Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 edition. Excerpt: ...employer and employe,--that is one thing that has apparently been overlooked in all labor controversies. The union wage earner, asking for an increase of wages, apparently does not care what happens to the other fellow, so long as he gets his demand, and the employer, granting the increase, simply passes it on to the public without any regard as to whether or not it is fair that the public should pay this increase, and that is the reason why, if the question of increase of salary or wages is based entirely upon the strength of the employe or organization that makes the demand, the settlement is an unfair one, the public, who must suffer and pay the price, never having been considered at all. The living wage that has been agreed upon should be published,--should be enforced by law. You may say this will interfere with private business. So does war interfere with private business. The government today shuts down a business without warning, because it is deemed best for the public good to take this action. In like manner the government or its constituted ofiicials, should be in a position to enforce a living wage, if the employer is unwilling to pay it, even though it might result in the confiscation of the employer's business. This living wage would naturally fluctuate from time to time, so that at least twice during the year the proper authorities, who have this matter in charge, may make the investigation and re port, and the living or minimum wage, based on that report, should be published and enforced. The Interstate Commerce Commission regulates the rates that railroads may be empowered to make, and the public must pay that rate. Why not have an Interstate Commerce Commission of Labor that will regulate the minimum wage scales...
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