Cloth manufacturers were able to keep labor costs low by? offering benefits versus higher hourly wages employing children and/or orphans at no or minimal wages hiring only the most productive of workers regardless of age using government wage regulations to their advantage

## Step 1<br />The question is asking about the methods used by cloth manufacturers to keep labor costs low. The options provided are:<br />- Offering benefits versus higher hourly wages<br />- Employing children and/or orphans at no or minimal wages<br />- Hiring only the most productive of workers regardless of age<br />- Using government wage regulations to their advantage<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The first option, offering benefits versus higher hourly wages, is a method that can reduce labor costs. However, this is not the primary method used by cloth manufacturers.<br /><br />## Step 3<br /> children and/or orphans at no or minimal wages, is a method that has been historically used by cloth manufacturers to keep labor costs low. This is because children and orphans were often in desperate need of work and would accept very low wages.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The third option, hiring only the most productive of workers regardless of age, is not a method that would necessarily keep labor costs low. In fact, it could potentially increase labor costs if the most productive workers are also the most expensive.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />The fourth option, using government wage regulations to their advantage, is not a method that would necessarily keep labor costs low. In fact, it could potentially increase labor costs if the regulations are designed to increase wages.