The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-31
HEOWOSSO TINES
KDMUND O. DEWEY. PROP.
OWOSSO, MICH. AUG. 81, 1917.
The Tariff and tho WorkInaman.


That the American workingman is
the best paid. the best fed. best clothed,
best housed ard best treated working
men in the world is true beyond ques-
ton. What has made him so9 The
answer is plain and obvious: The
American policy of Protection. Under
the operation of that policy for the
greater part Of the last century and
quarter the opportunities for profitable
labor have been increased to an extent
not known in any other country.
Wages have reached the highest mark
and the standard of living has been far
above that of any other country.
But, says the American Free-Trader,
"the American workingman is in
reality no gamer by all this. His higher
wages are offset by his higher cost of
living. In reality he is no better off
than are the workirgmen of lower wage
countries. What q Protective Tariff
puts in one pocket 10 taken out of the
other pocket b. the increased cost of
everything he has to buy" Now, If
this were true, it would end all argu'
ment in favor of Protection. But it is
not true. Exactly the reverse is true.
The clearest possible proof of the
fact that q Protective Tariff always
operates directly to the advantage, OF
the wage Garner is to be found by con-
trssting the conditions surrounding
American workers with the conditions
of the wage earners of Free-Trade Great
Blitian. The most positive and con.
elusive testimony bearing on this sub.
ject that has ever appeared in print Is
that which is embodied in the report
of the Mosely Industrial Commission
which in the latter part OF 1902 came
to the United States, by authority of
the British government, to make
thorough investigation and report of
economic facts regarding American
labor conditions-wsges, cost of living,
mode of living, opportunities for saw
ing, etc. This commission was made
up of men representing wide range
of British industries; men of practical
knowledge and ample experience in
their respective fields of industry. The
chairman of the commission was Mr.
Alfred Mosely, one of the foremost
publicists of the United Kingdom;
man of mark, philanthropist, stu.
dent OF social problems
In a volume of 800 pages the testi.
mony obtained and the findings reached
by the Mosely Commission are set forth
in detail. It is a publication of ex
ceptionsl Importance and interest. In
another part of this issue of American
Economist we present many extracts
from the Mosely report, including the
testimony and Judgment of the various
members of the commission regarding
the condition of American workers az
compared with that Of their British
brethren in similar branches of indus.
try. The questions and answers tell
the story with force and directness.
Here are some samples:
10. Speaking generally, are there
greater opportunities for the laborine
man to rise in America than in Eng
landi
Answer: Yes, many more.
"a. Are the American workers better
fed than the English.
Answer: AS whole, yes.
How does the price of food in Amer.
lea compare with that in England9
Answer: The difference is little; If
anything, 1t is cheaper.
IS. Are the American workers bet.
Ter clothed than the Englishf
Answer: Taken generally. much
better.
90. Are the American workers bet
ter housed than the Epglishf
Answer: Yes.
81. How does the average wage In
your trade in America, expressed in
money, compare with the average wage
in England.
Answer: About 40 per cent higher.
%. How does the value Of the Amer
lean wage compare with that Of the
English. cost Of living being taken into
ACCOUNT
Answer: Cost of food is no higher.
The chief difference is in rent; making
allowance for that, the American lie
fully 25 per cent better of.
30. Can the careful, sober, steady
man. whilst keeping himself efficient,
save more in America than Euglandf
Answer: Yes.