The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-07-18
WELFARE OF man
Social Progress More important
Than Material.
AN OLD THEORY EXPLODED.
Cheap Labor Does Not Necessarily
Mean Low Wages-Workers Who
Have High Standards of Living the
Most Economical Producers.

Most Economical Producers.
The daily press has heralded the pol
lev of the International Harvester
twine mill in its determination to
move it's plant abroad to escape de
mands for higher wages and fewer
hours of work. The employees of the
company struck in order to enforce
their demand for an eight hour day
and for minimum wages The mill
owners refused to agree to these terms
and told the employees that the mills
would be operated on the old basis or
dismantled and removed. There is in
this dictatorial attitude of the employ
ers an air of superiority, Of masterful
determination to coerce the weaker
that rouses the resentment of a free
born man.
Capital has been referred to as
though it were the most important fac
tor in industrial affairs and general
prosperity. Out of this conception
grew the idea that capital must not be
offended must be accorded concessions
and privileges because of its supposed
power of final control. This disparity
in the consideration paid to those who
employ and those who are employed
has touched most keenly the sense of
justice innate in those with insight and
appreciation of real values Men had
Judged progress, welfare, prosperity,
by material standards only. Now men
are beginning to realize that the hui
man side of progress, welfare and
prosperity is at least as important as
the material and must be safeguarded
conserved and protected by political
institutions at least with as much care
as capital and wealth-that is to say
living, thinking, creative person is
infinitely greater and more valuable
than that which he uses or creates.
The quickening spirit of social justice
seeks to make this newer and broader
conception part of the standards and
the controlling public will in the daily
affairs of the common life.
The threat of a powerful industrial
corporation to disrupt an industrial
community, to withdraw to a foreign
country in search of cheap labor
servie and untroubled by higher ideals
of life, comes as sort of mental cat
aclysm to those who have felt the cleo
trifying influence of the larger and
richer possibilities for human develop
ment What position can liberal and
%olv htc, In1d nn
acknowledgement that great industry
will make a world search for cheap
labor rather than agree to the stand
ards of American workingmen?
The theory formerly prevailed that
"cheap labor referred only to low
wages, an Interpretation surviving
among certain employers. A particu-
lar employer may increase his profits
by forcing down wages. but he does so
at the expense of the employees and
society. What is denied the workers
in wages must either be supplied by
society, by relief or some form of pub
lie or charitable assistance or the
standards of living must be reduced to
conform to low wages. In either case
the workers are injured--the sense OF
individual independence or initiative is
lessened and complete realization of
physical, mental and moral d vP!Cp
ment is retarded if not arrested This
results in decreasing the efficiency of
the workers, which in the last ANALYSIS
is the real test of whether wages paid
are high or low Workers who have
high standards of living. reasonable
work hours. with time for recreation
and recuperation, means and physical
strength for taking advantage of the
higher opportunities of life, possess a
creative. constructive work power that
is of infinitely greater value for real
progress than any other factor in pro
duction This statement is borne out
and verified by the most recent report
compiled and issued by the United
States bureau of foreign and domestic
commerce.
The Washington Post, described by
Golfers Weekly as that faithful serv-
ant which lays the propaganda of the
special interests before the eyes of con
gress each morning" suggests why not
move industries to India. as in the case
of the iron and steel plant erected at
Tatta some years since These skill
ed mechanics labor for 80 cents day
and labor disputes" are rare.
As the markets are organized today
on a world basis, competition of this
sort would tend to undermine Ameri
can industries and American standards
of living. 1t would be well for men to
pause and think deeply before they an
prove this threat of the Internationa
Harvester company. The spirit am
the ideals back of this threat are mar
row. selfish unjust. uneconomic and
not only unpatriotic, but treacherouS
In the extreme to the interests of the
country nud the civilization of our
time. such rs cannot prevail among en-
i"htened free people The workers
" the United States will resist any
srch artiguated. reactonary attitudn
pnd win We supported by all those who
hive felt the thrill of the newer ideals