The sun., 1912-08-04

capital from these propositions the fol.
lowers OF Marx drew the conclusion that
ca pital the representative of past labor -
should bc subordinate to the workingmen
who are the representatives of present
real labor and whose labor impressee
value on the new product while it pro-
notes the increase of capital.
The success of MARKHAM ideas and Of
the followers of Marx was due in large
measure to the peculiar conditions Of the
labor problem in countries with large
scale industrial production on the one
hand and to the indifferent attitude Of the
state to this problem for long time on
, tn" other.
Though existing data on the dcy clop-
ment Of industrial life in England. Ger
many and the United States show con-
stant rise Of average welfare. they contain
at tho same time sufficient evidence OF
the immense growth OF large fortunes Of
a few indiy iduals and also of a consider
able number of too insignificant fortunes
and incomes which are not sufficient to
satisfy the most elementary wants Of the
workingmen and their families. Thus
side by side with the excessive and con-
stantly increasing wealth OF few indi-
viduals there is still to be found the most
abject misery in the lower strata Of the
working population. and the cultural
progress Of European nations is still un-
accompanied by general welfare.
The limits OF the application OF labor
have been extended. labor is becoming
even higher in quality. but the degree OF
material welfare and security OF the repre-
sentatives OF labor. the workingmen. in
| the majority of cases remains very low.
The lowest possible wages and the longest
possible working day are often made the
falsely understood basis Of the increase of
profits; low wages are sometimes preferred
! to the skill OF the worker; no care ia taken
of the moral development or of the techni-
cal education Of the latter. Machine pro-
duction which does not require in the
majority of cases considerable physical
force induces the manufacturers and capi-
talists to employ women and children.
, Abuse of the system of fines and deduc-
tions is not rare; inferior products are
sold on credit at higher price in stores
belonging to the employers in order to
lower the wages Of the workingmen; some
capitalists erect dwellings which are be-
low hygienio and sanitary requirements
and which are rented to workingmen at
comparatively high prices.
The dependence and insecurity which
are inevitable under such circumstances
are increased during periods of COM
mercial and Industrial stagnation. over
production and financial difficulties. when
the weakest of the competing firms and
those loss skilfully managed are forced
to cease work; then come tho woful
days OF unemployment which under
mine the very roots Of the welfare Of the
working masses. leading in turn to tho
depreciation of labor which employers
take advantage Of.
The phenomena described arc not
general. hut their existence and in some
places their widespread chara cter cannot
be doubted To this should be added
the concentration ~ tho working mn sscs
in the industrial centres. which leads to
overcrowding and unsatisfactory sani-
tAry conditions. tho result Of which il
. considerable amount OF illnesy.