The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-06-20
THE LABoRER'S HIRE.
WcrkinEmen Have a Right to de-
mand Jnst Compensation.

WorkinEmen Have a Right to De-
mand just Compensation.
Rev, Thomas J. Gasson, S. j., Of Bos-
ton college in recent address before
the Boston Central Labor union said
In part:
No rejecting man can contemplate
the present conditions OF life without
being deeply impressed by the fact
that the paramount questions OF the
hour are those which deal with the re-
iations between capital aud labor, be-
tween the employer and employee.
I'm fact, the labor question, as II is
called, seems to have oyershadowed
nearly every other question, and men
are evidently more DESTROYS OF having
this problem solved than they are OF
deciding the form and functions Of the
government under which they live. In
separately connected with the subject
Is the question Of wages or the fair re-
enumeration OF labor KS
III IL absurd to say that the cco-
nomic life Of the nation may be viewed
as something independent Of the code
of morals. Justice, then, must reign In
the economic sphere unless we are pre-
pared To admit an overwhelming tyr
amy of force and the supremacy OF
matter. We may safely say, then, that
where the compensation ~ in proper
ton TO the work performed the con-
tract between master and workman Is
fair and the claims Of equity have been
recognized
"But how are we TO determine this
proposition? How shall we decide the
proper amount Of wages TO be paid?
The question is not without many diff
cnlties. 10 simplify matters let us
take first OF all, the case OF ordinary
service. of unskilled labor What shall
we consider as a proper return?
Shall we say, as many do. that la
Dor Is common merchandise, com
modify which the employer may pur-
chase IN the cheapest market, fire.
spective OF all considerations of JUS
tice or humanity? May labor be con.
sidered In the nature OF a bale OF goods
put up for sale for which the buyer
win offer the lowest imaginable price?
To assert this is to close ones eyes to
truth patent to all -the living man
cannot be reduced TO bale Of mer-
chandise. Labor is not mere abb
straction: 1t is concrete reality. II
is not something devoid Of life. II IS
not something separable from the llv-
ing agent; 1t Is part of the man, II
Is the outflow OF bis energy. the crys-
utilization OF his vital force; 1t is the
wear and tear of his life, and no sys-
tenn OF wages preserves the laws of
justice unless these facts are taken
into consideration.
"rhe laborer consequently in his toll
gives part OF his life. and justice de-
mands that IN return he receives what
Is necessary to maintain life not soDiy
/ In himself. but in his wife and ehit
dren; hence the workingnlan has the
right to demand for his compensation
all that is needed to support himself
and those naturally dependent upon
him in a condition Of moderate conf
fort. / say in condition of moderate
comfort, for Just as the hreadwinner
is not a piece of merchandise, SO nei-
Their Is he a beast OF burden. and the
return be receives must be sufficient to
enable him to pass his days in respect
able surroundings. to live upon whole
some food to wear decent clothing and
to educate his children IN o fitting
manner for the stern tragedy OF life
GAS long as employers hold to The
principle that labor may be regarded
as any other marketable commodity,
SO ioug will they fling to the winds the
pressing claims of justice and human
ity. But II healthy theory offeco-
Monies fiourishes among US. IL men are
brought 30 see that In the pursuit Of
wealth due regard must be had to the
fundamental moral code, II employers
learn, as learn they should, that the
bond between them and their toilers Is
a moral bond entailing on both sides
the most sacred obligations OF con
science. binding them In such wise that
fraud, deceit aud dishonesty therein are
crimes mennclng the very existence Of
the nation, then may we hope to see
the day OF victory for the breadwin-
ner and the realization Of the toilers'
earthly paradise"