Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-08-23
WAGES IN 1870 AND 1905

WAGES IN 1870 AND 1905
one of the points which troubled
both Horr and Harvey in their recent
debate was the alleged increase in the
wages paid to employees ~ manufacture
ing industries between 1870 and 1890.
Mr.. Horr was sure that they had in
creased greatly, while Mr.. Harvey held
that they had decreased Holr based
his claim upon statistics prepared 10y
Mulhall, the English siatstician and
he showed that the average annual
wages have increased from S2SS in 1870
to 1863 in 1890 Muhall is usually
supposed to be reliable, but in this case
he differs materially from the eleventh
census report and alse from the report
that any laborer will make who has
been working for wages since 1870.
Had Mr.. Mulhall looked into the re-
port of the eleventh census, regarding
the veXed question of wages, he would
have found the following information;
In comparing industrial statistics for
1880 and 1890, it should be borne in
mind, as stated by the superintendent
of census, that radical changes have
and scope of inquiry as in the method
of presentation.
In the form of inquiry used in the
eleventh census, respecting labor and
wages. the classified occupation and
wage system was adopted. Officers or
firm members engaged in productive
labor or supervision of the business con-
stitute one class. for which the wages
reported are those which would be paid
10 employees for similar service.
Had Mr.. Mulhall examined previous
census reports he would have learned
how radically the repors of 1890 diff
fer in form and scope" from those OF
preceding decades. In no previous
census was the value of the services Of
the employer and officers and clerks If
corporations included in the wage ac-
count. In the eleventh census GS9O
we find them included TO the number
of l6t .O09. with services valued at 1891 -
9SS.20S, and averaging $3.50. nearly
double the average wages of operatives
proper. Deducting officers and en-
ployes from the number of operatives
and the estimated value of their seryice
from the wage account, and we have
an average of earnings per operative of
S442, instead $4Sj, rs shown by Null
hall, and Sl27 less than stated by Mr.
Horr. This, however. does not fully
show the misleading character of Mul-
halls figures, for there are other radi-
cal differences between the earlier and
later census reports.
1t might be stated, both for the in
formation of Mr.. Mulhall and the pub
lie, that a more accurate source of in
formation than the eleventh census or
any other report, is the experience of
laboring men who have been engaged
in one trade for twenty years. The
devices of the census taker and the
statistician are many, but the working
man knows better than any one else
whether his wages have increased. 1t
is easy for the MN of figures to show
that his wages have been raised, but he
feels better ,ltstied when he has the
money in his pocket.
II j. unfortunate that the actual fig
ures for 1890 aud 1875 are not obtain
able for comparison. While wages are
being compared this would be an in
teresting test to make. Then the beau
ties of the great Cleveland adminiStra-
ton would be demonstrated beyond a
doubt But it i not necessary To turn-
ish long columns of statistics to show
the laborer the relative condition Of his
wages in 1890 and 1895. He knows by
that aching void in his pocket.--Sagi-
nav Courer-ierald.