The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-10-16
WAGE Farmers
Continued from Page one)


figures as to the relative number EN-
pIoyed In 1905 as compared with
1894. These show an increase of A.
per cent In other words, nearly one.
third OF those employed in 1865 were
without work in 1894. AS cUnse.
Quence of this great Increase in the
number employed and the increase in
the rate OF wages the total amount
greater in 1905 than in 1894.
An interesting fact in connection
with the increases in the average
prices of commodities is that 1t has
been most marked in the prices OF
agricultural products and raw mater
laIs generally. The average increase
III the prices Of manufactures has
been much less than the average in.
crease In the direct products Of the
soil, forests, andmines The meaning
Of this is that, despite the increased
cost of raw materials and the great
increase in the wages paid for labor,
the manufacturing establishments of
the country, especially the larger ones
have introduced economics that have
enabled them to sell their products
ar slightly advanced prices, and, in
some cases. at or below the prices
of 1894.
Probably the most important single
factor in preventing commodity pric.
SD OBI omBs eul lR 5uIousAps SO
wages has been the decline in the cost
OF transportation cost that enters
into the selling price Of practically
every commodity. The Interstao
Commerce Commission report shows
that he average rate per ton per mile
lor 1905 was 1903 per cent less thar
the rate for 1894, and 1906 will show
Il still further reduction. When the
steady advance in the wages OF rail
way employees ofsall kinds and ths
large increase in the cost Of prac,.
llcd1ly every commodity used in the
construction or operation Of rail
road is considered 1t is wonderful that
the roads have been able to make this
large reduction in their average
freight charges. 1t has b2en made
possible only by the expenditure of
enormous sums for the Improvement
Of roadbeds and tracks, for the elm.
lIution Of curves and grades, and for
the purchase Of more powerful en-
eines aud cars OF greater capacity,
resulting in the average train-load be-
ing largely increased from year to
year. These railroad improvements
have had very important direct eff
feet in increasing prosperity by CIV
ing employment directly and indirect
" to hundreds OF thousands Of men
and by using enormous quantities o.
raw materials and manufactured COM
rlodities This work is still continu
ing on scale even larger than ever
before. and unless intcrGered with by
some wholly unforeseen business de-
preston or by radical ana unwise leg
isIatfon by Congress or the State leg
islatures, this year and 1907 will wit
ness expenditures for railroad eX'
tension and beterments that will no;
fall far short of billion dollars. a
recently compiled statement Of the
work being done in trunk line terri
tory chiefly for the improve
mcnt of facilities on existing lines -
shows that the expenditures Of thu
Two years will total about $4OOODO,OOO
This takes no account OF the cost OF
the thousands Of miles of now lines
under way and projected in the South
ern States and in all the vast region
west Of, the Mississippi from TIVE Ca
nadian border to the Rio Grandc. This
work means the employment Of arm
les of men and expenditures for wag-
cs on a larger scale tl,an ever before.
It means giving railroad facilities to
many localities now without Them and
greatly improved service on the exist.
ing lines,