File:American engineer and railroad journal (1893) (14572830869).jpg

Identifier: americanengineer68newy (find matches)
Title: American engineer and railroad journal
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors:
Subjects: Railroad engineering Engineering Railroads Railroad cars
Publisher: New York : M.N. Forney
Contributing Library: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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econd objection urged against the cut of wages pro-posed is the comparative low price paid in Boston when theother great cities are considered. On its face it is a strongpoint, but conditions are always found on examination to ac-count for the discrepancy. If there were no counter-balanc-ing advantages in living in Boston over living in Cincinnati,it is safe to say that with bricklayers wages at 56 cents perhour in the latter place as against 42 cents here, there wouldbe a hegira of workmen from this city to that. But the fartremains that, instead, bricklayers are drawn to Boston, and,as appeared in the testimony, from cities where the nominalwage is higher. An agreement of 50 cents per hour in Denver means noth-ing when building is paralyzed, as at present, and employmentin that line practically suspended. The third reason for leaving undisturbed the current payhas decided force, correcting the unwarranted conclusion thatlarge wages per hour are necessarily large in the gross, as was
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Vol. LXVIlI, No. 9.) AND RAILROAD JOURNAL. 409 - ictorily explained, by unsuitable weather and inevitabledelays from causes beyond the bricklayers control. I deem it unnecessary to elaborate further the arguments orpleas advanced on both sides, and proceed to give the conclu-sion I have reached. If the hard limes and the dullness in building were causedby excessive waizes paid to bricklayers and other similarmechanics, there would be ample reason for granting themason builders request. But it is evident that such is notthe case, and that some undefined cause makes the lot of bothparties a trying one. Attempting to curtail the earnings ofeither cannot. Ihertfore. lie effective. Moreover, the masonbuilders have this advantage, they enjoy opportunities forprofits on contracts that may furnish a fund with which totide over such times as the present. The bricklayers have nochance for exceptional profits, and while their wages may beadequate to support themselves and families in prosperousl

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