Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-12-17
Monday. December II, 1906.
GOOD NEWS THERE WHY NOT HERE'

Nj LII
IN England are made happy by the cheer
full announcement that they will have their wages
increased Ciusttpas day from S to- 10 per cent.
In many cases this will be the second or third in
crease since the good times set in two or three
years ago.
1t is encouraging to those who believe that the
cmplove is entitled TO an should participate with
the employer in the profits of his products that
the New England manufacturers inclined to
treat their employees with some consideration.
IN that sections workers are strongly organized,
and are, therefore, in position to both learn
what are their rights and to make an effective de-
mand for them. Again is illustrated the ben
Gifts and advantages Of trade organization.
In this city there is, we believe, no organization
of the textile workers. hence they are individu-
ally competing with each other, and by lack of
cooperation are forcing wages downward instead
of upward That is an ideal condition for the
average manufacturer, for in times like these,
when prices are high, so long as he can keep
wages down the greater the profits and the richer
he becomes. The textile factories in this city and
section arc making as large or larger profits than
the New England manufacturers. The selling
price Of their products has increased from rs to
100 per cent, with corresponding increase of
profits. Yet. wages are practically the same as
they were five or ten years ago. when the cost of
living about so per cent less than it is to-day
DO these manufacturers say anything about in
creasing wages? No; nor will they so long as
the employees are content with what they are re-
oeivng.
What a difference there would be with the
workers Of this city if they were well organized
and inteligently directed 1t would probably
result in a short time in a very considerable in
crease of wages for perhaps 90 per cent of the
worlSingmen OF our city If general and de-
terinined demand is made for increase Of wages
in these busy times the manufacturer cannot re-
fuse it. lie can be made to do that which per-
haps he would never do voluntarily. Wortmen
as well as manufactured products are in demand
everywhere They are not going to leave other
places and higher wages to come to Wilmington
to take the places of those workingnen who ask
for fair treatment from their employers But so
long as the workers remain unorganzed they are
at disadvantage the mercy of the employer
and there is little chance for any real or per-
manent improvement in their condition
We are interested in the workingmen Of our
city and we want to see them as happy and as
well paid the workingmen of other cities in
the same line OF work. We believe toilers who
produce the wealth should share in its distribu-
ton The employer should not keep it all. and
if he tries to, we say he should be compelled to
give fair share Of it to those who do so much to
produce it.
We hope that the announcement of the New
England manufacturers will be repeated by our
Wilmington textile and other manufacturers and
that several thousands Of our workingmen may
have their Christmas made happier by the gem
erous and just action Of their employers.