The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-04-05
NEVER TALK WAGES
A CRITICISM OF AN ARTICLE BY
ELBERT HUBBARD.

AS1ASAIA~4 AAOAA1n1NDs
Who Says That If He Were an EN-
ploye He Would Work Right On
and "Never Mention Wases''-He
Would Then BE Rewarded by a
Lucrative Salary-sam. Gompers
Discusses This Position.
(By Sam. Gompers in Federationist.)
The world Of art, literature, and
thought has been enriched by the work
and writings, of Mr.. Elbert Hubbard,
and We have often read with great
deal Of interest and pleasure the many
bright and good things he has said and
done. 1t is, therefore, all the more re-
grettable to find him entirely out of
his latitude, discussing conditions and
advocating course with which he is
entirely unfamiliar.
In truth it would be remarkable, con-
sidering the atmosphere in which he
lives and works, did he have an ap-
probation of the industrial situation,
the conditions which exist under it, and
the causes which prompt the men of
labor, that is, the wage-earners gener-
ally, to secure either redress for the
wrongs from which they suffer, or
some consideration of the rights to
which they are entitled.
In the article to which we refer, Mr..
Hubbard says that if he were an em-
ploye he would never mention wages"
but would focus right on his work and
do it. He would never harass an en-
~I~ 1>,sk rrSxy III md
let his work tell it's own story. He says
that, 1.-The man who makes a strike to
have his wages raised from fifteen to
eighteen dollars a week may get the
raise, and then his wages will stay
there Had he kept quiet and just
been intent on making himself five
thousand dollar man he might have
gravitated straight to five-thousand-
dollar desk"
Ye gods! What reasoning, and what
a wonderful exhibition Of want Of in
formations!
In each plant employing, say, one
thousand workmen, there are not more
than five occupying "a five-thousand-
dollar DESK" and according to Mr..
Hubbard's reasoning the remaining
nine hundred and ninety-five should
surrender their opportunity of raise
in their wages from fifteen to eighteen
dollars a week upon the thread of hope
that the occupants of the five-thous-
and dollar positions may die SO the
workman might aravitate straight to
g. five-thousand-do dollar desk"
II the workers were to surrender their
effort to secure q material improve
:ment in their condition, the employers
sEoef I2h saesths Etua- nm
in the form Of forcing lower wages,
longer hours, and worse conditions. :
It is not difficult to say glibly, as
does Mr.. Hubbard, that II the work.
mems positions do not give them the
opportunity to grow, and they know
Of better place, why, go to the: bet
ter place." The fact OF the matter Is
that despite our present industrial re-
vival there are now thousands Of work.
men vainly seeking employment and
the opportunity Of sustaining them
selves and those dependent upon them;
while the unity of effort among the
employed workers is designed that the
places and positions they occupy shall
be bettered.
InSTc ~ llO SuIcI CduSC LII UCICA AOA a.
ton in the condition Of the workers
than their lack Of interest in their own
welfare and the welfare Of others. To
use an apt illustration, we quote Mr..
Hubbard against himself when he else
where SAYS:
Depend upon it; the best antiseptic
for decay is an active interest in
human affairs"
This is as true in industry as in all
other fields Of human activity.
Mr.. Hubbard advocates and right
fully too, that men should love art, and
says that art consists in working with
ones hands, and finding love and Joy
in that work.
dustrial concerns, and ask whether it
is possible for the working people
generally to have much love or Joy in
the work they do.
For instance: At Mintola, New Jer-
sey, there is a glass company which
practically owns the whole settlement.
Little boys less than ten years Of age
often find violent deaths from the con-
ditions Of their work.
The laws of the state, prohibiting the
employment Of children under fourteen
years Of age, are openly violated. The
houses are owned by the company. The
employees are compelled to Geal at the
company's store. They are forced to
contribute toward the payment Of a
preachers salary. The wages of the
men are half that paid the same class
of workmen elsewhere.
Unless each man can bring two boys.
either his own or others, to work with
him, he can not find employment. II
any man expresses dissatisfaction with
conditions, he is Immediately dis
charged. The company has spies not
only among the men, but among the
women and children Of the village; and
whenever it is discovered by these in
direct means that glass worker feels
chagrined at the treatment accorded
him or wages paid, he is peremptorily
dismissed.
Is it imaginable that these men can
find "love and joy'' In the work they
do?
Recently we visited a large modern,
and model, shoe factory In which sew
eral thousand men and women are en-