The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-08-10
TAFT-WALSH BOARD WILL
NOT SET STANDARD WAGE
Conditions Too Uncertain Neither Employees Nor
Labor Leaders Favorable to Such Action Now.
Labor and Capital Will Be Cautious.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8.-Although
the national and International Off
GERS of the metal trades unions are
in session here to discuss the question
of standard wage level in war indus
tries it may be predicted now that no
nationwide standard wage will be
set.
The National War Labor board
adopted, early this week, a resolution
opposing the fixing Of general wage
standards, in terms of money, at this
time.
The resolution is important enough
to be repeated here in full It reads:
Time Is Inappropriate.
"Resolved, That the National War
Labor board. deems it an appropriate
time to invite the attention Of en-
ployers and workers alike to the
wisdom OF composing their differences
in accord with. the principles govern
ing the National War Labor board,
which were approved by the Presi-
dent in his proclamation Of April 8.
THAT this war is not only a. war Of
arms, but also a war of workshops; a
competition in the quantitive produc-
ton and distribution of munitions
and war supplies: contest in indus
trial resourcefulness and energy.
Period Not Normal.
THAT the period of the war is not
a normal period Of industrial expan-
sion from which the employer should
expect unusual profits or the employe
abnormal wages; that it is an inter-
regum in which industry is pursued
only for the common cause and for
common ends.
>'"That capital should only have such
reasonable returns as will assure it's
use for the worlds and the nations
cause, while the physical we'll being
of labor and it's physical and ment; |
effectiveness, in a comfort reasonable
in view of the exigencies of the war,
should likewise be assured.
Takes Great Care
THAT this board should be careful
in it's conclusions not to make orders
in this interregnum based on ap-
proved views of progress in normal
times, which, under normal conditions
might seriously impair the present
economic structure of our country.
THAT for the present the board or
tits sections should consider and de.
eide each case involving these prin-
ciples on its particular facts, and re.
serve any general rule of decision until
its judgments have; been sufficiently
numerous and their operations suf.
ficiently clear to make generaliza.
lions safe"
Taft Prepared Statement.
Needless to remark that the Ian
guage was drawn up by William
Howard Taft. It reflects the desire
of himself and the five employers or
the board to play for time, before
agreeing that any definite amount il
a fair minimum wage in the United
States today. Also, it expresses thei]
belief that it is better to give wha
amounts to "health and comfort
standard of wages in a long series O.
cases coming before the board, dur
ing the war, than to grant even tn
average of these awards to all of tn
underpaid workers.
Then why did Frank P. Walsh ant
the five labor members of the board
drop the minimum wage plan an<
accept the Taft motion?
Not Ready to Say.
Probably because they were no
ready to say that any particula
amount of money represents fai
minimum wage for any worker
These are days of rapid change-al
most of revolution in the industries
Wages that were extravagant las
month may be low this month. Me,
are demanding a higher standard o
family expenditure. They find tina
they can use better food, better cloth
ing, more money for trips out o
town on Sunday, and more none,
for lodge or trade union and church
Schooling costs more than it used t.
cost. Labor-saving machinery in tn
kitchen has become a necessity.
b All this is additional to the big fac
that every item of food and clothin
and shelter has kept going up i
| price. Profiteering continues. Wage
will go up as long as prices go up, an
| then as long as the standard of Twin
moves upward.
So both sides let go their hold O
the minimum wage fixing plan a
the same moment.
The employers imagine that ate
the war they will be able to get
clearer idea of just what they wi
have to pay. In the back of thei
minds is notion, probably, that wag
AT TTIEs'ZELDA FOUR DAYS