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Show WHY WE PROSPER Representatives of British labor have been sent to America to investigate conditions and to find out, if possible, just why waves and living conditions in the United States for the working people, ere so much higher and better than in Europe. In America the working men for the most part have comfortable homes, plenty of nourishing food, and in many instances automobiles to go to and from, their daily work. Conditions such as these are unheard of in Europe. It is said that the British workers are finding out that our workmen prosper because of their efficiency, the greater output of their efforts, through the practice of mass production. This is doubtless true, but might it not be worth while, also to inquire as to why conditions have come about which make possible the present situation with regard to our labor? Of course the American worker is intelligent and efficient, but some of this intelligence and efficiency is the result of his improved conditions! rather than the cause. It is the fact that he has a good home, plenty of food, and a savings account which makes him efficient ef-ficient and intelligent. And the mass production which improves his output is due to a steady market. This steady market is furnished furn-ished principally by the people of the United States. It is a home market, and the home market is preserved, and a great steady production pro-duction made possible by the protective tariff. If we were on a free tradd basis we would be competing with European nations in' our gTeat home market as well as in the world markets. Our manufacturers would be up against European dumping, dump-ing, and our working men would be competing with a European wage scale which does not take into account comfortable homes, good food and bank accounts. Mass production would not be possible under such conditions and we would soon be no an economic eco-nomic level with Europe. Any investigation of our prosperity, and the improved condition condi-tion of our workers eventually brings the investigator to the fact that it is our immense home market which makes the present enviable en-viable situation possible, and that this home market is fostered , principally by the protective tariff. |