El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-11-26
EFFICIENCY ON PART OF WORKERS
WILL BRING UP THE WAGE SCALE

= c. TAYLOR, Of the Texas School Of Mines, lid
Ne down the fundamental principle in economics at the
minimum wage hearing IN Fl PasO last week. when he de-
cared that the wage who is not contributing the
worth Of his wage in increased wealth IS burden on
society.
Sc might have gone further and said with equal truth
that the Garner is entitled only 70 the share Of the
wealth be creates
me injustice Of many wage scales is that the efficient
and inefficient share alike aIts all IN days work. is
expression that covers multitude Of the shortcomings
Of unionsm- The employer OF today who has foresight
IS willing to pay his workers vel forshe wealth they ere
ate for the they create the he profits It is
for this that capital is ready and willing to pay for
efficiency.
It was brought out at the wage hearing that in E
PzsO wages Of women workers vary from So to $40 a
week If these wages based the scale Of efficiency
and It IS fair to presume that they are are
five times as valuable their employers others It
also shown that employers prefer high paid labor anu
use only the lower class because Of their inability to get
efficient workers. They all admitted that well paid labor
valuable than cheap Labor il proportion to the
wages paid. In other words they found that woman
who could command SO week was more valuable than
two women who could make but g week.
Efficiency commands higher wages today than ever be
fore This Is not altogether due TO the plane Of
wages but rather to the awakening Of employers to the
fact that inefficient workers liability rather than
asset There Is in modern industry for the
man who cannot produce his wage IN wealth But
for the man who can add to his employers income the
possibilities constantly increasing lie employer need
be guided By arsc motive in paying handsomely for
the services Of who, by their energy and efficiency,
adding his wealth. It is plain business PROPOSE
awakening the fact that its opportunity lies in eff
dency, not IN syndicahsm
ne purpose Of the minimum wage law is to protect
women workers from avaricious employers and IN some
localities It doubt purpose. But IN FL Paso
where there is such vast difference in the worth Of
workers the minimum wage is likely to work hardship
on the very ones It seeks help No law change the
natural Of the stream which leads the efficient to
their reward but law bar from industry those who
are unable to compete with their fortunate sisters
The remedy lies not in wage laws, bit IN the training
efficiency Of the submerged class Of workers who are
not now capable OF making themselves worth living wage
II would therefore that the part Of wisdom for
society to bend its efforts toward making the worker
worth his wage rather than seeking to make capital pay
for what It does not get Tor these days the efficient
worker need not fear lack Of reward. Business oompe
ton assures him that And the only hope Of the inef
Gent N self Improvement aided by whatever means
society may devise.
r E Thomson would make good governor Besides
that It would be fine thing &c have Fl Pass man for
chief executive Of the state.
Burlesou stands good chance Of rewinniug popularity
If he reduces first class postage charges from two cents
to one.