The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-13
Productive Capacitv.

1t is more than ten years since the
clearer-s sighted among our manufac-
tuners discovered that their branch of
the industries had been so stimulated
by the prospective profits of the policy
OF fostering that capacity to produce
mad outrun capacity to consume. 1t
Was from them that the demand came
fer untaXed raw material in order that
they might make and send their prod
ucts out into foreign markets, and be
able to meet the competition there of
rivals whose materials were unburden-
ed. This condition had been brought
about largely by the constant invention
OF machinery, reducing the cost of pro-
duction by decreasing the labor cost
and increasing the output of the labor
used. Thirteen years ago it was assert
ed by John Sargent that the factories
of the country, running full time, could
produce in eight months all that the
consuming power of the country could
use in twelve months. The next step,
he said, must be either access to for
eign markets or a diminished activity
IT was not until 1894 that raw material
was relieved of any part of the tax
burden. and the result was soon shown
in the rise of our exports of manufac-
lures from Is to IS per cent of the en-
tire exports last year. and to 80 per
cent since last August
But machinery is not the only factor
in production. Behind the machine is
the man, and if the machine is not
worked to it's full capacity it is be-
cause the man is not fully employed.
During times of financial distress. those
periods of healthful reaction from
feverish energy we hear much of the
unemployed. But there is no time or
condition of trade when the productive
capacity of every one is fully utilized.
During the days of the boom in this
city, when all activities were strained
it was no uncommon sight to see
fringe of idle men around the place
where workers were laying the founda-
tons for some building In no con-
dition of the times, good or bad, can
enc fail to be impressed with the num-
Der Of fdlers met upon the streets. 1t
is not difficult to separate them from
those who are bent on business. Their
number is greater when panics dfmin-
ish the speed of the processes of pro
duction. but not nearly so much greater
as is portrayed. Carroll D. Wright says
that the panic of 1893 decreased the
general volume Of business only be-
tween and 10 per cent.
1t is interesting to speculate what
the conditions would be were every
person, capable of work, employed in
some gainful, productive occupation.
What would be the effect on wages, on
prices of products, on consumption?
What would be the sociological results?
The idler is a burden. He must be fed
and clothed and sheltered at some ones
cost. What would result from the
throwing off of this burden? And can
such a condition come? Have we reach
ed a passage of productiveness, through
the aid Of invention, when the idle must
increase in number, because what is
produced cannot be consumed? If one
man can make the same number of
shoes that five were required to make
formerly, must not four men go idle?
1t would seem so at first blush, but the
number Of employed has steadily in
creased as machinery has increased
productiveness.
Mr.. Wright has tried to draw from
the scanty statistics of the unemploy-
ed some conclusions that are interest
ing. After making all reasonable de-
auctions. he finds the number of I'M
employed in the leading lines of man