The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-26

a result of the inflated prices
l. and wages which resulted from
the European conflict and the relation
OF these radical changes to the future
are admirably analysed in the book of
Leonard Blakey, which he entitled
Has Labor Carried Its War Bur-
den2"
He finds that some classes of labor,
notably the shipyard workers, have
profited unduly by the war. At the
door of those who were supposed to
have so -patriotically toiled to build
"the bridge of ships" and thereby
gained wages which were in times of
peace considered almost fabulous. he
lays the blame of much of the present
Industrial unrest.
Or. William H. Nichols in recent
address urged upon the workingman
that he make research his motto and
by thoroughly understanding the in
dustry in which he was enrolled be
better prepared to consider the matter
'9t wages. For both the man who
works with his hands and the man
Who uses more of the mental energy
end less of the physical there is much
that will prove helpful in this care
fully prepared study of Mr.. Blakey.
He draws the line so sharply between
the kind of wages which are largely
absorbed in meat and butter and eggs
and the wages which are surplus and
may be turned into automobiles and
music machines that to grasp the
~ III a,rnIN Go
founded one should begin with him on
common ground. Those of the middle
class which adhere 10 no union and
have no great capital especially will
find much in which to bring them to
Q thorough understanding of this eco
nomic mill, between the upper and
neither millstones of which they are
being constantly ground.
Workers PROFIT Abnormal.
1.-THE question is" asks Mr.. Blakey,
Ibid all the workers profit immoder-
ately from the necessities Of war?
Boards OF health both in the large
cities and the large industrial centres
report significant changes in the living
conditions of the workers. The new
conditions one finds are the influence
OF the high cost of living on the fam
lily dietary. and particularly on the
child's dietary, many women forced
into industry to add to the family in
come, debts incurred to meet the high
cost Of living. and an increasing num-
Der of families either taking in board
ers TO supplement the family income
or dependent upon charity, and a re-
adjustment of amusements, clothing
and insurance by the family"
The investigator finds, for instance
that In a survey Of 2,1OO families mad,
by the New York City Department Of
Health. that 81 per cent. of them haC
eliminated meat entirely from theil
diet and that 43 per cent had ceased
to buy eggs. In nearly ope-third OF
these families the use of milk wal
either eliminated, considerably reduced
or loose milk substituted for the bot
tLad. Hence, in some cases at least
-ae war has not resulted Gin unright-
.ous wages" as he puts 1t, but in pTi
walton. suffering and in hungry chill
dren.
He defines proflteering as the taking
of an exorbitaat profit and also tn
ltAQoeilJ III view VI lllS OuIutllS VI III
war. to accept a constant, or declin
ing. real wages"
1T is very apparent" he continues
that enormously high money doe
not necessarily indicate well being oil
the part Of tho worker. Wages are
after all, measured by what they buy
II the living costs have doubled tn
workers money wage must be double
to guarantee that no change shall b
made in the standard of living. Rea
wages are the actual commodities tina
the money wages will buy"
1914 as Basis.
Mr.. Blakey uses as the base yea
for his calculations the year 1914 an
employs the data Of the United state
Bureau of Labor Statistics whic
show that from December. 1914. I
December, 1913, the cost OF living ha
risen II per cent. TIE food, high as
s., Is only reckoned as two-flfths n
the family budget, being put down n
retail prices and rent; fuel, light an,
clothing and sundrles are also taIra
into account. Under sundrles he oIa,
SITES expenditures for insurance, ed,
cation, amusement, physicians Re,
ana various miscellaneous expend
lures. These five leading items OF o,
psndathres are carefully adjusted