THE SOURCE OF PROSPERITY. 227 



" The wages of operatives are now very low, with a strong 

 prospect of going lower before Spring. Mills are running with 

 a smaller number of hands than ever before." Ibid., (K) page 

 161. 



" As the best prices manufacturers can afford to pay during 

 the present depression is barely sufficient to support most of the 

 families, any reduction in that amount will inevitably result in 

 the misery and starvation of some of them. This mill has run 

 every hour it was possible under the law during the last five 

 years, only stopping for necessary repairs ; and we have made 

 no profits, only keeping our operatives alive." Ibid., (k) pages 

 161-2. 



In answer to some of the inquiries addressed to 

 workmen, the following replies were received in rela- 

 tion to their condition. 



" 9. a. Do you live as well as you did five years ago ? 



"In answer, 138 said, 'I do not;' 6 replied, * Not half as 

 well ; ' and 3, ' Not quite as well.' On the other hand, 62 said, 

 4 Yes ; ' 10, ' Nearly the same ; ' and 4, ' Better ; ' 7 did not an- 

 swer the inquiry. 



"9. b. If not (living as well), in what respect are you worse 

 off than then ? 



"The answers to this inquiry defy systematic tabulation or 

 condensation ; so we present the reasons in nearly the exact 

 words of the writers, the figures giving the number of persons 

 coinciding upon each reason : 



"'Less pay,' 30; 'In all respects,' 25; 'Out of work,' 7; 

 * Afraid of coming to want,' 1 ; ' Less means for support,' 3 ; 

 ' Can't afford to live so well,' 1 ; ' More family and less pay,' 5 ; 

 4 Do not get paid promptly,' 1 ; ' Larger family,' 1 ; ' Can't buy 

 what we need,' 1 ; ' Expense fifteen per cent, less, and my wages 

 fifty per cent.,' 1; 'Have had to curtail generally,' 2; 'Less 

 work,' 9; 'Less work, less pay,' 9 ; 'No spare money, or new 

 clothing,' 1 ; ' Savings most gone,' 2 ; ' In actual want of neces- 



