Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-01
WAGE BOOST MAKES MEN
LAZY, SAY EMPLOYERS
Continued from Page One

| Continued from Page One
| as reported to US, is so unsatisfactory that
| there is tendency on their part to curtail
| operations until they can be conducted un.
| der more favorable conditions, and there Is
a deep feeling that unless better results are
obtained from days work it is useless for
| this country to try to compete for the
worlds trade"
Arthur II. Post, assistant agent, In the
| absence of Mr.. Austin, who is in Washing,
| ton today, said that a 30-day Investigation
| just completed indicated q most alarming
situation.
"The letters which we have been receIy-
ing from manufacturers throughout this
district are virtually alike in their criti-
clsm of labor conditions. EMPLOYERS report
to us that with the increase of wages has
come relaxation of effort on the part of
employees. Men are working four or five
days week instead of six, material costs
have increased, overhead charges remain
to be reckoned with and general wage in
crease has followed, Most manufacturers re-
port that 1t will soon be impossible TO
maintain their plants unless an advance is
made in selling prices.
1T is evident" he continued, that labor
has failed to recognize the crisis which is
confronting it. Labor has cut of its nose
to spite its face. The result will be a deep
reorganization of industry and flindamen-
tai change in the relations between capital
and labor at the close of the war.
MUNITIONS MEN ASSAILED.
Another complaint that has been voiced
by numerous manufacturers, especially
those who employ machnists is that the
munition manufacturers have been conduct
ing nefarious campaign to take their hest
employees from them.
I'VE have received letters of complaint
in which 1t Is set forth that the munltion
interests not only maintained employment
offices. but went so far as to most agents
Ia nj nj m str
among the men. These circulars told In
alluring terms the large wages which the
muniton plants were offering and the other
advantages which would follow employment
in the larger plants. In some instances
they even sent back to their former places
of employment men whom they had sue
ceeded in Turing away. with their pay en-.
velopes as bait to draw more men from
the local plants"
''The conditions which exist today are
fraught with danger to the eontFy. Labor
has failed to recognize this. and 1t is great
ly to be feared that labor viii be the chief
sufferer when conditions again return to
the normal, Wages must come down they
are now abnormal. Manufacturers appre-
cate the danger that turks In the failure 1
Of labor to grasp the situation, but they are
helpless, The conditions today are truly
startling
WASHINGTON, June 1.-"Buslness ac-
tiyity in the United States has perhaps
reached the maximum Of the present move,
ment," the Federal Reserve Boards monthly
bulletin. out today. says
Among reasons given are
Orders covering factory outputs TO the
end OF the year.
A more cautious attack as to the future.
Considerable unrest on the part OF labor,
even where most highly compensated.
A slightly less favorable outlook for some
Of the growing eFeps,
On the other hand, the report SAYS,
Mines and oil wells are sxceedingly
active, wv
Lumber and building show great activity.
Railroad earnings are generally excellent.
Postofies and similar receipts are al a
ms 1imum everywhere.