566 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



the improvements in all lines of industry, and at the actual increase in 

 the production of commodities! Is there any doubt of increased 

 productivity? If not, then under normal economic law, part of the 

 increase should have gone as an addition to the real wages of labor. 

 If this assumption is correct, the working classes should have gained 

 in comfort and well-being, while as a matter of fact they have lost. 

 Do you wonder at the discontent and unrest in labor circles? 



2. While prices have advanced faster than wages, all prices have 

 not moved up at the same rate. As stated in another connection, 

 farm products, building materials and food have led in the upward 

 movement. Other things have advanced less rapidly, some have 

 remained practically stationary, and a few have in fact declined. Not 

 all industries then have benefited alike from the shifting exchange 

 level ; some have not gained at all, and a few have lost. 



However — and here is the important point — all laborers, whatever 

 the industry in which they are employed, have been affected alike by 

 the higher prices — all pay 50 per cent, more for food and rent than in 

 1897. Consequently, there is a pressure for increased wages in all 

 industries, whether they have gained from the changing prices or not. 

 Where they have gained, the desired increases may be granted readily 

 enough, to avoid interruption of business. But where they have not 

 gained, higher wages mean diminished profits or even losses. It is 

 particularly in these industries where we find serious labor difficulties. 

 Both employers and employees have lost or are threatened a loss in 

 income. Neither side understands the position of the other and is 

 unduly embittered as a consequence. The shifting price standards 

 have simply deprived these industries of their former relative pros- 

 perity, and until normal readjustment takes place, the losses can not 

 be avoided. The question is who shall bear them — employer or 

 employee ? 



Fundamentally, this is perhaps the trouble in the many threatened 

 railway strikes. Costs of railway operation have steadily advanced, 

 while rates and fares have remained practically stationary. While this 

 point can not be definitely determined, it seems certain that the rail- 

 roads have not shared in such undue gains as have fallen to other 

 industries through the shifting of prices. Yet they face the same 

 pressure for higher wages; the demands are supported not only by 

 powerful labor organizations, but by the more powerful public opinion. 

 Until proper readjustment takes place, we must expect discontent and 

 mischievous disputes. 



Likewise this was probably the real trouble in the recent Lawrence, 

 Massachusetts, strike. The textile mills, especially those of New Eng- 



