The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-05-04
CHEAP LABOR 3 !AE III. | |.
INJURY on community
An Able Aticle By Frank Duffy
In April Issue Of s.
Carpenter.
Cheap Labor Is q Ologging Of the
Wheels Of National .
Progress.

We hear so much these. days said
In a jeering manner about the de-
mands of the members Of organized
labor for increased wages, shorter
workday and better conditions gener-
ally, that it becomes necessary to re-
fuite some of the statements made.
The general impression prevails that,
to get things Cheap" at "bargain,"
at knock down" price, is good bus
mess principles that should be adj
vocated and encouraged at all times
and under all circumstances. But is
t? Let us see.
We know perfectly well that we can
not get something" for nothing" and
if we do, that something" is usually
mot worth having" One thing Is
certain, good workman will not
work cheap. He will not work unless
he receives just treatment, fair COM
pensation and good pay. The en-
ployer will not take a contract except
he receives his price" The supply
man will not sell material until pay
ment' of same Is guaranteed by the
contractor Or owner, or both, at his
price. And so business is conducted
and carried on from day to day and
from age to age.
Reduction a Calamity.
Yet we have some individuals, some
employers, some certain societies, some
particular organizations Of capital who
believe that the wage workers should
take what they get and go on their
way rejoicing, without murmur or
complaint. But to be fair, all sides
should be heard before passing judy
ment. Cheap labor" we contend, is a
positive INJURY to the community. a
curse to society. and "detriment"
to all classes of citizens alike. A
general reduction" in wages is a
| public calamity" It can not be look
| ed upon in any other light by any ra-
! tional or fair-minded person. Cheap
en- labor" and you destroy the incen-
tive that spurs men on to effort
and Improvement" Reduce wages
and you dishearten the workers in the
performance Of their daily toll. They
become careless and Indifferent, have
no ambition In their work, and do no,
care whether it Is done right or not
The poorly paid laborer" can not be
classed as a skilled laborer." He car
| not be depended upon to do the work
required. He seldom gives satisfac-
ton to his employer and is rarely en-
ployed steadily. Low wages" or a
reduction Of wages, lower the moral
social and intellectual standard of any
people. Degraded, unskilled, cheap
pauperized labor Is a menace" tc
our welfare and well-belng. It is 6
| IN <ha 81
results In decreased production. and
consequently a loss to national wealth
It leaves in its trail discomfort anc
dissatisfaction. It breeds ignorance
and vice. 1t is blight upon our ma.
tional intelligence
High Wages a Blessing.
While, on the other hand, "higf
wages mean skilled labor an6
skilled labor" means Increased pro.
duction." High wages signify ant
stand for intelligence, ingenuity, in.
vention, good work and q higher ant
nobler manhood. High. wages NEAR
also better and happier homes, ant
it can not be denied that they tend t.
elevate the workingman, render hin
more skillful and inventive and more
| ~ OOuSkAFO dAAu NOAAVAACAdl W tAo CO41l'
munity in general. The machinery
tools and appliances invented by 9mer'
lean workingmen, by which "produc'
ton" has been Increased" and aug.
mented a hundred fold or more with.
in the last few years could never b.
produced" by people who worl
Cheap" for a low rate Of wages
Every increase in wages has better
ed not only the individual, but thu
community at large. It has left it.
mark in the progress" Of our coun.
try. It has helped It's growth" I
has aided and assisted in its onward
march to physical and intellectual
greatness"
Then why should we ever listen tt
the selfish winnings of certain indi.
viduals who care not for others, s,
long as they are prosperous? "Chea]
labor" Is a detriroent and a curse t.
any country. 1t is "clogging of tn,
wheels of progress" "stoppage O.
invention" and Sign Of decay
How any one can say it is beneh
is a. mystery to US. We can not see it
Labor organizations are progressiv,
institutions. They can not stand 70,
low wages, nor will they tolerate re.
auctions under any conditions,