor Plehn's Fifth Lecture of the
University Extension Course
Now in Progress.

gave, at t EOreSter Hall, the H1th Oh nlS III
teresting and instructive lectures of the
University Extension course. his subject
being Labor and Wages"
This lecture, said Professor Plehn, is a
direct continuation of the one delivered
last week. The treatment of a subject of
so vast importance and of such size in
two short lectures may seem inadequate.
But the object of this course must be
held in mind and the different parts
given their just apportionment. At best
can suggest some useful lines of thought
and point out some errors.
The labor that we have to consider here
is any eXertion, mental or physical di-
rected toward an economic end. 1.-The
action of the mind on itself and on ma
terial things" says Rescher. 1t is not an
end in itself, but merely a means to an
end. Labor which is an end in itself, as
previously pointed out, is not part OF
economics.
The aim of all economic labor is the
creation of new utilities; the creation OF
material things is beyond the power Of
man. The form which the application OF
labor takes differs with the object in
view that is, with the kind of utility to be
created.
THE QUANTITY OF LABOR FORCE
Depends, besides, on the size of the popu-
lation and the health, strength and en-
ergy OF the laDorer las discussed last
week., also on the length of the working
day. Up to and little beyond the point
at which the energy and strength begin
to flag the increase in the hours of labor
will necessarily be followed by greater
production. Beyond that point the extra
exerlion may entail so much fatigue as to
actually diminish the product. 1t neces-
sarily is detrimental to the laborer.
Holidays, If not too frequent, and the
observance of one day in seven for rest
and recreation, are undoubtedly not the
cause OF decrease of the production, but,
on the contrary, often enable larger re-
suit TO be obtained. That is to say, the
quality OF the labor performed directly
influences the amount of the product.
The form, too, of industrial remunera-
ton often influences the output.
But aside from the question of the size
of The product, there are other better and
higher moral reasons why men should
not labor too long each day. Life is the
end of labor. not work the end and aim
of life.
Quite as important as any other factor
is the organization of industry. Adam
Smiths greatest service was, perhaps,
that he pointed out clearly the value OF
the division of labor. His illustration OF
this principle by an account of the many
different processes involved in making a
pin has become famous. Without that
DIVISION OF LABOR
a pin would be very expensive article.
But better system, hence greater effective
ness, is impaired to labor also by compo-
sition, the uniting of many persons in
one act. The benefits OF greater syslema-
tization of labor are many. Some of
them are u greater dexterity by long
practice in one line; (2) better utilization
of special abilities; (3) inventiveness; a.
economy of time; (5 saving Of waste OF
interest and insurance. But all the giant
industries of modern times require so
great a division of labor as to involve
many dark sides.
Some of these evils are the lack of di-
versity in the work mans life. Narrow
and monotonous, it becomes more irk-
some than is good for life and happiness.
A man bound down to one thing be-
comes incompetent and helpless if trans
ferred to another line. 1t puts into the
hands of the few the power to stop the
work of many. 1t fosters hostility OF
acts of workmen to others, and often
lessons their ability to contend with
opposing forces. Fortunately some
kinds OF work do not admit Of such sub
division.
AGRICULTURE, FOR EXAMPLE.
Wages-In this respect the problem has
two parts. First, How are the wages
paid? second, What determines the
amount? Under the fist we have to
study the different systems of wage pay
ment III vogue, but the test of fitness IN
each case should be, To what extent does
the pay received correspond to the work
done? Here the lecturer went into de-
tailed inspection of time wages, piece
wages, task wage, and the like. The ap-
plication of the cooperative principle in
such way that the employer buys the
labor of a self-organized group seems to
promise the best results for the future.
PROFIT-SHARING,
Which has often been applied very sue
cessfully, may be considered as one form
of wages system, known as progressive
wage. In SO far as the larger returns or
profits are the result of the laborer's zeal,
q part at least of them should go to the
laborer. But in principle it is wrong to
make the laborer's return depend to any
extent on the good or bad management OF
the business by his employer. He is, in
such a system, not sure of the return
actually earned by his extra zeal or skill.
The sweating system can invariably be
remedied by having the work done under
a foreman who is paid for his time and
does not make profit on the job.
CONCERNING WAGES.
In regard 10 the amount of wages
earned, or which should be paid, and
how the amount actually paid should be
determined, the lecturer said that no sat
isfactory theory had been formulated. II
is one OF the most unsettled fields of ecou-
tI,r n tod he
possibility of arriving at a satisfactory
theory. Many different answers have
been given.
The wage fund.- theory has been that
a certain amount of capital saved for the
support of labor determined the wage.
Simply sum in division. The amount
of capital set aside to pay labor divided
by the total number OF labcIers. The So
called iron law of Ricardo was that the
natural price of labor tended toward that
which would just support the laborers
and enable them to subsist, one with
another, and perpetuate their race, with
out increase or diminution.
This the lecturer characterized as hope
less. "Dismal indeed the science which
has such an answer to this fundamental
question:" That the laborer received the
remainder after the payment OF certain
fixed charges was characterized as an en-
tirely illogical explanation.
THE TRUTH
Will probably be found to lie in modi-
fication of Ricardo's theory. The stand
ard of life has much influence. Men must
have enough to sustain life, and they will
demand and obtain more, namely
enough to maintain themselves on par
with their fellows on the standard of life
to which they have attained.
Every factor which makes the laborer
a better man, which wakens him TO his
interests, which raises his self-respect
and self-reliance, make him more valu-
able man to society and increase his
product and hence his wages.
In conclusion, the lecturer said: "This
vast question, involving as it does the
welfare of our race, cannot be more than
stated in brief lecture. The final solu-