The Washington times., 1922-11-04


terancc of way employees Of the rail
roads.
In conciscness and clarity OF g"
preston this editorial declares H.
vital truth Of the principle OF lh'
living wage un"qualed by any "
its protagonists since the histor
prOnounccmcnt Of Leo XIII.
The gauge Of battle thrown down
by Chairman Hooper should be a.
ceptcd.
Would Sweep Country.
William Randolph Hearst can taxi
the living wag"' as naked issu
and sweep this country as IA Cand
date for President in the next elc'
ton
No industry can. vindicate its rieh
to existence which do = not pay l.
every worker performing an essen
tial and useful part In its productiv
!ty "A wage sufficient to maintain
himself and family in reasonable
health and comfort. /: an industry,
AZ in the ease OF the railroads, cannot
do this, the Government should com
pcnsat" the owners and take II over.
4 factory or plant which does not
pay living wage because or me
selfishness or anti social character
of the owner, shodid b" declared Il
nuhrir nuisanC" and supprs sscd, as
in the case of a disorderly house, "A
Stagnant poo, or other mcnaC" 10 the
morals and lif" Of the community.
Living Wage" Practical.
On an honest, even generous, valu.
alton of the railroad property or the
nation, "A living wage can be paid TO
every worker, the present enormous
salaries Of the officials and the
lawyers maintained. and handsome
profits made for the owners.
Emphasis and clarity may be
given to the import of this issue
by a quick survey OF It's immediate
background.
The maintenance Of railway en-
ployes. approximately IA half million
in number. last winter appealed 10
the railroad labor board following the
refusal OF the railroads TO increase
their pay Their request was per
cmptorily denied by the board after
tuIl hearing.
An alfirma i've strike vote was
taken on all OF the railroads os
the United States following which
the board granted the men re.
hCar.nE and an increase in pay o.
two cents per hour. In the hear.
ing, lHS ~ IItnNt plON'h' "''hou'
con. radiCtion by the staff OF ex.
- perts repr, sentlng the roads, that
The wages OF the men were grossly
insufficient to feed, house and
clotha themselves and families,
without regard for the ordinary
comfort or recrea ,ional needs OF
mankind
Families Denied Comforts.
II was shown that women and
children denied themselves cloth
4 ing and proper nourshment so that
II he head of the family could main
tain strength for his labor. The
wives and mothers of these workers
! are compelled to take in washing
and perform the most exhausting
= labors to help supply the family
needs
Practically all OF them are in debt
and compelled TO rely during parts
OF the year on charity to maintain
life and hold their families together.
The compulsory education laws, In
- many States. had TO he suspended
= because the children were barefooted
and so poorly clad that they could
not go ont OF doors during the winter
/. mnths.
i To save anything out OF their
meager wages for Illness. maternity
or the inevitable misfortunes OF life
l. was impossible. When death came,
q 1t was shown in actual case after
a case that the poor mans horror OF
the potter's field was onk av"rtcd
by subscriptions from ne'ghhors and
n more fortunate workers with which
h to purchase a Casket and "A lot in the
Il cemetery
Borrowed Clothing.
The wives of many OF the workers
who appeared before the committee
o friends to lend them clothing in
/ which TO answer the subpocnas OF
= the board.
Their plea for living wage was
=, answered by one magnate, the
4 managing operator Of one of the
!, great Southern trunk lines, by as.
serting that IL the board establish ID
the living wage, for which the men
- were contending, the effect would
e he TO erect a fence around their in.
!, dustry over which they could peer
Il and see any number of MexiCans
and negroes ready and willing to
work for 30 cents or 81 a dav.
The increase of cents an hour
grudgingly bestowed, does not estah
a lish standard Of even decency for
f. this vast army of useful workers.
a But the principle involved is vast.
(. ly more important than action in any
Il specific case.
e Speaks With Authority.
y Chairman Hooper speaks not only
), with deliheration but with authority
The newspapers have been filled with
the reports of his conferences with
the high officials of our Govern
ment, from President Harding down
: The actions Of all OF the officials
OF the National Administration
If during the past months accord with
4 Chairman Hooper's declaration. The
& League Of Nations, the tariff, the
n soldiers bonus, the wet or dry ques
!. tion--all of these issues are super.
!, fetal by comparison with this vital
n pregnant one OF the "living wage"
n Great events make issues. Poll
:. ticians have very little TO do with
d them. SO, this greatest OF all
] ha oh L..