Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-02-21
BISHOPS FoR MINIMUM WAGE.

"A ton, d. c. a few days ago. on the vital subject of
labor standards in the after-war period 1t bore the
names Of the four Catholic Bishops. who constitute the
Administrative Committee Of the National War Council
OF the Catholic church in this country.
In their report Bishops Peter j. Muldoon. OF Illinois,
Joseph schrembs Of Ohio William 7. Russell Of South
Carolina and Auxiliary Bishop Patrick j. Hayes Of New
York adopt without any clrcumlocutons perhapses
or Ifs" labor reconstruction program Of greatest
significance to everyone
First Of all they declare in favor Of minimum wage
schedules asserting that the rate OF pay has
not increased faster than the cost Of living, and that
moreover "a considerable majority Of eaners both
men and women were not receiving living wages when
prices began TO rise in 1915"
"Even II the great majority Of workers" the Bishops
committee said were In receipt Of more than liv-
ing wages there good reasons why rates Of pay
should be lowered. After ALL living wage is not
necessarily the full measure Of justice. All the Catholic
authorities on the subject explicitly declare that this is
only the minimum of justice In a country rich as
ours there are very few in which is possible
90 prove that the worker would be getting than
that 10 which he has right If he were paid something
in excess Of this ethical minimum
The Minimum Wage Bill now before the Senate Labor
Committee asks for legal recognition Of this "ethc9l
minimum" in behalf Of those most in need OF this pro-
tection the women and child workers OF this State
The answer to This modest request the part Of
tain employers IS that h means the setting up Of an
naustion with powers TO inspect payrolls and pene-
irate trade secrets.
When pressed for further calculation OF the way
IN which the trade secrets" are TO be appropriated
the inquirer that IL will happen through those
who are associated on either The proposed minimum
wage commission or on the wage boards, the latter
with their equal quotas OF employers, employees and
public representatives AS the employers representa-
tves on a wage board win be drawn from the partlou-
lar trade or industry which Is being investigated 10 IS
absolutely certain say the critics. that the employers
representatives will instantly set about destroying
smother in businessl
The stubborn facts Of the case are that nowhere has
this caamtous thing happened in any State country
where minimum wage legislation has been tried though
the same fears and apprehensons have been played
by the opposition wherever the forward-lookins have
introduced the subject Of the minimum wage for public
consideration.
II an ounce OF fact is worth ton OF fiction It is
right here that solid fact may be brought forward for
Inspection
In a statement by Rabbi Samuel A. Rabnowitz pub
lished by local contemporary on Sunday. February
&C. reference was made by actual experience OF minimum
wage legislation as follows:
I'm Victoria where the law is only a temporary one,
10 has been re-enacted Ave times successfully, each
occasion with the entire approval often upon the re-
quest Of the employers"
but it will drive business out OF the State" say the
tmid and fearful; to which the INSCRIPTIONS who are
not paying a living wage say: Amen"
I'VE favor the creation Of a state Minimum Wage
Commission declare the Associated Merchants and
Manufacturers Of New York State.
1--WE won't have an lnqulsitlon; we won't be inter
fered with" certain Delaware employers object.
1T is extremely dangerous for states and Governments
to cling TO the old theory that the question wages IS
TO be settled between employer and employe without
government Interference says Dr. Rabinowitz, repre-
sentlng the dlsinterested public.
Members Of the Consumers League who are advo-
ating the Minimum Wage Bill have repeatedly explained
hat their aim is not TO hurt legitimate business but
Increase the efficiency and morale Of the workers They
10 not claim that the minimum wage is panacea but
hey do claim, and with some reason that where II has
een given fair trial neither employers nor employees
want TO return to the old conditions.
But let the Bishops speak again: To bring about even
moderate reforms both capital and labor must get new
Viewpoint"
The aborer must come to realize that he owes his
employer and society honest days work in return
for fair wage and that conditions cannot substant-
tally improved until he roots out the desire get maxi
mum return for a minimum Of service. The capitalist
needs 10 learn the ongforgotten truth that wealth
stewardship; that prontmakng is not the basic justin
cation Of business enterprise that there are such things
as fair profits fair interest and fair prces that the
laborer is human being not merely an instrument OF
production, and that The aborers right TO decent live
hhood is the first moral charge on industry"
"a decent livelihood the irst moral charge IN In
dustry."
Legal sanction Of that sentiment in the nieres, y, |
women and minors Industry, the passage OF the
Minimum Wage Bill.
The chorus reveals multitude OF shns that ara old