The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-19
TwENTY-SIXTH INSTALLMENT
JUSTICE AND THE LABOR QUESTION

were installed In a certain shoe fac
tory. and as result there was a
heavy Increase In production even
,noash there was no increase IN the
labor force. Some OF the workmen
were instructed in the use OF thes.
machines BY special demonstrators
sent out by the makers OF the ma
chimes: These men. by reason of their
special apurOdes and the fact that
tney were not called upon TO operate
the machines continuously nine hours
every day week in and week out. but
only for an hour or so at special times.
were naturally able TO run the ma.
Snines AZ tneir maximum capacity.
Wnen these demonstrators had left
the factory, and the company's own
employees had become used 10 oper-
atins the machines at a fair rate OF
speed. the foreman of the estab lish-
inent gradually speeded the machines
and demanded a larger and still larger
output, constantly endeayoring 10
ariyt the men on TO greater exertions.
Even with a slightly less than maxi.
mum capacity. the introduction of this
macninery resulted In great increase
over former production with the same
amount or labor; and 50 great We're
the profits from the business in the
IolloWing TWO years a. TO equal the
total capitalized stock OF the company.
BUT not q cent got into the paw en-
veiope OF the workmen beyond what
g.
fore the introduction OF THIS new ma.
chinery, Notwithstanding that IL had
meant an added strain. physical and
mental. upon their energies. and thar
tney were forced TO work harder than
ever before. The whole OF the In.
creased profits remained with the
company.
Now this represented an Increase
OF efficiency" with a positive decrease
on social and Industrial justice. The
increase OF prosperity which came
Denented the wage-workers. I hold
that they were treated with gross in.
yustice, and that society, acting N
necessary through the government IN
such a case should bend its energies
synnnr, uy suen injustice; and I will
support any proper legislation that
VIII aid In securing the desired end
Don't Penalixe Efficiency.
Inc wage worker should not ONLY
receive fair treatment: he should give
TAR treatment. In order that prosper.
Ivy may De passed around IL is neces-
| sary tnat the prosperity exist. In or
uer tnat labor shall receive its fair
snare in the division of reward n is
nessecary that there be a reward IN
divide. Any proposal to reduce ef-
nIciency by insisting that the most ef-
ncient shall be limited In their OUTPUT
10 what the least efficient can do is a
proposal TO limit by so much prodne.
tlon. and therefore to impoverisb nv
so much the public and specificaIjy
70 reduce the amount that can he All.
v,1eo among the producers. This is
All wrong: Our protest must be
against unfair division of the reward
Tor production. Every encourage
ment should be given the business
man. the employer to make his busi-
ness prosperous. and therefore 10
earn more money for himself: and in
iike fashion every encoura cement
should be given the efficient work
man. We must always keep in mind
that to reduce the amount OF produc-
ton serves merely to reduce the
amount that Is to be divided. is in no
way permanently efficient as a pro-
test against unequal distribution and
Is permanently detrimental TO the en-
tire community. But Increased nro.
ouctyeness is not secured by exces-
sive labor amid unhealthy surround
ings. The contrary is true. Shorter
hours, and healthful conditions. and
opportunity for the wage worker 10
make more money and the chance
ior enjoyment as well as work. all ada
70 efciency. My contention Is that
mere should be no penalization of ef-
ncient productiveness. brought about
under healthy conditions; but thar
every increase OF production brought
ABOUT by an increase in efficiency
should benefit all the parties to il. in
Guiding wage workers as well as en-
pioyers or capitalists, men who work
with their hands as well as men who
work with their heads.
The western Federation Of Miners
with the Western Federation Of