The Washington herald., 1908-08-10
THE RAPE OF THE ToILER.
Man Who Produces Wealth should
Get His Share.

Editor The Washington Herald.
No subject within recent years has oc-
casioned so aluch agitation or is fraught
with so much interest 70 the masses OF
the American pee as that Of trusts
and combinations for trade purposes.
syndicates and combinations of all kinds
are the rule Of the day. Railroads com
bine into large systems. manufacturers
combine into colossal syndIcates. farmers
combine into cooperative societies. work
ers combine into trade unions. Each Of
these combinations. within its own sphere.
serves a useful purpose. while all Of Them
are admitted TO be a necessary conse-
quence OF the development and perfection
Of organized society
Il is only when the combine becomes
too grasping and oversteps the bounds CT
It's legitimate privileges that evil IS done
As each combine depends on the others
and the welfare OF the whole implies the
welfare OF all the parts. reciprocity
should be their standard Of conduct. and
Christian principles should unite them
together in a bond OF brotherhood. sym
pathy. and common interest. In view OF
the foregoing facts. Il seems almost in
credible that 1Ir c. W Post. Mr.. Van
Cleves. Rear Admiral Melville. Repre-
sentative LiJtlefeld. and hundreds OF men
Of their TX throughout the United States.
who acknowledge and proclaim the bene-
ntS and necessity Of the combines Of cap
ital and Industrial enterprises. con-
tiuue 70 wage a relentless and y.ncom-
promising campaign Of abuse and viii
ncatiou against ali combines Of the wage
earuers-
That these men. many OF whom stand
high IN the Industrial world. are hypoc-
risy personifed is evidenced by the fact
that while they are endeavoring TO create
the impression that their hostility toward
the trade unions and their fight 70 IS
tablish the sO-calied open shop is sole
y designed for the rights and better
ment % the waEe-earuers. they are spend
ing hundreds OF thousands Of dollars an
nually IL vain attempt 20 demoralize
and suppress all labor organizations.
which would result IN a lower wage scale
and. for the success Of the open shop"
policy would determine the vase on the
principles Of a callous and iuhuman DO
E:ical economy. II would grind men
down 10 the lowest possible figure pit
one against another. and advertise for
the hungriest workmen- Il would be the
moving backward the hands on the dial
Of progress II would be a backing out
of tHe highway Of progression Into the
slough Of retrcEression and Industrial
slavery. from which the trade unions
have so iIdefatigably extracted the toll
ing masses
The extension Of commerce and rapfd
communication bring the whole world
into competition. and the capitalist can
undersell his rivals only by reducing 90
the utmost the cost Of production over
the cost OF machinery. materials. and
transit he has little control. and his profit
IS snatcEed from the wages Of labor. The
work Of man his exertioD. and his sweat
become a commodity 20 be bargained FOR
hunger and distress constitute the CAPT
talist's opportunity. for when men are
forced 10 work for small wage he has
hoPSs Of large profit
The population Of the United States IS
separated into two cIasses-the compare
tive few who contend for wealth. and
the many who struggle for existence
Seated In HIS lUXuriously furnished Of
ice. surrounded by clerks. the capitalist
forecasts that profit can Be made IN
certain enterprises. sets HIS organization
IN motion and ventures a part Of his
capital in order thar his present great
store may grow into a greater store
Yet not one step can he stir. not one
dollar can he handle. without the muscles
and handiwor6 of men
Whether IN cities teen1tng with indus
Try or iu transit by rail or ship. no gain.
no fortune IS possible that is not made
I'D Of tle work 81 laborers, the sweat
Of their brow, the strength Of their arms.
the mettle OF thei- hearts
All the wealth Of the world IS the
product Of labor
Then. how comes Il that the proceeds OF
work are so unequally divided Is il Just
that wealth should have all the enjoy
ment. the ease and the luxury. and that
work should be left with the toll. the
WEAKNESS. ard the bare living2 To what
proportion OF its produce is work en-
ttled2 II a man gives all that Is IN
him. his best ability of body OF mind
TO his work Il Is worth at least such q I
wage as shall decently feed clothe. ard
support himself and his family and make I
some provision for sickness and age I
This is the lowest worth Of mans work Z
Tor If he IS enga ged in useful work he 7
sXpends his thought and his iife's power I
Tor the general good and not merely for /
he immediate employer, and justice re-
luires that in the general arrangement I
1f things he should be placed in such q I
position that he can easily and cheerfuily I
continue the work.
The real fund from which wage IS paid (
s the price Of the article produced r. !
hen. the employer processes not 10 be /.
lbie 90 give this least wage. or Whist is I
'alled living wage. il does not follow I
hat the workman should be deprived og 4
T. II il IS a Just wage. he is entitled 20 /
{ The inability of the employer tospay I
t signifies one Of two things-it either
means that the employer. or the CAPT
alist, or tie retail dealer IS taking more
han a fair share Of the price OF the
article, or ii means that the price IS too
on.
Whatever may be the condition Of trade
" OF prices. the living wage Of wOrkmen
hOuld never be iuterfered with. mas
much az IL IS the lowest worth OF their
work That the contrary IS the case,
however. IS evidenced by the fact that
he wage-earners are compelled TO com
,ine for their own protection against the I,
ovet0Usness, self-interest. and inOrdtnate /
reed which have taken possession Of
he souls Of the majority Of the en-
5l0yers and capitalists in this age OF
reed and c0mmercialism.
JOHN a. CROWLEY.
s. street southwest
DIDN'T ELOPE WITH CHINESE.