The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-08
THE EXTRA. SESSION.


will do or fail to de- when once in ac-
ton is more or less predetermined.
1t seems almostsscertain that the Ia
Dor question will come up in some
form The unions are aroused by the
Daugherty Injunction and the position
taken by the railr cad labor board on
the living wage proposition
Prior to the var the principle of
collective bargain ing and agreement
was rapidly gainin & recognition among
the railroads of the country. The col
Iectfve agreements negotiated prior to
government control contained recogni-
ton of certain principles which unions
really came into existence to secure.
These included the right of employees
to representation by the individuals or
organizations chosen by them, a work
ing week of six standard working
days, the payments for work required
in time normally dedicated to a mans
family and recreation at a higher
rate, the protection of craft standards,
the protection of health
But the unions were not satisfied
with advantages gained. and con-
stantIy reached out for more. Out of it
aid mas come inc 1LlSASAGDL dSAAldA1Q AOI
a living wage. The theoretical stan
dard Of living" based on a theoretical
family of five, which may be typical
or not, is an economic abstraction. 1t
is a one-sided superstition, and has
reference to a single feature, the So
ciaI welfare of the ennploye, an effort
to make the employer the handspring
Of his upIift without giving due re-
gard to the part which the employe
himself must play.
If all wages were based on the re-
quirements of a typical family of
five" after making allowances for
their needs for shelter, food, clothing,
other necessities, the usual assortment
of comforts and a modest margin for
saving. the average industry would
go to the wall. Income would not be
sufficient to meet payroll charges. to
say nothing of allowances for mainte-
nance, upkeep. replacement and other
items of overhead.
If industry is to be on d sound and
going basis, the economic aspects of
the problem must be given primary
consideration. The maxim that the
Iaborer must be worthy of his hire is
based not SO much upon what he
needs or thinks he needs but upon the
extent of his contribution to the COM
mon store of goods and services. 1t
is productivity that counts, and it is
the ratio of output or performance
that should determine the rate of re-
Enumeration.
1t would not be fair to base our
wage scales on the necessities of those
who receive the pay envelopes. A
worker who lives in mild climate
with no coal bills to meet, with rents
low, and without the necessity of buy
ing heavy winter garments and over
coats. finds his living requirements
less than those of a 1aborer who lives
much farther north. and who has to
meet all those extra expenses. Yet
he is entitled to receive as much as
his northern compeer if he is able to
contribute as much 70 the general
output.
Standards of living are largely So
cial habits based upon income, and in
come is largely dependent upon pro-
duction. The American workman has
had a high standard of living because
he produced more than the workman
of any other country. This has been
partly because the American workman
is more efficient than the 1aborers of
other countries, at least most other
countries. 1t is due in greater meas
ure, however, TO the fact that indus
try in the United States, in respect to
management, is the most progressive
in the world. Mechanical appliances
v71fa1ffnIfnA he 90
labor and thus aided in swelling the
sum total of goods. Another factor
that should be considered is the vast
reservoir OF resources and raw ma
ter.als represented by our country. We
are the largest producers of coal, iron,
copper, cotton, oil. foodstuffs and
numerous other commodities We
have the most efficient system of
transportation in the world, thus max
ing it possible to distribute products
cheaply and quickly.
1t is for this reason that not only
the manual laborer, but all classes in
the community. have reached living
standards without precedent in his
tory. and unequalled in any other
country in the world. Our workmen
as well as our wealthy individuals
have become accustomed to standards
OF living that would not be possible
if it were not for production.
In considering the wage question
and other industrial and economic
problems, we all would be able to OBJ
tain a clearer view of the merits in
volved if we should concentrate our
attention more upon the economic
phases than the social aspects. This
is what the railway labor board has
done, and not only the country but
the world also is indebted 70 = for
its intelligence and courage.