New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-15
OUTLAWS TARIFF MALTA
RedfieId Warns Against Venge-
full Wage Reductions.
PUNISHMENT THREATENED
Department of Commerce Will
Interfere-Era Of Manhood.
Says Secretary.

Washington, May 1f-Tn line with the
announced attitude OF President Wilson.
Secretary R,ddeld OF thu Department of
Commerce voiced tonight warning 10
business interests that the COVE nment
stood ready 10 Investigate what might APP
pear To be reprisais upon worklnemen
following the passage Of the Democratic
tariff bill Speaking before the National
Association of Employing Lithographcrs
here. the Secretary read cycular the
association members had issued predict
Ing lire consequences for worklngm'n.
tie told them fatty if their prediction
were carried into effect be would prompt
ly investigate.
N I grasp the public mind az all
clearly" DE- said lit holds uuiavOrahle
views toward reduction OF wages except
under the dircst necessity. The depart
uent has undertaken 10 ind out whether
the facts do or do not justify the threat
ened reduction
observe that iu saving tine facts one
does not merely mean the facts ~ they
are. but also the facts as they ought 10
be. Operating with bad equipment. with
unscicntac treatment of material. with
antiquated methods. IN poor locations
with insufficient capital and generally IN
effective management will not he esteemed
a satisfactory reason FOR reducing wages
Quoting from the association circular
referring to tariff reduction in the fol-
lowing terms. This means Torkmen
thrown out OF jots. 10 means that wages
must 40 down in order 20 compete. II
may mean longer hours than forty eight
hours ii week" Secretary Kedheld said
IF the words I have quoted are pat
into effect by sou in "a substantial DE-
gree. it may become the duty Of the De
partment OF Commerce 10 inquire into
Your business methods"
Mr. Redhcld declared that public s"ntl-
mcnt had revOlted against the oldtiWe
idea that an employers business and his
employees were mis- own to do with as he
wished.
1T is not too much TO say that public
! opinion demands that operatives shall re-
| celve living wage" he said and 50
/ far as possible. continuous employment
that they b. freed from arbitrary reduc-
lions and that they work under healthful
, COEGltlONF. ne it'p4' i''iEN 'i'''' ~
treatment Of the operatives as men ana
women with minds and souls, and not as
machines"
/ The gospel OF self-respect and oil
| Amer team manhood is making rs way
; continued the Secretary, and the daN o'
| industrial fear is passing. II Is my nope
| SO far as / can. to aid and not 10 hinder
American Industry ! believe that Tor II
dav OF freedom has just begun ana
that we are shaking off the shackes OF a
real industrial slavery 10 enter upon the
arena of free competition, strong atm
| letic and vigorous. In which our business
Will be stronger and safer and in when
we shall be- happier than before
1T is important that we. as business
mon. should know that business opinion
and public opinion are two different
things. If they are not In accord II IS
IN for business The purpose Of the De
partment Of Commerce will be TO BRING
The mower Of public opinion to the sup
mort Of legitimate business"
lin hard case is he that Stands pat
for the world will go by him and leave
him standing" said the Secretary, clos
| ing.