The record-union., 1894-03-06

such comprehensive consideration of the
question we must discover that if ma
chlne cuts short the demand for one kind
OF labor, it must augment the demand
for other kinds.
We concede, as already indicated, that
machine introduction does tend 20 lessen
the demand for the highest skill from the
skilled, but it is true that at the same
time it increases the capacity of the un-
skilled, gives then easier ways of doing,
and at the same time cheapens the pro-
duct they use. Take it in the case of boots
and shoes, and it will be seen how the
machine-sewed and pegged shoe lessened
the number of hand shoemakers, but it
augmented the product, so that more
shoes were demanded and cheapened the
product so that shoes could be more
worn. Thus the comfort of life was added
10, and the quantity and quality of the
product necessary to comfort increased.
SO true is this that to-day the poorest
home, as all the writers point out, has
some advantages of this order that prior
to the introduction OF machinery it did
not have, or it had only rude. clumsy and
not fully serviceable substitutes.
De Laveleye well says: Nothing con-
tributes more to the productiveness of
labor than the application to it of sci
ence." If this is true, we cannot under
stand how some of our contemporaries
occupy the position that they do-namely,
favor scientific advance, but check the
natural result of it, to wit: the economic
devices for speedier and better produc-
ton.
This seems to us the equivalent of de-
manding that science shall tell US how to
kindle fire without rubbing two sticks
together. but forbid US the use of the
match; teach US the value of Eliminates,
but cOnflne US to the flint-lock musket;
show US that pin is better, more serv-
iceable and cheaper, if struck by die
head and body from one piece of metal,
and at the same time insist that the head
shall be made separately and by hand, by
rolling around one wire another bit of
wire.
Science teaches how to produce steel,
TO make and temper a tool that will cut
way for US, or enable US to defend
against assault; but opposition to labor
saving machinery would logically restrict
US to the use of the stone hatchet of the
Indian, since its manufacture demands
more of human labor and longer time for
production.
Wherever improved machinery is most
used there is the highest state of civiliza-
tion-that is to say. all men are more
easily and better provided with the arti-
cles, utensils and food necessary to life;
a fact. by the way, which is not less than
a law among the political economists,
but which we observe not few of our
contemporaries are disposed to deny, be-
cause they limit their vision to narrow
sphere of present distress, and attribute
what they now see. to what appears to
them to be the most prominent cause.
The truth is that the tool and the ma
chine constitute capital, as DeLaveleye
put it, and as such they will always be
used as capital, reinforcing and aiding
that primary capital, human energy and
muscular output. This capital, then,
enables greater energy to be put
forth and gives it better direction,
at least earlier results and greater ones.
And this brings US back to the original
proposition laid down by all writers on
the subject, and accepted by all who OBJ
serve and think dispassionately, that
improvement in machinery multiplies
the product cheapens the price and
gives us better and more finished
product, and is, also, an incident of
discovery and of the development and
spread of human knowledge, that where
the most machinery is used the most
skilled workmen are employees; and vice
versa, as statistical history proves and
common observation to-day will confirm.