Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/804

 788 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

times as much as it was three decades ago, and the consequent increase in what may be called the skilled part of his work goes a long way toward counterbalancing the cheapness secured by the more extended use of machinery.

It is impossible to make an approach toward accuracy in estimating the ratio of profit and loss. But it is evident that, even if the natural and gradual increase in time wages should change the gain from the use of machinery into a loss, it would be impossible for even the "economic man" to return to what would be really the cheaper method of production. The house carpenter will not accept the old wages during the working sea- son on the strength of a promise of steady work at sash and door making during the otherwise idle months. He has little faith in any such promise. The condition of every trade is unstable, and an employer would be equally unwilling to substi- tute hand work for machinery during the period of indoor work, on the expectation of securing the services of the workman at cheaper rates during the building season.

Another obstacle is found in the fact that planing-mill work and house carpentry have become different lines of business. Waste occurs through the payment for idle time, and although the loss is not a natural necessity it is rendered unavoidable by the commercial relations of the trade.

In steam fitting a similar change has taken place within a shorter period. It was a natural condition in the seventies for a steam fitter to have steady work, and his wages varied from $1.50 per day upward. During the latter part of winter and through the spring months he built radiating coils of iron pipe and engaged in lines of work which have since passed to the black- smith shop and the foundry. With the introduction of the cast- iron radiator and boiler came a decided fall in the cost of steam and hot-water heating. The new radiators were found to be not only cheaper but more open and cleanly. There was no more work for the steam fitter building coils " in the shop," his serv- ice* being required only for connecting boilers and radiators in buildings. For a time the working mechanics in the trade suf-