Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1908-09-17

over the wages of the working man.
II is evident that this surplus must be
a considerable one IL the concern is
to pay" the exploitation of the
working man must be great. even
where wages are high. II is clear
that the wages OF the working man
cannot rise high enough TO be even
approximately equal 10 the value OF
his product. The capitalist wages sys-
tenn means, under all circumstances.
the thorough exploitation of the
working class. 1t is impossible TO
abolish this exploitation without abol-
ing the system itself
But wages rarely reach the highest
point which they might, even under
these circumstances; more often they
are found 20 be nearer the lowest pos
sible point This point is reached
when the wages do not even supply
the working man with his barest me-
cessities; when the working man not
only starves but starves rapidly. all
work is at an end.
The wages swing between these two
extremes; they are found to be lower.
the lower the necessities of the work.
ing man. the larger the supply of la
Dor in the labor market, and the
slighter the capacity OF the working
man for resistance.
In general. wages must be high
enough to keep the working man in a
condition to work, or, to speak more
accurately, they must be high enough
to secure to the capitalist the measure
OF labor power which he needs. In
other words wages must be high
enough. not only to keep the working
man in a condition to work. but also
In a condition to produce children.
who may be able to replace him. 1t
follows that the Industrial develop
ment has a tendency that is most
pleasing to the capitalist, to-wit. to
lower the necessities Of the working
man in order that his wages may be
lower in proportion.
Exploit Women and Children
There was a time when skill and
strength We're requisites for a work
ing man. The period of apprentice
ship was then long, the cost of his
training considerable. Now, however,
the progress made In the division OF
labor and the system OF machinery
render skill and strength In produc-
ton more and more superfiuous: they
make 1t possible to substitute unskill-
ed and cheap workmen for skilled
ones; and, consequently. to substitute
weak women and even children in the
place of men. In the early stages OF
manufacture this tendency is percep-
tible. but not until machinery is in
troduced into production does the
wholesale exploitation commence OF
women and cvhildren OF tender age
an exploitation OF the most helpless
among the helpless-who are made q
prey of shocking maltreatment and
abuse. Thus machinery develops q
new and wonderful quality in tn,
hands of the capitalist.
Originally the wage worker had to
earn wages high enough to defray not
only his own expenses. but those OF
his family. in order to enable him e
propagate himself and to bequeatf
his labor power to others. Without
this process on his part the heirs OF
the capitalists would find no proietar.
ians ready made for exploitation.
When. however. the wife. and from
early infancy. the children OF tn,
working men are able to take care oi
themselves. then the wages OF tn,
working men can be safely reduced I,
the level OF his own personal needs
without the risk Of stopping the sup
ply of fresh labor power.
Over and above this. the labor o.
women and children affords the addi
tionai advantage that they OFFER les
resistance than men, and their intro
duction into the ranks Of the work
ers Increases wonderfully the quantit.
Of labor that Is offered for sale in tn,
market.