The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-10

Both Observation-Disclosures
Justifles Demand for Proper Com
pensatfOn for Work Performed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Nov. 9.-The su-
preme council Of the American Equal
Wage union. recently Incorporated under
the laws Of Missouri, with headquarters
In Kansas City, today issued an address
to the wage-workers Of the United States.
The union was founded upon the belief
that to eradicate the practice Of paying
lower wages to the women for the same
work performed by men means to revolu-
ttonize the sociological conditions of the
country. It's main object is to secure JUS
tice for women who work for wages, to
protect children from unnecessary indus
trial servttude, and to discourage strikes
and moral persuasion. Extracts from the
address follow:
I'm an Industrial nation like this, where
vast majority Of the people are wage
workers. the value OF a days work bears
an intimate relation to the prosperity Of
the country, and for that reason becomes
matter OF supreme concern to all. When
wages are up times are prosperous. 1t Is
common mistake to regard increasing
dividends and activity In stock as reliable
indicators Of good times. The prosperity
that tllumes the cottage and the tenement,
and diffuses it's blessings among the poor,
Is the only genuine prosperity.
The heartless and unjust discrimina-
tions practiced by large employers Of
labor in almost every department of the
industrial world are prolific sources Of dis
content among working classes. All man
ner Of Ubiquitous schemes are deliberately
employed to reduce the wage standard
The American laborer is required to sub
nit to the unfair competition of men who
hold no hope in life above mere existence,
and the enslavement of women and chill
dren Is encouraged, that thereby the de-
mands Of men for fair wages might be
ignored. AS a consequence the Iaborer is
paid according to his necessity or his de-
fenselessness, and not according to the
work he performs. The importation of
pauper labor, or the pauperization of our
owa labor, are equally to be condemned.
EQUITABLE WAGES.
1.-THE wages of labor should bear some
equitable relation to the amount of brain
and muscle expended in its performance,
without regard to the age, sex, creed,
color or nativity of Iaborer
1.-THE current theory of the relations of
capital and labor must give place to one
that shall secure to the laborer fair, if
not full compensation for his toll. And
the methods of labor and capital with
regard to the enforcement of their re-
specttVe rights and demands must be re-
formed, and made to fit higher ideas and
a nobler standard of justice and civfIiza-
ton.
THE unnatural and indefensible con-
f1ict between labor and cApitaI must cease
Instead of assailing each other, pureI
purpose and a better civilization will d.
| rect united attack against the condi-
lions which now bind the employer as
well as the employed. Labor should know
and capital should learn that the highest
mission Of mankind is to make the world
happy.
MISREPRESENTATION being the first law OF
nature, the American laborer Is justified
in demanding compensation for his toll
sufficient in amount to provide for him al
least the common necessaries. 1t is not
only his right, but it Is his duty to pro-
test against the unbearable conditions i'm
posed upon him, and no one shall Justly
question his patriotism because he inter
poses defense against an evasion of his
rights.
1.-The American Wage union submits its
principles to the considerable judgment
of the country. and earnestly appeals to
the law-abiding of all classes to enlist
under it's standard
The address is signed by Richard D
United. States Senator Arthur Lyman
secretary, and seven other members OF
the supreme council.