New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-11
HAGES IND PRIZES

Many recent Ia Dor controversies have been
based on the contention that wages have not
risen as rapidly as prices, and that the yorker
Is consequently justified in demanding better
pay. If this hypothesis were sound ii would he
By no means certain that wage carriers were
entitled TO more money because the .,ost e liv-
ing had been enhanced. since much of fhe rise
in prices has been due to poor crops and the
curtailment of production by other labor dis
pUtes, which certainly do not increase the net
profits of employers. But is it a fact that wages
on the whole have not risen in proportion to the
higher level of commodity prices? Definite
figures are available as to the latter, but it is
obviously more difficult to obtain representative
statistics Of wages. According TO Dun's index
number the rise in the cost of living lor the
FIVE years ending with July l was 40 per cent
comparison being made between the lowest
point on record and the highest point of recent
years. AS these statistics are based upon prices
proportioned 10 consumption the result is in
structive since each commodity is considered
with due regard for its relative Importance
According to the best authorities wages are
now at the highest point ever recorded This
general statement alone should suffice. since il
is well known that prices are about on the same
level as they were ten or twelve years ago and
consequently the consumer is in a better no.
sition than during previous times of prosperity
Hence, comparison with the period Of greatest
depression is unfair since it is probable that
wages did not decline in the same ratio os
prices This brings up the vital factor in tho
discussion which IS overlooked bv many in their
efforts to explain by figures wherein the yaaa
Garner Is now more prosperous It WAS asti
mated by labor experts during the period Of in
dustrial depression that the army of nner,,-
ployed numbered three millions. To-day M ono
is idle who is willing TO work Even if the
three millions who were idle at the earlier date
now only average 81 day, their percentare
OF increase is inhnity. Instead Of drawing
out their little savings. or being SUMMARIZED bv
other more fortunate workers or livfno On +ba
charity of phianthropists. this vast army is
now self-supporting and self.resnac+in, 1,,o
worker who was then employed and shared his
earnings with less successful ra1a+i,-os ~
friends is now able TO spend such ner+ o4 hi. IN
come as he pleases on bis Immediate family o,s
add to the deposits in savings banks
Nomlnally. wages may not average o5 nor nan.
more than they were five years 400 ol+boroh
most kinds or skilled labor command ~ nov oo,.
more, and extensive reduction in bonrs hoe
given more ume for recreation. In this resnect
alone progress has been wonderful esneciaIlv
in contrast with conditions in Grea+ Rrf+oin
where according TO an official report lust tssued
the average working time has decreased on,v
ten minutes in nine years Another comnar,son
has been made in which it appears that tba aa-
vertsements for work outnurhered those seal-
ing workers by more than two 70 one at the
earlier date. whereas at the present time there
are more positions than applicants These are
some OF the things that indicate the condition of
the wage Garner, and warrant quite as much