Work and Wages.—Much has been said as to the improved condition of work and wages, and doubtless this is true in many quarters; in some places, the claims of the employer may be true that there is not sufficient profit to conduct the business successfully. But the condition of both are deplorable in some quarters. The Montreal Star, in its issue of February 13, 1904, thus speaks of Canada:—
The other day the Star expressed the opinion that the wages paid to Canadian workmen were too low to give the wage-earners a decent living for themselves and their families in this age of high prices. The Star's views on this subject have not been assailed or contradicted. The cost of most of the necessary articles of food has increased at a rate out of all proportion to any increase in wages. Nobody seems to be in a position to blame the manufacturers for this condition of things, because many manufacturers are working absolutely without profit. Rubber companies, cotton companies, machine companies, and many makers of textile fabrics are passing their dividends. They keep their factories open, in hope, in deferred hope, that is fast turning to despair.