The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-01-18
OF the High Cost Of Living
These Days as Shown by
One Writer.
lBy w. NJ. NJ

4 After reading the different YER
slons Of the causes OF the prevailing
high prices of commodities, all bf
which have a direct bearing upon
1.-THE subject.5it occurs 20 me that
there are still other causes that
have been overlooked by most of
the writer's, which think shonld be
considered in the2"sum total" OF the
real cause of the present economtc
conditions. gIgr i.
/ In dealing with this problem we
mast not overlook the fact that all
commodities are produced by labor.
and that the price of the labor is
bound to influence the price OF its
products, and every demand for an
increase in wages, is a demand for
a higher price of products. The
laws of economics will see to it that
a high price of labor, win be prompt
ly met with corresponding price
of the products OF labor. Il
Twenty years ago when labor was
only about one-half as high as i
row is, all classes IF commodities,
We're corresponeingly low, and tho
family Of the laborer could live as
comfortably on his wages as nov ! !.
Let US bear in mind that tho
money power controls the price Of
iall the factory products, and every
demand made upon them for an in
crease in wages BY Tabor is MET by
an increase in the price OF the
products of that LAHORE the corpora
ton is not going to lose anything
by raise of wages, but the CON
sumor will.
/ Let US Illustrate in another way.
Not long since the telegraph opera
tors of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road made a demand for an increase
in wages, and the o R. 7. gave no.
ttice that unless their demands We're
acceded to, general strike would
follow The railroad came to
terms, but to keep even with. Its en-
ployees it promptly laid off most all
assistant operators and put upon the
ones retained the work that all did.
You can not beat a big corporation
lin a game of finance, and it would
be as well for employees to accept
that fact. If they should gain their
demands, somebody else than the
corporation will bear the loss to the
company. Corporations are said to
be "soulless," but / am convinced
that labor would gain more from
capital by gentle means than
Through long strikes; and if labor
unions would dismiss their bread
and butter" leaders, thes would
have much less trouble, and fare
better by the corporations.
The real facts concerning hard
times in Harrison county at least,
are that If the laborers would all
use their earnings to better adj
vantage, they would have little cause
for complaint. 1t is fair to say that
more then half the earnings of the
coal miners in the region of MIS-
Glare is spent for strong drink; and
much of the balance is spent in
gaming at pool tables and bowling
alleys. "5 a,str, ~ ..
We have a few men here who
spend ali their earnings at these
tables, and others who can better
afford it are spending comfortable
fortunes and sleepless nights rolling
these balls-the noise OF which. dis
turbs the sleep of all who are YG ulF
fortunate as to be located near iths
alleys, Resides these things, our
people from all parts of the state are
spending fortunes in travelling. OF
course these items do not enter. into
the price of commodities, but they,
do enter into the cost of living, as II.
also enters into the hardships en-
dured by many OF the wives and
children who look to these men for
their support
But to get back to the labor ques-
ton. Ten years ago when the big
boom Just struck Clarksburg and
mechanics worked at normal wages,
the prices of commodities were equal
ly low, and Gve-room cottage could
be rented at $40 per month; bur
when unions were formed and the
price of all skilled labor was doubled
with reduction of two hours on a
days work, how quick the rent of
the houses shot skyward from $40.
to $40 per month. This was but
natural. No landlord would rent a
house that cost $4,000 to build for
the same he would for one that cost