The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-14
A PARADISE FOR LABOR,

Japanese ornaments and toys. once the
chief attractions OF an Oriental store. are
fast taking a place subordinate to me-
chanioal devices and objects of utility.
Nothing can keep them out under tho
present law. Storekeepers however pa
triouc and alive TO tho inevitable eonse-
quences are compelled by competition to
put Japanese goods before their custom
srs. Five-cel.t tooth brushes. which pass
muster with those made In this country
and retailing at 90 cents. ara "a common
but sufficient example OF the inroais "A
new industry Is making upon our home
manufacturer
II Is no trining matter. A report just
made to the commissioner 81 labor says
that tho ancient system OF household labor
Is being rapidly overturned In Japan by
tho Introduction OF modern methods and
machinery. and factories are being erect
ed In all parts Of the empire. The exports
OF Japan have been Increased from as
toa.c0 TO Se5oo.cco in ten years. and the
greater part OF tho Increase has been with
in the past three years. Nearly half OF
rho total quantity IS taken by the United
States. Compared with the volume Of
American commerce. $500 go is an In
significant amount. bat the same story Is
told all along the lire
The genius OF the japanese seerns 20 he
FOR imitation. They can take a piece OF
complicated mechanism and reproduce II
e. a..
This faculty Is likely 10 develop into i'm
provement. slmpliheation ani SIN greater
economy In production. To this s. 20 lie
added as a factor In the maintenance O;
low priccs the pauc3ty OF thu wages raid.
The highest wages are earned by superior
porcelain artists, who receive = cents per
day. and the loves, u cents day, paid 10
tea firing women. Blacksnlths sei 50
cents a day; carpenters. 20 cents. COM
positors. - cents; dycrs. a. ordinary la
borers. u. wood saNyers. -. farm hands.
sl.ii month.
The report says that though wages are
low nobody Is poor. aai that the people
are sober. Industrious and economic Al. .
We know az no conditions more likely 20
promote economy than wages as low as
these. Even "a American NOTTINGHAM
iutShi want TO he "eccncInicai'' on 50
coufs day. printers would have a strong
induccnacnt TO permsucn; and uuinterr-ipt-
a sehricty en- y cents a day. and u dyer
wctl3 have 90 be az industrious as tho
white slaves 81 Eastern sNcatshopS 20 lay
Up anything gor ola axe on 81 cents a day.
rhls IS one - those glorious free silver
countries. whore. as in Mexico. Ruigsrie
ana china. tho people are all prosperous
ana coutcutei
No forcisucr Is allowed e engage IN rnsn-
ufarturinE 10 japan outside ~ trraty ports.
bar when thu ncw TREATIES 80 bate tgc-i In
lsa the productive power Ntn ~ iateasi-
fca. and tho variety IS, mechanical eater
Prise - extended. The Jaranese already
Supply themselves Attn fo1d ana clothins
and soon they viii - Shlr 20 provide cV-
er,fhlng thoN need for their own use. sr.3
all they ucet a. Auyis raw material rrir-
e'pauy coitca ari iroa. The machinery
they hay reW they NgH soou - able % tipit-
cate unrestricted a. f,Ars OF patent rights,
ana flee FROM the iul9ost ~ rryai'ies
When tho new treaties 50 into s1ec;