Arizona republican., 1919-01-22
The Minimum Waqe

No reasonable objection could be offered to the action the house took yesterday morning in postpon- ing a consideration of the womens minimum wage bill for one week instead proceeding in the com mlttee of the whole upon course that would have insured it's early passage defeat. For if the bill had then been voted upon would almost certainly be passed or indefinitely postponed today.
 There were certain statements made by the pro ponents of the measure that admitd. It is true that if the bill proposes an increase of 100 per cent in the minimum wage passed by the legislature two years ago. the increase in the cost of living within perhaps not that period, but within a comparatively brief period, increased more than 100 per cent
 But there is another side of the case the side affecting employers but employees and it that that some of those who favored delay wished to look into An increase of s10 week oyer wage of that amount is perty sharp one; one calculated to startle en- poyers. And when is startled he frequently does unexpected things A very natural thing for an en- poyer of women to do in the of such law would be to substitute, wherever possible man for woman employe for there in Arizona doubt hundreds of women in positions for which could be quickly found at less than s20 week
 There are, of course, some positions occupied by women of such character that they be filled by men but such are probably already receiv- ing as much as the proposed minimum wage. There are also many women competent that the value of their services has already been recognized by their employers.
 But there far women and girls filling positions which require special training ability cashiers in restaurants clerks in shops attendants in professional offices all of whose places could be filled on an hours notice, by boys or young men,
 Employers might take another and more favor able view of the matter and decide accept the law and it's attendant increase of expense of operation
 
 is matter concerning which the advocates of delay want to inform themselves if employers generally should not take that favorable view, some hundreds of in Arizona would be thrown out of employ ment and comparatively few would be benefited. thing, though may be regarded as certain: the en- ployer is not going to pocket additional cost Of operation if he help it. He is going either to avoid it or make somebody else pay it.
 We believe with the author of the bilI that what girl can is not to be considered" Rather we agree with what the author but perhaps stated little toe broadly. We the first thing to be considered is decent standard of living not only for the girl but for every wage worker and that is the idea now being adopted by all sane people We believe that the employer should compelled to pay such q decent sufficient wage then pass on to the public the business of paying it the public pays other costs of operation People should no longer be nsuf- ficently paid, clad, fed or housed They should be permitted to enjoy reasonable comforts and be enabled to make provision for rainy days
 But the machinery for all this has not yet been set up The minimum wage bill is only part of the machinery It would not if passed certainly produce the result expected without other legislation minimum wage for boys and men; or legislation tc prevent employers from retrenchment by reducine their forces.
 But what the bill aims at may be reached pending the installation of complete machinery by the cooperation of employers majority of the members of the house evidently want to inquire how such proposed law may be given the effect de- sired.