New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 13, 1919, Page 5

MINIMOM WAGE 1S BEING ADVOCATED Gatholic Bishops Discuss Recor- struction Methods for Gountry Washington, Feb Adoption minimum wag 1edules main- tenance in general of the wage levels bbtained during the war and perma- nent establishment of the National War Labor Board and the United States Employment Service were ad- vocated as essentials of a just recon- ruction in a report made public to- day by four Catholic bishops, consti- tuting the administrative committee the Nattonal Catholle War Council. While favoring, in the interests of health and morality. prohibition of labor reduction to the smallest pract limits of the em- ployment of women in industry, the committee urged equal pay for women doing equal work with men. It de- clared, also, for insurance of workers agajnst iliness, old age and unemplos ment until wages are high enough to over such periods, for abolition of monopolies, continuance incomes tide taxes on | profits, for ative ng in necessitie: ice living and for government- colonization of unoccupied lemobilized soldiers and of and merchandis the cost o assistec farmlands by sailors A& a me o its present reconstruction program, but of value ,in solving the problems of capital and committee urged sgradual labor in the manage- in the ownership heav) rge o0-ope to red excess outside labor, the participation by ment and eventually of industry The report, entitled General ‘Social Recon Review of the of Remedies,"” Rishops TR struction; a Problems and Survey w in the names of Muldoon, of Rockford, , of Toledo, O. of Charleston, Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. of New York. As members of r Council's administrative com- they represent the of America general di- work this country ed Peter Joseph T chremt iam Russell, and Haye: the W miftee, hierarchy rection of and over Unrest Is Serious Menace. Declaring that “the deep unrest so emphatically and widely voiced throughout the world is a most seri ©ous menace,” the bishops held up *“so- olal fitstice and a contented people as the only safeguard of peace. Tire authors of the report disclaimed any attempt to form a comprehensive scheme of reconstruction. Their rec- ommendations, it was stated, were confined to “reforms that seemed to Be deslrable and also obtainable with- in a reasonable time, and to those gen- eral principles which should serve as » guide for more distant develop- ments.” Discussing the demobilization of the military forces. the report indorsed ,the suggestion of Secretary of the In- terior Lanc that discharged men should be given an opportunity to work at good wages in recl used lands. afterward to be ®overnment loa selves ac Federal “a fai ment nd war,” and in war in sted by them credited the Service with of develop- efficiency during the urged that Congress con- tinue and strengthen the organization as a means of helping to solve the present problem of unemplo: Zmploymen degree ever ment Praises War Labor Board. The bishops rated the National War Labor Board as “‘one of the most bene- ficial government organizations of the wa Its efforts, they “prevented innumerable strikes and raisad wages to decent levels in many | Industries “TIts main report Tiving wage for all male adult laborers recognition of the right of labor to or- ganize. and to deal ,with employers through its chosen representatives guiding principles,” Will- | Catholic | iming un- ! asserted, had | tha | continued. “have been a family | d no coercion of non-union laborers | by members of the union. The War | Labor Board ought to be continued in | xistence by Congress, and endowed | with all the power for effective action that it can possess under the Federal Constitution. The principles, methods, machinery and results of this institu- tion constitute a definite and far- ching gain for social justice. part or given up in time of peace.’ While holding that =ay nothing of chivalry,” dictates that women who filled in industry the places made vacant by men called to war “should not be compelled to suffer any greater loss or inconvenience thar is absolutely necessary’ in the read- justment under peace conditions, the report declared that no worker should remain in an eccupa- ! tion harmful to health or morals. In this classification. street car operation and the cleaning of locomotives were especially mentioned. An efficfent na- fional employment service, it was stated, would be able to shift to do- | mestic and other suitable lines of ac- tivity women war workers whose cir- e required them to continue cumstances as wage earners The committec asserted that fow industries directly connected with the carrying on of the war, wages had reached a plane. “npon which they could not possibly continue for this crade of occupation’ but declared that “the general level of wages attained during the war should not be lower- The average rate of pay, it was | stated, had not increased faster than the cost of living. and a considerable majority of wage earners, hoth men and women, were not receiving living Wwages when prices hegan to rise in 1915, Opposes Wage Reductions To support its convention “on the grounds hoth of justice and sound cconomics we should give our hearty support all legitimate efforts made by labor to resist general wage reduc- tions, even when the cost of living re- cedes from its present high level,” the committee said: ‘Bven if the great majority of workers were now in receipt of more than living wages, there are no good reasons why rates of pay should be lowered. After all. a living wage is not necessarily the full measure of | justice. Al the Catholic authorities | on the subject explicitly declare that | this is only the minimum of justice. In a country as rich as onr, there are very few cases in which it is possible to prove that the worker would be | getting more than that which he has right if he were pald something in | excess to this ethical minimum. Why then, should we assume that this is the normal share of almost the whole laboring population? Since our in- | dustrial resources and instumentalities are sufficient to provide more than a | living wage for a very large propor- tion of the workers, why should we acquiesce in a theory which denies them this measure of the comforts of | life? ~ Such a policy is not only of very questionable morality, but is un- { sound economically. The large demand for goods which is created and main- tained by high rates of wages and high purchasing power by the masses is the surest guarantee of a continuous and general operation of industrial es- | tablishments. It is the most effective instrument of prosperity for labor and | capital alike.” Favor Idving Wage. The bishops advocated assurance to | workers of incomes adequate for ‘“de- { cent family life” by legally enforced | | minimum wage schedules and a_svs- { tem of social insurance inaugurated | with state aid and eventually supported ! by industry. This insurance, they de- | clared, should be utilized merely to ! | bridge over the years until a worker's | | earnings are sufficient to malke pos- | | sible savings for protection of himsel | and family against sickness accident, | | invalidity and old age. i “The several states should enact | laws,” the report stated, “providing | for the establishment of wages that | | will be at least sufficlent for the de- { cent maintenance of a family, in the of male adults, and adequate to decent individual support of fe- male workers. In the beginning the | legal minimum for male workers ! should suffice only for the present needs of the family, but should be | gradually Taised until it is adequate to future needs as well. “Until this level of legal minimum | | wages is reached the worker stands! in need of the device of insuraace. So| far as possible the insurance fund should be raised by a levy on indus- try, as is now done in the case of ac- dent compensation. The industry 4 | which a man is employed should pro- | vide him with all that is necessary to | meet all the needs of his eatire life. | Therefore, any contribution to the in- | surance fund from the general reve- | nues of the state should be oaly| | | | in a od case | the slight and temporary. For the same reason no contribution should be ex- acted from any worker who is not | getting a higher wage thaax is re- | quired to meet the present needs of [ himself and family. Those Who are | below that level can make such a con- | tribution only at the expense of their| | preseat welfare. Finally, the admin- | | urged a No | of this advantage should be lost | throush “mere justice, to | female | | sreat | own a substantial part of the corpor- !'in evidence. taking it out of existence in states,” extension of voca- nd elaboration of the present experiments in municipal housing and medical attendance wers steps toward equalizing the conditions of the employing and employed classe Upholding the right of labor to or- ganize and to deal with cmployvers representatives, the report urged a gradual recognition of the workers in the management and own- ership of the industries of which they | are a part. Co-operation Is Urged. As a first step, it suggested admis- sion of emploves to the industrial part of the management through forma- tion of shop committees to co-operate with owners of plants. The next phase, participation in ownership, the committee conceded. was not of gen. eral value in a program for immedi- ate social reconstruction. It classed private ownership as preferable collectivist organization of which it characterized as “a state of soctalism which would mcan burcau- cracy, political tyranny, general clal inefficiency and decadence asserted that the present pro ducing “insufficient incomes for a majority of wage-earners and large incomes for a | of privileged capital- | modification and im- | ary b stagnant tional training to a industry, s0- bt vstem, unnece small minority iste,” needed provement “It seems clear,” said the commit- tee, “that the present industrial svs- tem is destined to last for a long time | in its main outlines. but the fuil pos- | sibilities of increased production will | not be realized so long as the major- | 1ty of the workers remain mere wage- | earners. The majority must somehow | become owners, or at least in part. of | the instruments of production. They | can Dbe enabled to reach this stage | gradually through co-operative pro- | ductive societies and co-partnership | arrangements. In the former, the | workers own and manage the indus- | tries themselv in the latter they ' arily ate stock and exercise a reasonable share in the management. However slow the attainment of these ends, they will have to reached before | we can have a thoroughly efficient | system of production or an industrial ! and social order that will be securs | from the danger of revolution. It is| to be noted that this particular modi- | fication of the existing order, though | far-reaching and involving to a great | extent the abolition of the wage sys- | tem, would not mean the abolition of | private ownership. The instruments | of production would still be owned by | individuals, not by the state.” | To brinz about even moderate re- | forms, the bishops asserted, both cap- | ital and labor must get a new view- point. The laborer, they declared. “must come to realize that he owes | his employer and society an honest | day’s work in return for a fair wage, | and that conditions cannot be sub- stantially improved nntil he roots out | the desire to get a maximum of re- | turn for a minimum of service, The capitalist needs to learn the long-for- gotten truth that wealth is steward- | ship: that profit-making Is not the | basic justification of business enter- | prise; that there are such things as fair profits, fair interest and fair | prices; that the laborer is a human ! being, not merely an instrument of | production; and that the laborer's | right to a decent livelihood is the first | moral charge upon industry. This is | the human and Christian, in contrast | to the purely commercial and pagan, | ethies of industr: { POLICE COURT GRIST. Husband Fined On Wife's Complaint | —Autoist Also Draws Down Fine. A fine of §7 and costs was imposed this morning by Judge James T. Mes- kill upon Michael Volk for breach of the peace. Volk was arrested at his home last night upon complaint of his wife, by Officer Patrick O'Meara. Probation Officer Connelly was or- dered to collect the fine and placed Volk on probation. While patrolling his beat last night, Officer O'Meara was called to Volk's house. He found several chairs smashed and broken dishes were also Mrs. Volk asked that he be arrested as he had struck her with | a box of face powder and threatened to kill her and her baby, she said. Mre. Volk is employed in P. & F. Cor- bin's and Volk at Landers, Frary &J Clark’s. H Thomas Kolody was fined $10 and costs this morning for violation of the | auto ordinance relative to driving a | hard-tired truck without a mirror. Kolody was arrested Tuesday by Offi- cer Clarence Lamphere and notified to be in court yesterday. He was late for court and the case was continued | under bonds of $75. Kolody said he had been driving the truck but two days and was wafting for mirrors which he had ordered, to arrive. Offi- cer Lamphere stated that the driver's seat was in a coop, closed in, in such a way as to make it impossible for bim to see anything to the rear of ! {stration of insurance laws should be such as to interfore as little as possl-| | ble with the individual freedom of! ! the worker and his family. Any in-| surance scheme, or aay administrative ! { method, that tends to separate the| workers into a distinct and dependent | | class, that offends against thelir dc»»'\ { mestlc privacy and independence, or! | that threatens individual self-reliance | | ana self-respect, should not be toler-| The ideal to be kept in mind is| 1l the workers| | ated | a condition ia which | would themselves have the income !'and the responsibility of providing| for all the needs and contingencies of | life, hoth present and future. Hence| all the forms of state insurance| should be regarded as merely a lesser| evil, and should be so organized and | administered as to hasten the coming | of the normal condition | Prevention of Monopolies. | As & means of reducing the cost of | | living the committee favored preven- | | tion of monopolistic céntrol of com-, * modities and adequate regulation of! { such public service monopolies as re-, main under private operation, and; { elimination of middlemen by estab- ] lishment of co-operative stores to deal | in the essentials of life. Abolition of chiid labor, if neces- his car without first stopping the car and getting out 287,332 TROOPS BACK. Up to February 8 This Number of Americans Had Returned. Washington, D. C., Feb. 13.—From the signng of the armistice to Feb- | ruary 8, 287,332 American troops in| France and Great Britain had em- barked for the United States, while up to February 10, 67,454 officers and 1,069,116 men had been demobilized in this country. Total arrivals of overseas troops up to February 7 were 115,749, These figures were made public by Secretary Baker, together with others relating to the number of sick and wounded now in France and the num- ber returned home. Men in France being treated for disease on February 1 totalled 62.561, and those suffering from wounds were 24,484. Thé ag- gregate of 87,045 was 4,688 less than in the preceding week and 106,403 less than the number in hospitals overseas on November 14. Since the eading of hostilities & 042 sick and wounded have arrived in this country, NEW BRITAIN DAILY HERAL HOPE T0 CULTIVATE {Scope of Home Gardens Will Be In gardens tated through Secretary L. A sent out very committee to u to ascertain whether they would be | as willing this year for the committee to successfully carry on the work. In all about 160 acres were giv 1918 and for E°h during Shoes, Slipp Prices. This $2 Jl ‘ 3,750 pairs of women’s, g: for pumps. BROKEN LOR® Over ) styles to select from—all skin, Vici Kid, Gun metal, Suede and overshoes at lowest prices in Co selection. 3 and 4 Pairs for the Price o f One. Cozy, Comfort and $ Boudoir Slippers All colors, all sizes, all styles Women’s Rubbers to fit 69C nll style heels; $1 quality Copper-toed SALE PRICE Calf Just the shoes for Very durable. SALE PRICE $l -00 Boys’ $1.00 Rubbers PRICE ____]9C EXTRA QUALITY HIGH CUT English Walking Boots SPECIAL With Military Heels Made of Ko Ko brown calfskin and soft black kidskin. Flex- ible welted soles. B, C and D widths. Al! sizes. Reg. prices 8.50 Our Price [TALL LEATHE Boys’ Shoes. school wear. THOUSAND S OF PAIRS ALL STYLE S Mail Orders Filled_Prawptly 3 and 4 Pairs for the Price of One. 3 X 2 ! : ] . : & ; have been held up only for the re- turn of Mayor Quigley who will ap- point the representatives of the com- mittee from the city—who together with the chamber of committee, will form the general gardens committee. Albin Holmquist will be available t vear as supervisor and from his effi- clent instruction to plot holders—a better year even then 1918 is ex pected. Requests are already being re ceived at the chamber office from peo- ple who desire the same plots that they had the year previous. Any who own land that will be idle during the next six months should phone or write Secretary Sprague, in order that 200 AGRES IN 1919 Increased This Year that the this year chamber order for the work on home may be facili- of commerce Sprague, has to land owners, who llowed the gardens their tracts last vear, preparations and cultivation. Other Chamber Notices. A committee appointed by William Cowlishaw of the Grocers and Butchers’ association will meet this ‘afternoon at 3 to arrange for the s clal evening for the grocers and their clerks to be held Wednesday evening, ! Feb. 19 at 8 o’clock at the Y. M. C. A. letter: willingly 1919 the committee A full evening's enter- hopes to place 200 acres under culti- vation. The success of any garden activity will depend upon the earliness of preparation and assignment to those desiring plots and the chamber would appreciate information as to what land will be available before March 1st. Plans will be forwarded at once and | banquet hall. | tainment is assured and a lar | tendance is certain. | Secretary Sprague is planning for a “Get Together Luncheon” for the chamber members next ‘Wednesday ncon. This is the regular monthly luncheon and it is hoped that J. K, | Punderford of the Connecticut com. lp&ny of New Haven will be present Regular $3.50, $4, § $ Shoes, Oxfords and P All iMarked at ne_ Great Sale Price BIG SALE OF MEN’S BROKEN LOTS. 690 Pairs of Men $6, $7 and $8 Shoes and Oxfords for 2 days only, to go at one price | | | | arrangements can be made for early | mps 10 Womenig., $2.00 Comfort Slippers. dark blue, brown, grdy and red 2 A 1T : 51.00° Felt are light or $1.00| and button Colors maroon, SALE PRICE ! 0o Friday and TWO DOLLARS PER PAIR ’s Misses’ and Children’s $1.00 Rubbers 69¢ to fit high or $1.50 value. SALE PRICE 98¢ Extraordinary Sale of Women's Saratorium & Dr. Whitcomb’s Flexible Cushion Sole COMFORT SHOE These celebrated Hoealth Shoes jnet what thelr name - siies. They con- form to the of the foot and require no breaking In They’'re comfort- able from the moment you put Them on your feeot. SALE PRICE Men’s Rubbe receding toe Rog. 7.50 3 and 4 Pairs for the Price $5, $2.00 “Conditions of the in Connecticut the latter part and talk the Street Railroad Notices will go out this week. on ALL BUT ONE DIFE. “Flu” Almost Wipes Out Eatire Company In Denver. Denver, Col.,, Feb. 13.—A E. P. Snider was simply of Engine Company No. department. Now he's lieutenant, driver and fact, he is Engine Company The “flu” is the reason. John Clem Atkinson, lieutenant the company, died of influenza a wecl ago. The day after Atkinson’s deat Captain William Lindsay was strick- en, and the next day Pipeman “Abc Coopersmith was taken home, leaving Saider alone in the house. When Snider goes to his meals he locks up the house and reports the company out of service. When an alarm comes in from district he hitches up the team climbs on the seat, trips the harnes hangers and is off. If on his arrivz at the fire he finds it necessary’to la out hose his only Tecourse is to cal for volunteers to assist him Chief Healy is unable to give him iriy 20 of the the captair pipeman—i he No. 20. h help, because several other companies are almost count of t s bad off for men on a epidemic and the of | personnel of the department has Y lowered by enlistments in var] branches of war work 13.—The steay Ant ve members of crew of the schooner Andrew Nebi , which grounded and was wrec| ar the harbor of Banes, Cuba, ab (o weeks ago while on her way t port to Mobile, Ala. The schol which registers 261 tons and vned in Boston was driven ashorg heavy current. REDULTIONS HAT-ABE REAL DAMONS- ShipE 4267 MAIN ST, Munamar here from (‘uba, toc