94 READINGS IN RURAL ECONOMICS 



The Use of Machinery and the Length of the Working-Day 



The length of the working-day is shorter now than formerly. 

 This shorter working-day is, however, only very indirectly a 

 consequence of the use of machinery. So far as the individual 

 employer is concerned, it would be quite correct to say that the 

 shorter working-day is not so much because of as in spite of 

 his use of machinery. 



Every employer of labor expects to further his own interests 

 by giving employment to others. Of course it may happen, and 

 doubtless does happen occasionally, that men offer employment 

 for the sake of the employee, but wages paid for such employ- 

 ment are really charity offerings in disguise. They have no part 

 in a discussion concerning the usual and everyday relations be- 

 tween employers and employees. 



In like manner we may say that every employee expects, in 

 return for any service which he renders, to receive a certain 

 payment which shall yield him a net return of satisfaction above 

 sacrifice. Not only does he expect a net return, but he expects 

 a higher net return of satisfaction above sacrifice than he could 

 otherwise secure. In other words, he expects that it will be 

 better or more profitable for him to undertake the employment 

 offered, on the terms proposed, than to decline it and, perhaps, 

 continue unemployed. Unless the workman has such an expec- 

 tation, he should not undertake the work. It is not only proper J 

 but most desirable that both the employer and the employee 

 should have their expectations realized. 



What is the attitude of the parties with respect to each other ? 

 Assuming a certain length of working-day, the position of the 

 machine-using employer has been well stated by an English fac- 

 tory inspector as follows : 



The quantity produced must, in the main, be regulated by the speed of the 

 machinery : it must be the interest of the mill owner to drive it at the utmost 

 rate of speed consistent with these following conditions : namely, the preserva- 

 tion of the machinery from too rapid deterioration ; the preservation of the 



1 In an ordinary contract both parties may. and usually do, gain by entering 

 into the agreement (Amer. and Eng. Enc. of Law (2d ed.), Vol. XIV, p. 5S2). 



