River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-11-03


such a collection. It is, however, obvi-
ous that the workingman does not buy
his food at wholesale 1t is, therefore,
clearly wrong to compare the working
mans wages with wholesale prices. The
Democratic Text Book learnedly dis
courses on the stability of wholesale
prices. while as a matter Of fact, it is
recognized by all authorities on prices
that wholesale prices are exceedingly
sensitive and that retail prices are more
stable, never reaching relatively as high
or as low levels as the former. But,
leaving aside the question of stability, II
IS the retail price which the ordinary
consumer is compelled to pay, and which,
therefore discloses the more accurately
the cost Of living. Further, it is stated
in this Bulletin of the Bureau of Labor
that these retail prices were secured
directly from the books of sales OF over
300 retail merchants-that these prices
represent actual sales to consumers ex-
tending over each month of the fourteen
year period covered-that they represent
every important center Of industry in the
rountry-and that the stores contribut-
ing the data are such as are largely
patronized by the working classes. 1t is
understood that these prices will be pub
sished in the greatest detail for each city
covered in the Eighteenth Annual Re
port of the Bureau, now in press-an
evidence that the officials Of the bureau
nave no doubt as to the integrity Of their
data.
As the final court, the Democratic
managers suggest that the whole mat
ter Of cost Of living be left to the house
wives Of the country. They do not per-
maps recall the statement made in the
criticised Bulletin that over 2oOOO fam
6Iics contributed to the report-that the
bureau has practically done already what
Is suggested-left the matter to the
wives of over $4,000 representative work
dngmen.
Full of Misstate ments.
The criticism of the wage data APP
pears to be quite as futile as that of the
figures for cost of living. 1t is full
pr miSstatements Of fact, as may be seen
by reference to the Bulletin itself. The
Snethod of averaging imputed to the
bureau was not used. Even the most
cursory examination of the Bulletin
could not fail to disclose the falsity of
abe premises upon which the entire criti-
cism as to method is based 1t has been
charged in some quarters that the in
by the bureau is greater than is actually
the case, because the wages which form
the basis Of the report represent highly
slnionized centers, where wages have
been increased most rapidly. This charge
IS readily refuted by comparing the Bull
Ietn wages with the average of the mini
mum union wages shown for che same
occupations, as compiled by the Secre-
tary of the Building Contractors COun-
Gil of Chicago. Ill.,, and published by the
Building Employers Association Of New
York City. Bearing in mind that the
union wages quoted are minimum wages
and that the actual union wages would
average considerably higher, the COM
DariSOnS in Il few occupations are as fol-
5Ows: Minimum union wages of masOns
an % cities average 81 cents per hour,
while the average of the bureau is not
quite 45 cents; minimum union wages
of bricklayers in % cities average 57A
cents per hour, while the average of
the bureau is 54M cents; minimum
union wages of structural iron workers
En % cities average 46M cents per hour,
while the average of the bureau is less
than AN cents; minimum union wages
of plumbers in % cities average 47M
cents per hour, while the average of the
bureau is 43% cents. These examples
might be multiplied, but those given are
sufficient to show that the averages of
THE bureau are considerably lower than
6he average of minimum union wages,
and are, therefore, fairly representative
of both union and non-union labor in the
occupations covered. The charge that
an unjustifable increase in wages is
secured by the bureau by the collection
of its figures from strongly unionized
centers is readily refuted by the above
facts
The principal charges have been men
fiOned-the minor ones are equally I'M
warranted and unsupported by the facts.
The report Of the bureau represents the
sum Of patient and painstaking investi-
cation of nearly three years, and its per-
manent value cannot be lessened or OBJ
secured by partisan attacks. Its value
as a scientific study of economic condi-
ticns and as contribution to the some
what meagre statistics of wages and cost
of living has already been recognized
both at home and abroad. The accuracy
and excellence of the reports of this
bureau of the government have never
ben seriously questioned during its eigh-
tee. years of existence. Under the able
and conservative management of Com
missioner Wright, it has always merit
ed its reputation of being a non-part-
san Office for the collection and presen-
tation of facts, and so far as can be
seen from a careful examination of its
latest report, the charges made for par
tisan effect will not warrant the with
drawal of the confidence of the public.
Olney aud Cievelnnd's Monumental
Brass.
The Democratic donkey is trying to
dance into power over the graves OF
United States soldiers who died for the
freedom of Cuba. The result is already
apparent. Gross stupidity could go no
further than Richard Olney ventured in
hiS recent speech. Grover Cleveand's
laudation of the experienced. undrama-
tic Buchanan" was Il record-breaker in
Ne .IHll ~.