The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-09
BY w. r. K.

1 gtsRoMAN CATHOLIC SYSTEM OF
IPoLlTlcAL ECONOMY ohm A. Ryan,
professor OF ethics and economics In the
st. Paul seminary, In book bearing the
title A Living Wage, It's Ethical and Eco
ncmlc Aspects, gives what Professor
Richard I. Ely of Wisconsin university,
calls "a Roman Catholic system of polfti-
! cal economy" "a well-defned theory OF
wages" based upon Professor Ryans un-
/ defstanding Of the approved doctrines OF
his church. Professor Ely, in his intro
| duction, further and, justly commends the
! book ''as an attempt on the part Of re-
I ligious teacher to get beyond vague and
glittering generalities to precise doctrine,
and to pass from appeals to sentiment 10
reasoned arguments"
It will be seen from the above that Pro-
4 lessor Ryan's book is one to make a
strong appeal to everyone Interested IN
! the labor problem and in economics Inc
problem is one that the church has viewed
too long from the glittering generality
l point of view failing to realize that It's
)solution means the solution OF many SUD
4 sidiary problems in which the church is
vitality interested. 3f
i Professor Ryan first discusses the eco
nomic and legal presumptions against
, living wage, and then weighs authorizes
which favor an ethical standard OF HIKING
wages. He then passes to the basis ma
ture and content OF the right to a nVlng
wage, to the facts by which the right IS
conditioned, and finally to- the opllga-
lions corresponding to the right. In TINS
closing chapter the author gives a sum :
mary and conclusion, in which may pc
seen his line of argument, which runs III
part thus: l5 @
The laborer's right to a living wage is the
specific form of his generic right to obtain on
reasonable conditions sufficient of the ear ~,
products to afford him decent liyellhooo. =.
latter right Is like all other moral flghts,
based on his intrinsic worth as person. anu
on the sacredness Of those needs that are
essential to the reasonable development OF per
sonality. Among the things to which THESE
) needs point there IL included a certain amount
, of material goods. mans right to TINS IN
dispensable minimum Of the bounty OF nature
is as valid as his right to life; the difference
is merely in degree Of Importance. Now when
the man whose social and economic function is
that Of a wage Garner has expended all MS
working time and energy In the performance
of some useful task, he has fulfilled the on!
: condition that in his case can be regarded al
reasonable prerequisite to the actual enjoy
S ment of his right to- a, decent livelihood In.
obligation Of providing him with the materta
means Of living decently rests in genera
way upon all his fellow men. That is to say
[ they all under moral restraint not TO az
anything that would be ain unreasonable inter
= ference with his access to these means. How
e ever, it is only those persons who In contro
Of the goods and opportunities of living tina
are practically within his reach, who cal
. effectively hinder promote his enjoyment o
: the right in question. When they proven
n him from peaceably getting possession of tn
. requisite amount of goods they are morally re
sponsible for his failure to obtain decent live
lihood. This specific obligation Of til
class of persons that are considering fall
+ primarily upon the employer for his economt
= position direct beneficiary Of the laborer'
a exertion and as payer of wages, renders thi
" the only practicable outcome of any REASONABLE
: division of the community's opportunities of liv
ing and Of the corresponding responsibilities
Nor can the employer escape his duty Of paE
II ing living wage by taking refuge behind til
! terms of the so-called free contract The fac
10 Is that the underpaid iaborer does not willingl
e sell his labor for less than the equivalent O
decent livelihood, any more than the, way
farer willingly gives m, his purse to the high
. wayman.sIt is the superior economic force (whie
consists essentially in ability to wait Will
possessed by the employer that enables him I
ID hire labor for less than a living wage. - TIL
other economic classes In the community til
landowner, the loan capitalist the consume
and the man Of wealth., share the respons
+ bility OF providing the laborer with decor
Re livelihood In secondary degree, and in a.
cordance with the nature and possibilities +
e their several economic positions, Finally. til
state is morally bound to compel employers
pay living wage whenever and wherever i
can, with a moderate degree of success pu
"a into effect the appropriate legislation.
The author recognizes the difficultie
is of enforcing these principles in practice
but he claims that if they were put int
practice they would result in an enor
le nous Improvement in Industrial and SO
20 cial conditions :ft
- The position of Professor Ryan is on
= that will be subject doubtless to consid
cradle criticism Nevertheless, it is
great deal to have formulated a Chrstia
os system Of political economy, and to hav
If formulated it SO clearly as has been don
in this casa even tho it is not every
where convincing. To have stated a prob
il lem Is to have prepared the way for solu
:. ton, and as statement of the cas-
AZ Professor Ryan's book is worthy of care
full study. .,.,4oss
The Macmillan company, New York.
- $3.50 net.