Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1909-07-29
SOMETHING WRONG.

do the work required of him, as he did
back in 1898, and yet does not receive
three times as much in wages. 1t
would seem that by analogous reason
ing, if man paid and continued to
pay higher prices for everything he
consumed that in time his own wages
would also mount up to balance the
scale. Justice would require it, and
common sense, also. But it is not so.
The poor devil who works for his dali
ly bread today, has less chance than
ever to lay by anything for the rainy
day" that will come sooner or later,
and unless there is radical change
we will have nation of paupers with
a few rich people in possession of the
most of things.
Let us look back little to show the
difference between the prices of 1893
and those of. 1909, eleven years, taking
as our basis circular issued by A
W. Crockett a merchant formerly in
business in Whitwell, and shown us
by merchant of that place: Meat, sc
per h. so quotes Crockett. Meat is
now quoted at 15c with greatly de-
creased consumption among the labor
ing class For instance we have seen
numbers of times little girls from fam.
lilies of appal emily poor means, ask for
15c worth lone pound) of meat in the
whit wall annnnh tn
the pot. In 1893 that 15c would have
bought three pounds. That pound of
hog flesh is mighty dear, but it is the
price for the pound of flesh de-
manded by the trusts, the rich nabobs
who think nothing of owning half
dozen automobiles at So, 900 apiece, or
of spending vast sums in trying to get
happiness.
Meal is quoted in Crockett circular
at 40c per bushel and corn the same.
In these times it takes big fat silver
dollar to get that bushel of meal into
the home of the laborer. You will
note that we said silver dollar. This
is supposed to be gold standard sys-
tenn but there are no gold dollars cir
culating. The dollars OF our daddies,
silver dollars, are trying to do the
work. Look at your currency and see
if this is not so. When did you see a
gold certifcate2 They are mighty
scarce, very timid about appearing in
public, and it takes deal of work to
earn one. Try it and see if we are not
correct in this statement also. In fact
it takes nearly three times as much
work to earn ten-dollar gold OF silver
certificate in 1909 as it did in 1898.
Take the simple matter of broom.
Crockett advertised them at Sc, now il
takes 35c to get broom to raise 8
dust with Dried fruit is quoted al
215c per h., while the present price
is &c.
There is big upward move in pric
es, is there not? And just when il
will end is not known as we are prom
Used another batch of prosperity from
Hartman, Hill and the rest of the
bunch. Let us not forget the Patter
brand of prosperity which raised -four
from soc 24-lb. sack to 81. o. Flour,
just as good, sold in Crockett's day fol-
49c per 24-lb sack.
Now let us look at the wage side OF
the question. The average laborer
farm or common shop laborer, will
difficulty secures 81. 90 per day for hi:
services. This is an advance over the
SOC per day rate in style during the
second regime of Mr.. Cleveland, ant
is one hundred per cent. better. Blu
general comparison of prices will
this gives better than one hundred
per cent. rise in prices, so the average
laborer is no better off. He simply
pays more for what he gets, although
he may earn more, and if he gets sicl
his debts pile up faster on him.
In 1898 the average price of mining
coal at Whitwell was 4Sc per ton. TIL,
price today is the same, and conse
uuently when a man digs ton of Goa
thinking he has earned 4Sc, if he put
that 4Sc into meat for his family
has really earned only 16c. He dul
that ton of coal for IS cents worth o
meat but paid 4sc for it, To max
things equal he should have received
$1.44 for digging that ton of coal il
order to retain his place in the pro
cession of advanced prices. In Crock
etts time by adding a cent to th
amount he got by digging that ton o
coal he got a sack of -four. Now h
has to dig two tons of coal to get
sack of -four.
And so you may continue maxim
illustrations until the heart grow
sick, anticipating the final outcome
The discomfort is widespread an
means trouble. The poor already hav
trouble at their doors, and many
them desire TO lay it at the doors
the rich, especilly since they see this
the rich men, while recognizing tn
utility Of organization, deny the poe
the right TO work for them if Organii
ed. and by superior might, aided b
many misguided individuals with emf
ty rocket books, named "strike breal
ers have practically destroyed the NJ