Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-03-03
LIVING STANDARDS.

We quote the following editorial from the Worl
Frs Chronicle, published in this city:
The attempt to reduce wages by appealing
to the workers sense of fairness reveals the
hypocrisy and cant of those who talk about "a
square deal"
The workers are told that capital (meaning
capitalists) and labor must both sacrifice in this
period of REIMBURSEMENT"
Coupon clippers and money lenders favor
the plan, as do editors and so-called economists
who talk about natural laws and publicsts
who wag their heads in owlish wisdom.
When these modern sages and seers say
"capital (capitalists) and labor must make sac
rifice," they would have folks believe that when
the capitalist abandons wartime profits his
living standards are lowered.
These profits have been so stupendops,
especially in the basic industries, that the inge-
nuity of the most skilled accountants have been
tested to conceal them.
Despite nationwide propaganda on high
wages government figures show that wages to-
day or at any time during the war, have not
made pre-war living standards possible.
A large portion of the press ignores this fact,
while it prints crude editorials on "silk -shirtcd
workingmen;" economists with eye on the
Carnegie pension fund assemble figures to plead
the cause of those they would serve and univer-
sity presidents, hoping for a million-dollar en-
dowment attack high wages. But in no in
stance are the governments figures challenged.
When a capitalist talks about less profits,
this does not mean less wholesome food and
warm clothing for himself and family.
But less wages mean instant lowering of
the workers living standards.
To the capitalist profit does not mean interest
on the money he invests, which is charge on
the industry, and is guaranteed by lien on
tl,a Ms nj orr n he q
called bonds Profits are exclusive of interest.
There is no comparison between wages and
profits.
The virtuous, unselfish pose of big bust
ness and its defenders is one OF the humors
of the hour.
The attempt of this element to be impartial
when they plead with workers to lower living
standards would be comedy if the workers wives
and children We're not involved.
In view of the fact that one or two quotations II
his editorial are taken from the Journal, we assume
hat the writer is taking gentle rap at our proposal
or stabilizing of building in Albuquerque this
ear
We are not pleading with workers to "lower living
tandards" We are pleading with thu IN % keep them
p as nearly possible.
But when there are WORKERS than worE
lleness results. Idleness does not Tower LIVING
merely, it totally destroys all standards
nd brings starvation. Labor then completes against
self for the jobs and automatically lowers wages to
large degree There is to theorize about its
then. 1t becomes gaunt and STALK
lg fact.
We seek concessions in labor and material costs
nd stabzing of the expense of building in order
, avoid that degree OF depression which places the
uildng trades at the mercy of circumstances. ..
People who are contemplating building can do
: they like about it, Unless they build there IS no
Employment at all. To so handle the local situation
5 to encourage building is the height of wisdom
rom the workman's standpoint, as we view it.
We are seeking to keep the standards of living up
the building trades by the only route which we
ecve will do 1t. -s...