Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-26
Prosperous Laborers.
IBy Carroll d. Wright

a
IBy Carroll ID. Wright
One year ago all inquiries as to wages
and prices indicated beyond question
that never in the history of the country
were wages so high, while prices, altho
on the whole higher than at previous
periods, had not advanced at the same
pace that accompanied the advance in
wages. In fact, upon many articles
prices had fallen, especially relative to
those prevailing during the two preced-
ing years. Speaking broadly, then, the
relative purchasing power of money at
this time in 1900 was higher than it ever
had been. High wages alone indicate
prosperous conditions, but when prices
remain practically stationary while
wages advance the real wage is assured
and the economic condition Of labor es-
itablished.
During the last year this satisfactory
condition has been maintained. To
be sure. there have been fluctuations in
trade and production, but these fluctua-
tions have not been sharp and severe to
such an extent as to disturb general
conditions. The volume of production
has steadily increased. Wages here and
there have been reduced slightly to meet
the reduction in orders in some lines
Comparatively speaking, the volume OF
production has enabled employers to
keep labor employed up to the best linz
its of prosperous times and SO fully that
we hear but little of the army of unem-
ployed. The constant expansion CT our
foreign trades means the extension OF
all our industries and this means good
wages and fairly constant employment.
Many have thought that the preva-
ilence of strikes during the last two
years means the decadence Of industry.
On the contrary, as has been pointed out
SO many times, strikes are more FREE
ouent during good times than when In
dustry is depressed. This is natural ana
logical. The great steel strike In Penn
sylvania ought not to be considered as q
discouraging element in production, for
1T is not the result of grinding condi-
tons or of grievances real and fancied;
ard had times been dull and orders
scarce 1t would not have taken place.
Strikes succeed when business is brisk
to a far greater extent than when 1t is
depressed.
Looking the field over broadly, and
considering the fluctuations that must
accompany industry at all times, 1t is
safe to conclude that comparatively the
labor situation now Is more satisfactory
than 1t was year ago. We can not
row-at once-secure the statistical da-
ia to sustain this conclusion; but we
have the data to show clearly that one
year ago, as stated, the relative pur-
<,f yy.pc rac
had then reached the very highest mark
in the economic history of the country,
and it is certain that nothing has oc-
CURED since then to destroy that condi-
ton; while, on the other hand, much has
been done in the way of expanding in
dustry, and so much that the conclusion
is warranted that now the situation Is
even better than it was a year ago. The
constant Increase In the mechanical In
dustries in the southland there can be
on doubt of this-is a sure proof of con-
tinued prosperity.
The increased volume of exports Of
manufactured products is convincing
evidence of remunerative employment.
The most satisfactory evidence, howev-
.er, lies in the fact that. notwithstanding
the numerous strikes of the present
year, employers and employees are COM
Ing nearer and nearer together. They
are taking more and more pains to nn-
derstand the real conditions of produce
ton, and this effort is leading to more
peaceful conditions everywhere. When
great strike can take place and not be
based on grievances the industrial world
must be advancing to higher plane,
where principles only are to be consld-
afad -