Show I 1 I 1 LS P ILL is work of trade unions of benefit alike to the employer and the employed Emp loye by JOHN MITCHELL ex president united mine workers Wor kera HEN employers and employed emp loyes W learn that their interests are identical and that what Is a benefit to one is equally so to the other then will the labor problem be understood bright aright it has baa been repeatedly shown that the advance in wages and the short abort ening of hours have resulted not in on an increase but actually in a decreased cost coat of production in most industries it has been clearly demonstrated that a w workman 0 akman really accomplishes more in ten hours of regular work than he bo formerly accomplished in twelve and in many instances the reduction of the number of working hours from ten to eight has meant increased production as well as greater profits for employer taking the mining industry with which I 1 am most familiar I 1 have no hesitation in saying that as a result bof of the reduction in the number of working hours the output of bituminous coal per miner has largely increased the same truth the economy ot of a short working day has been made manifest in england where the reduction in the hours of labor has been coincident with the cheapening of production and rapid extension of i foreign markets the t trade rade union confers a benefit upon the employer in more ways than one it sets a price upon the cost of his bis labor the union says to him you shall pay at least so much for each man you employ and we guarantee that no man competing with you will receive his labor at a lower rate each employer in this way Is guaranteed a wage cost as low as the roost most favored employer in the tr trade ado and district trade unionism not only increases the ability of the manufacturer to k ha P 4 v 4 t Z 0 produce but equally his ability t to 0 sell to an ever increasing extent the working classes are becoming consumers of the nations products and with every increase in wages there comes an increase in their ability and willingness to purchase the products of labor the industries of the country nourish flourish best when there Is a large and consistent demand for the products of at labor and this demand can best be stimulated by increased wages and shorter hours |