Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-02-02
UNFAIR PROSPERITY
FARMERS AND WAGE FARMERS
NOT GETTING THEIR SHARE.
Figures Show That Protected Trusss
and Corporations have Forced
Prices for Cost Of Living Far
Above Increased Wages
Paid

We are all impressed with the
prosperity that the great business in
terests OF the country are enjoying.
but somehow many OF US feel that we
are not getting our share. There is
no disputing the prosperity OF the
few. but there is still stronger evil
dence that many farmers and wage
earners are not getting Just what
should be coming TO them. The price
OF farm products. with the exception
OF wheat. has increased. wages OF
workingmen have advanced. and yet
the greatest economy is not able TO
equallze the greatly increased outgo.
The figures" Of Dun and Bradstreet
show that the price OF all commodities
has risen on an average over 80 per
cent since 1896. but the statistics OF
the average wages paid indicate an
Increase of only about 20 per cent
during the same period.
The census figures show there are
about 3O.000.0 900 people in this coun-
try working for wages. receiving an
average OF about 5000 each per year. so
the total wages paid amount 70 $751;
000. 0O0, 900. Deductiag 20 per cent
would give In 1896 for the same num-
Der Of wage earners $4,000. 00o. 900
But rs the cost OF living Is now 30
per cent. more than In 1896. and II
cost all the wage earners earned In
1906 TO live. Il must now cost them
s22. 500, 00O. 900. or 5000 each per year
10 buy the same amount OF goods and
pay the increased rent and other ex-
penses OF living that II did In 1896.
Yet the evidence shows that the
wages paid are but 20 per cent high
er. or $3.50 per year-in all sls.oOo.-
000. 00Q. SO the difference between
what the wage earners of the coun-
try now receive and what they should
receive II they fully participated In
the prosperity. Il $500. 100000. This
amount represents approximately
what the protected trusts. combines
and corporations are receiving in
profits over and above the average
profits the producers and manufac-
turers were getting In 1896. Sure
" the trusts are prosperous, and
their prosperity Is indisputable. for
four and a half billion dollars are d.
verted by the Republican system OF
protection into the remorseless maws
Of the corporation magnates. But
how about the balance Of US that are
forced by these tariff fostered trust
high prices TO pay the extra st,500.-
000, 900 at $50 each for the 30.0o0.-
900 workers?
No wonder there IL unrest and that
all who earn salaries and wages are
demanding more pay. but as the cost
OF living Is advancing at the rate OF
Ave per cent annually II would seem
that wages and salaries will never
catch up with the cost OF living.
As a political proposition the voters
must remember that In 1896 and for
three years previous the Democratic
tariff rates were quite high. averag.
ing 3s.6s per cent ad valorem. where
as under the present law the rates
exceed SO PER cent, or over 20 per
cent higher. That enormous Increase
fostered the formation OF trusts and
combines. which very naturally. fin6-
ing they had n monopoly. have In
creased prices until they now exceed
so per cent. OF what they were In
1896 under the lower tariff rates. AS
everyone Is compelled to pay these In
creased prices is Il not the reason
able and only way 20 reduce prices
to so revise the tariff that. at least.
these high prices may not become
higher. which are now increasing az
the rate OF Ave per cent. every year?
The Republicans say: mo. we will
stand pat and allow the present trust
prosperity TO continue. and hope that
wages will advance to a par with
prices" which under the present sys-
tenn experience shows they will not
do. The Democrats declare for tariff
revision. so that there will be compe-
tition with the trusts and force them
to reduce the price OF their products
to q reasonable extent. The voters
when they elect the next president
and congress must decide between
these two propositions.