Wages

The compensation agreed upon by a master to be paid to a servant or any other person hfred to do work or business for him.

In maritime law. The compensation allowed to seamen for their services on board a vessel during a voyage. In political economy. The reward paid, whether in money or goods, to human exertion, considered as a factor in the production of wealth, for its co-operation in the process. "Three factors contribute to the production of commodities,—nature, labor, and capital. Each must have a share of the product as its reward, and this share, if it is j'ust, must be proportionate to the several contributions. The share of the natural agents is rent; the share of labor, wages; the share of capital, interest. The clerk receives a salary; the lawyer and doctor, fees; the manufacturer, profits. Salary, fees, and profits are so many forms of wages for services rendered." De Laveleye, Pol. Econ.

— Wage earner. One who earns his living by labor of a menial or mechanical kind or performed in a subordinate capacity, such as domestic servants, mechanics, farm bands, clerks, orters, and messengers. In the United States ankruptcy act of 1898, an individual who works for wages, salary, or hire, at a compensation not exceeding $1,500 per year. See In re Pilger (D. C.) 118 Fed. 206; In re Gurewitz, 121 Fed. 982, 58 a C. A. 320.