Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-11-28

for the suggestion lis that workers
in unaftracfive employments, miners,
stokers, etc. shall work only one-third
or ope-fourtll as many hours per day
as doctors, teachers, etc.-ln other
words. that a premium shall be placed
on ignorance and that skin and ability
shall be penalized In proof OF these
statements the following quotations
are made from three typical Socialist
pamphlets. at least two of which are
specially recommended by the most
prominent Socialist organ In this coun-
try:
Now, note that the reason for diff
ferent degrees Of remuneration is due
to the fact that the grades above COM
mon labor need to be compensated for
years Of apprenticeship and study
given to qualification. But 1t is certain
that after socialism has been in opera
ton few years, and artisans and pro
fcssional men were supported by So
cIety during their years of qualifica-
ton, then another rule would be APP
pllcable. The ratio of differentiation
would gradually diminish until all
labor you'd receive equal remunera-
ton for equal labor performed. Eco
nomic equality Is the ideal. 1t will
ultimately be attained
"For every days labor certificate
would be issued against the wealth
created, which would enable the la
borer to exchange the note for the
product or for any other commodity
containing a like amount of labor
time. "-"Principles of Scientific Social
ISM" by Rev. Charles H. Vail
Socialists demand that when one
does days labor he sh6l be given
an evidence of labor performed, and
this evidence he can exchange for any
thing ON earth the labor cost of which
Is one day.
IF person worked day he could
then command the average product of
days labor Of any commodity.
"But what should constitute days
labor? SO many hours work. but not
necessarily the same number of hours
per day for all sorts of toil-not at
least under the conditions that will
prevail when cooperative common
wealth Is first tnaugurated. Adverse
critics of socialism often ask: Under
the system you propose who would do
the work In dust and heat? Who
would perform the mental labory Ask
such critic, III two hours constitute
day In the dust and heat and eight
hours a day as bookkeeper, which
would you chooser and the chances are
a thousand to one that il he is man
of superior ability or is ambitious to
develop along praiseworthy lines he
will choose the dust and heat."-"In
Productions to Socialism" by n. A
Richardson
But after all said in favor of equal
wages for equal effort, as we have al
ready mentioned, it is not absolutely
necessary to the success of socialism
that is to say, socialism inaugurated
with small inequality would be fair
~ successful. I am inclined to the
opinion that it will start this way,
though have but little doubt that the
question will finally be settled In favor
OF equality.
'The standard hours work or days
work will probably become the stand
ard for measuring all values.
'Let us not forget that the perform
ance Of disagreeable work deserves
great remuneration and that under so
ciaIism the physical work requiring the
least skill will be generally the most
disagreeable and the most avoided and
therefore would be, strictly speaking,
entitled to the highest wages" - "a
Plain Analysis of Socialism," by T.. #.
Eccles.
These may not be the views of the
Socialist critics of President Roosevelt,
but as they are probably the views Of
the great mass of voting Socialists the
president was fully justified in max
ing them the basis Of his structures
upon that un-American ideal of dis
eliminating against the competent in
favor of the Incompetent