The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-09-15
THINKS THINGS,

The American workman who in
vades the field Of Canadian labor
is bound to find conditions much
different from those Of this coun-
try. This difference consists not
only in the amount of wages paid
which is greater than would be
supposed-bnt in the less favorable
and / think less fair relation be-
tween the employer and employee.
I n Eastern Canada the average
days wages for common labor is
$1.25. Of course, the cost of liv-
ing is much less than in this coun-
try, which fact makes the differ
ence from a financial point ofview
less startling than would at first
thought appear. In the West thu
wages are considerably in excess
of that amount, but there again
the cost of living is increased in an
almost equal proportion.
Next to farming, numbering is
and no doubt will continue for
many years, the leading industry
Of Canada. Many Of the large
lumber companies in that country
own and operate their own mills
as in this country. The number
Of men employed is very large and
when men are scarce considerable
difficulty is sometimes experienced
in carrying on the work. In
order to insure the continued serv-
ice of the men engaged until the
end of the season system OF "bold
back" in wages is enforced by many
employers. An employee who for
any reason, other than sickness,
leaves the job receives only ninety
percent Of the wages for which he
was engaged. Thus, if man ia
engaged to work for ST. 5 per day
he receives Gu the regular payday
only ST.. 10 per day the remaining
fifteen cents is held back-without
his consent-untiI the season ends.
If, after working a few months,
he wishes to change employment
he invariably loses tidy sum in
this manner. This system is sell
dom employed in the large cities.
Usually in the smaller towns and
in the country. OF course, for a
man who lives in the town and de-
ponds on the company for steady
employment this condition of af-.
fairs is more favorable, as certain
percentage of his wages is thus
saved which might other wise be
spent foolishly. l have further
noticed where such system is in
practice it is next to impossible to
!, secure this back money, as no at
} torney in the same town will un-
; dertake to collect it.
A similar condition Of affairs
: confronts the farm hands in that
country, where also they are treat
ed with less consideration in gem
eral than those engaged in that
; work in this country.
: The employees of railroads there
3 are governed by a most rigid set
Of rules, as are also those of many
Of the government positions-in-
: Guiding railways and canals. Be-
: sides being physically perfect, as
far as sight, hearing and a proper
use Of the limbs are concerned, all
applicant for position on Ca
madam railroad must possess the
best credentials and anyone who
was ever discharged from any rail-
road, for any reason whatever, will
not be engaged if the fact is known.
0 Unless one is we'll known it is ex-
I tremely hard to secure steady en-
l ployment on the leading Canadian
railroads. Several years ago rule
), went iuto effect on Canadian rail-
roads Prohibiting train hands from
" caring jewelry of any kind while
on duty. Whether this rule is
still in effect | can not say. At
( the time the order was issued much
. dissatisfaction resulted.
}. The interest in outdoor sports in
4 y