The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-11-13

III
activity not exclusively for pleasure, then
you have some conception Of the breadth of the
to handle properly all of these activities Secretary
Wilson.
THE COUNTY TAX RATE.
Is it not time for some to call halt on the
county commissioners and other officials charged with
compiling the budget for st. Louis county?
The people of the county were amazed last week
when they learned through the daily papers that the
county tax rate would be increased next by fifty
per cent
This rate Is to come in the face Of the fact
that the assessed valuation Of city and county and
property been materially raised during the
past two years ..-'
county officials to be elected next year they
probably would find way to shave the county budget
and keep the tax rate down. The officials who prepare
the budget will not before the people for three
years. They will have campaign to make in 1916,
and therefore they will not be called upon to make
PLANTATION before election of the OF the Increased
rate In 1918 when they do before the people
again, predict, the tax rate will be back to normal
The county commissioners were given nfty per cent
raise in salary by the last legislature but it not
dreamed that this fact would have anything to do with
increasing the rate by nifty per cent Only minority
of the county board for election in 1916 and
probably has dawned them that they will be asked
to meet the tax issue in their campaigns:
But the issue will be raised, and they will have
particularly those whose salaries and wages remain
ing stationery why the cost of running the county is
climbing by such leaps and bounds.
We are just emerging from b. year Or more Of hard
times during which most Of forced to economize
in living expenses It 10 singular pubic officials
do not take such situation into calculate
ing the cost OF doing public business. ~:
"
FIXING WAGES AND HOURS or LABOR BY LAW
The results experienced through minimum wage
for women and children in several American staten
not very faterng, and do not speak too we'll for
the efficacy Of such legislation to materially ameorats
the condition Of labor.
Labor is beginning to recognize that after all 1t is
organization alone which enables the wage
and women-to raise their and shorten their work
day.
By organization the changes that come into working
conditions correspond to the development the lives
OF the workers. As the laborer catches vision better
things he reaches out to make them real He himself
grows In initiative in and in resourcefulness
Organization develops in the workers a knowledge
and an appreciation Of their power. It teaches them
their rights and reveals their opportunities develops
insstence and resistance.
Regulation Of wages and hours by law has tendency
to foster and induce dependence It is conducive
action-to expecting some outside authority take the
initiative In correcting wrongs preventing injustice and
to assume responsibility for existing conditions II de-
prves wage earners OF direct responsibility and
to regulate matters which vitality their lives and
their welfare
Under the American plan Of government the courts
are ultimately the agents which entrusted the
rights and liberties Of the people. This fact makes the
courts the most powerful single governmental element
The wage earners have had some bitter experiences
with having the courts interpret industrial relations
Their assumption Of the right to nunctons to
ulate labor relations in industrial disputes and their in
of tho Sherman antitrust 30 as to outlaw
labor organizations and make criminal their normal &C.
vities, are warnings against empowering courts with
authority to control Industrial relations through court
reviews and court decisions upon rulings and awards of
labor commissions. : =:
After having for years been hampered and injured
by njunctions that forbade strike to picket to
pay strike BENEFITS to meet peacefully to discuss their
wrongs and methods Of securing relief after having
denied by the courts constitutional and necessary rxhts
after the judicial opinions that
either directly or indirectly declared that the labor
OF workers necessary to the employers right to do
business and since tho right to do business has been in
terpretsd as property right tho labor power OF en-,
poyes has been to all the regulations and
interpretations intended tor property. -
todeesate to agencies control over wages
and hours Of work? = &'*:. '"
Volumes are being written about the living waxe but
have you ever heard Of tho dying wage" No! Wei,
them lsten The Federal Chdrens Bureau has discov-
cred that zb6 babies in 1000 died in homes where
fathers were receiving less than $521 and that
only SO babies IN 1000 had died Ii homes Who're Ia
father earned 700 year and over. M s."s.z
The Sast survivor of John Browna raid It H.rper,a
Ferry continues to de q a alarming rae HES dead
rxxin. BID st$s1s @77