Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-15
WHIT IL MEMS.

The commercial agencies estimate
that the recent advances in wages af-
feet 10000 workers. 1t Is interesting
IA evidence of more prosperous condi-
lions and as to this the New York
Times says: "a moments reflection
brings into view the inevitable conse-
gucnces of an increase in the income
of millions Of persons. 1t augments the
retail purchasing power of the coun-
try 10 an enormous degree. only a part
of the increase Is added to the savings
fund. Much of it goes at once to sup
ply deferred wants, to purchase COM
forts and TO provide cniOymeniS and
Injuries. Trade will be increased and
the manufacturers will be pushed TO
the limit Of their capacity TO meet the
new demand. In the years that lie be
fore us production in this country will
far outrun the records of the most fruit.
full past years. Not only will the man
ufncturers be benefited by this aug
the country, but the agricultural pro.
ducers also. There will be a better
home market for the products of the
farm as well as for those of the mill
and the factory.
The American people consume more
per capita than the people of any other
nation. This is the greatest of the
worlds markets. We are nominally
Z 100000 people, but as Il market for
manufactures and food we are pyten-
TALLY 2~O0,0OO,OOO as compared with the
next best nation on the globe. \ dis
tinguished American statesman said II
few years ago: II confess to you that
this question of wages is to me the vital
question. To- insure our growth in
civilization and wealth we must not
only have wages as high as they are
now but constantly and steadily in
creasing. The question of wages is all
important as bearing Upon the qucs-
ton of consumption" All experience
shows this. 1t was conclusively al
tested during the recent years of de-
preston. The consumption of food
products materially decreased and the
falling off in the consumption of manu-
features was ever more marked. The
lowering of wages compelled the wage
II to practice the strictesb econ
lOmy and all producing interests were
u%nfavorably affected thereby. A re-
versal of this must result from the in
crease of wages. Millions of people
will be enabled to obtain n]eccssaries
and comforts of which they have been
compelled to deprive themselves for
several years and 1T would he difficult
to compute the extent to which this
will increase reproduction.
1t is a specially gratifying fact In
connection with the advance of wages
that it has come without conflict be-
tween labor and capital. In nearly
every instance the increase has been
is needless to say that the effect of this
upon the relations of employers and
employees is most wholesome. Hith-
erto labor has had to- make a fight for
an advance of wages. Now employers
in the great industries manifest, I'M
aSkcu, Il Willingness TO snare the pfOntS
of their business with their employees.
lit is n change that is significant and
gratifying.
There is no doubt that the increase
of wages is n sure indication that
good times have already come, but all
that it means for the future prosperity
of the country cannot be discerned at
this time. We can, however, be GER
tain hat it will contribute very greatly
to the general welfare.