The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-10

where wages are earned has been decreas Ing Tn almost inverseration with the in crease in wages
 WATCHING THE LABORING MEN business man who has been sucess- Iui as coal merchant entered into a conversation day or two ago with man whom he did not know. but with whom in the cordiality of the holiday season he made brief acquaintance He learned rom this man that he was one or the executives of a labor organiza- ton whose members consist of laborers who work at almost menal employment TOT the city, not the street cleaners, but others employed in street paving re- pairing and like vacations. This Ilabor union leader or sub-leader confessed frankly that it was his duty to watch these employees of the city and see to 1t that not one of them passes the min mum standard of production or work. None IS allowed to do more work than the least competent of the workmen can do. None is allowed to work rapidly. and the reason for policy of this kind IS frankly stated to be the belief that if work is not speeded up to it's highest capacity then more workmen can be em- ployed.
 In the offices of one of the railroad companies whose terminal is upon the Hudson river, there are employed now in one department alone 60 clerks. They do not work at high speed. They take things easily, but they accomplish no more, even less, than did the four clerks who were formerly employed in this de- apartment who have seen with some Amazement under federal railroad admin istration their number increased until TOW it is 60. The efficiency is less, the expense, of course, is much greater and for this condition it is presumed that the railroad administration is itself respon- sible
 AS TT IS WITH THE RAILROADS
 In other parts of the country there pre- vails to greater or less extent a simi- lar condition. In New York city the employed who have been working in the garment manufacturing industry have denied the public statement made by the employees that they have broken their contracts and assert on the contrary that they are justified in demanding 30 per cent increase in wages, although an in- crease of 50 per cent was allowed and set forth in the terms of ,he contract which were entered into last June.
 Notwithstanding the increase of 50 per cent, production fell off, and by reason of strikes it is falling off to still greater extent. It is asserted on good authority that the employees in this in- oustry are not permitted to produce more than certain stated amount of work
 
 disposed, produce almost twice as much as they are doing. Here, also, notwith- standing increase in wages. production has fallen off.
 There does seem to be a disposition among the skilled artisans in the steel industry to make efficiency count, and to bring forth production to the limit of their strength and ability, but many of the skilled artisans in this industry now nave good understanding of the fact that greater efficiency and larger the produc- ton means increase of earnings, although increased production may also mean re- duced cost to consumers.
 THE GREAT PERIL
 Sir George Paish. England's abest the oreticai and practical economist, who is now this country, asserts that his purpose in visiting the United States now IS to learn whether it will be pos sib'e Tor this country to supply Europe, not Great Britain, but especially France and Italy, and the new nations of cen trai Europe, needed funds and credit. He IS not visiting the United States for the purpose of/setting in motion anything which by private initiative or corporation may be able to furnish the funds that are needed.s He is simply anxious to learn whether we< are in position to aid suffering Europe, and he intimates that if we de aid Europe then there will
 
 States.
 Probably before Sir George returns to Europe he will learn from some who manage our industries, great and small. | that for them the most serious question of the moment is how best to overcome the present day tendency among those who work for wages to demand higher and then again higher wages. while at the ] same time producing less. If he makes Inquiry Of the presidents of some of our savings banks he will discover that wage ale now enjoying the wearing of expensive garments. the indulging in various luxuiies heretofore unknown to , them.
 Nobody objects to the prevalence of this ! provided with it also goes ! ar earnest endeavor to gain the highest possible effit iency and to secure the i, greatest possible production or output /. For many of the wage-earners seem not ] to realize that present conditions are [ only temporary unless American produc- Lson and efficiency be specded up to it's .I.