The Elbert County tribune., 1904-11-03

tucs q collecuon. 1t Is. however. obvi-
us that the workingman does not buy
his food at wholesale. 1t IL. therefore.
clearly wrong to compare the working
mans wages with wholesale prices The
Democratic Text Book learnedly dis
courses on tia stability of wholesals
prices, while as q matter OF fact. 1t is
recognized by all authorities on prices
that wholesale prices are exceedingly
sensitive and that retail prices are more
stable. never reaching relatively ms high
or as low levels as the former. But,
leaving aside the question of stability, IT
IN the retail price which the ordinary
consumer IS compelled to pay. and which.
therefore, discloses the more accurately
the cost of living. Further. II is stated
In this Bulletin OF the Bureau OF Labor
that these retail prices were secured
directly from thu books OF sales OF over
COO 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
country-and that the stores contribute
ing the data are such as are largely
patronized by the working classes. 1t is
Understood that these prices will be pub
Lshed 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
have 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-
haps recall the statement made in the
criticised Bulletin that over 25,00O fam.
tr.l. tsI 60 Ia ~ a n
bureau has practically done already what
is suggested-left the matter to the
wives of over $4,000 representative work
ingmen.
Full OF Misstnte 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
of misstatements of fact. as may be seen
by reference to the Bulletin itself. The
method 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
the premises upon which the entire criti-
csm as to method Is based. 1t has been
charged in some quarters that the in
crease of 1873 per cent. in wages shown
by the bureau Is greater than Is actually
the case, because the wages which form
the basis OF the report represent highly
unionized centers, where wages have
been increased most rapidly. This charge
Is readily refuted by comparing the Bull
letin wages with the average of the mini
mum union wages shown for the 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
PARSONS in n few occupations are as fol-
lows: Minimum union wages of masons
In 20 cities average "a cents per hour,
while the average of the bureau is not
quite 10 cents; minimum union wages
of bricklayers in 20 cities average 57A
cents per hour, while the average of
the bureau is 54A cents; minimum
union wagesfof structural iron workers
In "a cities average 46% cents per hour,
while the average of the bureau is less
than AN cents; minimum union wages
of plumbers in % cities average AIN
cents per hour while the average of the
bureau is 43X cents. These examples
might be multiplied. but those given are
sufficient to show that the averages of
the bureau are considerably lower than
the 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 unjustifiable 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
tioned-the minor ones are equally I'M
warranted and unsupported by the facts.
The report of the bureau represents the
sum of n patient and painstaking investi-
CATION OF nearly three years, and its per-
manent value cannot be lessened or oh
scured by partisan attacks. Its value
as n scientific study of economic condi-
lions 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
been seriously questioned during its eigh-
teen years of existence. Under the able
and conservative management of Com
missioner Wright, it has always merit
ed its reputation OF being a non-parti-
san office for the collection and presen-
cation of facts. and so far as can be
seen from 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
Oiney and Cieveiand's Monumental
Brass.
The Democratic donkey Is trying to
dance into power over the graves OF