The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-03

| stability in the mint of exchange value
and freedom from interference in seeking
or selecting employment and freedom in
the use of the wages. This latter taxes
| in free tTade.
seound-Productiv power of the wage
Garner.
Third-Con petition.
Given the maximum benefits of the first
and second conditions, the third becomes
un;mportant in society recruited by its
own reproductive power. In America
| thus far the effect OF competition has
been unfavorable to high wages only
| from immigration. A full examination
of this interesting and generally misun-
derstood question of competition is not
possible at this Etime. 1t is sufficient to
point out that Increased production of
! the individual creates corresponding in
| crease in the material standards OF life,
and eventually the substitution OF these
| for religious standards, and that such in
creased standards retard or prevent m ar-
| riages and continually lessen the birth
rate TO point where the population dl-
mnishes by excess OF deaths over births.
The industrial disadvantage of a dimin-
ishing population tends to diminution
of wages. AL previous civilizations
have been exterminated by the working
of this rule. AS our vital statistics show
| that with the rapid substitution OF high
material standards for the old spiritual
I standards of religion has occurred pro-
| gressive di mnGtlOn OF the birth rate, so
| we may presume that injurious compe-
tltion of wage earners from excess OF
| population out of our own loins is not
| to be antici pated.
No industrial wage can be paid in ex-
cess of the productive power of the Dor
err. No industrial wage will be paid that
is not sufficiently in excess of the pro-
duct of the laborer TO compensate the
risk capacity and labor of industrial
management.
A fundamental necessity of high per
capita wages is high per capita product.
Low per capita product can only receive
low per capita wage. Artificial may
affect the tirst' but they cannot overcome
the second.
thus, in America, the very high. per
capita productive power is reflected in
the comparatively high wages in the free
industries, while the unfavoraple effects
of restrictive taxation and handicap
ing of industry by tariffs and bounties
lis shown in the less certain and lower
wages generally in the protected indus
tries. The lower standard OF wages In
the protected industries in America COM
pared to the free industries. is also most
affected by the importation or immigra-
ton of men of lower life standards from
other countries.
use the word free industries, though
SUTlCtly speaking HO lTee really
exists under the industrial slavery of
protective tariff. What l mean is indus
tries like brick laying or grain harvest
ing, that are not pensioneu or bOuntied
from an enforced contri bution of public
taxes.
ceive that low wages in other countries
ought to be accompanied by low per
capita national product.
This is the fact.
And that high wages here or nywhere
else ought to be accompanied by high
per capita product.
This is also the case.
The highest per capita producing ma
tions nay the highest wages, and the
lowest per capita producing pay the low
est wages.
Wages in ons country, then, can only
assimilate with those in another when the
conditions are the same in both. While
the two main conditions named rem ain
what they are in. China and America
their different rates of wages cannot af-
feet wages paiu in either. Free trade be-
tween them will raise the wage result in
both and can by no possibility rednce it.
Upon the Malay coast is the free port of
Singa pore upon the Chinese coast the
free port of Hongkong. In these two free
ports wages are higher and the condition
of the wage workers better than in any
of the surrounding low wage districts.
ing with cheap wages people does not
bring down wages. Quite to the con-
trary it brings them up. The increased
per capita productive power of the world
IS due to increased knowledge. Increased
knowledge is acquired by labor and study
in which time is the essence of the con-
tract. The preparation for the high
grade of Intelligence which is an essen
tial of our hign psr capita production
requires a large amount of time: The
really well-prepared individual in our
| civilization must have a higher wage
| while he works to secure and pay or his
preparation. If he does not receive an
adequate wage for this his successors and
dependents cannot prepare. cannot know
| and must lose in per capita producing
power. 1t follows that cheap men import
| ed to country are danger and an eco
nomic error in the long run. 1t is also
clear from the consideration SIX etched
| that so long as country keeps up It's
standard of practical knowledge its pro-
dnctive per capita power will be main
tanned. AS long as its per capita pro-
ducing power is maintained its wages
will be maintained. and SO long as cheap
| outsiders are not imported or allowed to
come in all citizens. even to the siupl est
manual routine work, will share in the
general advantages OF the high per capita
product. Protection diminishes an es-
sential element in the condition No. |, in
that it limits the purchasing power OF
the wages. 1t consequently reduces wages
and can do nothing else.
Free trade can only be an advantage to
all concerned. Good harbors that facili-
tate trade Care distinct advantage ia
any country. So are goud roads, good
government and low taxes. Those inter-
ested in having high wages in America
are not those who seek protective boun-
ties. The bountied Pacific Mail en-
ployed Chinese sailors, the bountied coal
barons of Pennsylvania employed Huns
with brass tags sewed on their backs for
easy bookkeeping. and go it goes.
A more practical education, the intro
duction OF industrial training improved
hygienic conditions. reforms in politics
and government, securing better service
at less cost. and, above all, an honest,
prompt and equal enforcement of law,
These Things, with private privileges in
taxes dethroned and free exchange for free
men in free country in its place, ana
we may hope for better results than the
world has seen. AS Mr.. Barrows says, a
newspaper is bard place to tackle gro
lection in. but 1t cas- do no harm to fire
a load or two of bird snot into the pr tee
ton flock. l rejoice. anyway. tn; y. r.
Barrows is with me against prohiu..ye
protection to shipping and against d.
rect hountieS to either rich or DOOR.