Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-22
CURES FOR HARD TIMES.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT or THE
BUREAU OF LABOR.


The Recent Depression Born -Four Years
Ago-PrOsperity Now Returning-The
Governments Power to Enact Laws
Guarding Against Depression-Bene-
6ts of Industrial CopArtnership set
Forth.
WASHINGTON, March 21.--lhe first an
pual report OF the Bureau OF Labor mas
been submitted by the Commissioner
Hon. Carroll d. W right, to the Secretary
of the Interior. 1t will cover ABOUT ooo
pages, containing facts, figures and de-
auctions concerning the Industrial de-
nression of novel and interesting char
acter. BY way Of a summary the COM
mjttee saws: ut has been clearly shown
that the depressions of tn past in the
manufacturing nations OF the world have
hepn nearly or quite cOntempOraneOus in
their occurrence. AS to the severity OF
the present industrial depression and its
duration il can safely be asserted that the
depression commenced early in 1SS2 and
aas continued until the present time.
RETURNING PROSPERITY.
From the time the agents of the bureau
entered the field in prosecuting their
Investigations To the time they left 1t, a
period Of i've or six months, there has
been a marked change in the condition of
business. At the present time, March,
1867. the effects of the depression are
wearing away and all the indications are
that prosperity is slowly and gradually,
hut safely, returning. The extent OF the
depression has not been so great as the
pOOular mind has conceived 1t. An in
dustrial depression is mental and moral
malady which seizes the public mind af-
ter the first influences OF the depression
are materially or physically felt.
POWERS OF TIE GOVERNMENT.
With healthy public opinion behind it,
the law-making power can prevent to a
great degree unhOly speculation in food
products. 1t can indulge in conservative
care in extending railroad building and
In facilitating the organization of manu-
featuring corporations. 1t can restrict
grants of the public domain. 1t can en-
act uniform bankruptcy laws, extending
The provisions of such laws so that the
poor man indebted but few hundred
dollars shall be able to readiust his inan-
,ial affairs as readily as large debtor.
THE CREDIT SYSTEM.
1t can abridge the provisions of laws
relating to the collection Of debts TO the
end that the credit system shall not be
abused. 1t can regulate transportation
Ali q lusb ana unllOIin udBlS W INC emu
laat the stockholders shall not be robbed
by ruinous competition, and that work
men may calculate with some degree of
certainty the cost Of his living and pro-
duction so far as transportation is con-
cerned. 1t can see to it that the tariff
shall be regulated on basis of justice
and science, and not on a hapnazard
basis. which affects only individual in
lerests and often times inficts general
larm.
TIE CURRENCY,
1t can see that a staple currency be
guaranteed that the workman may know
the purchasing power of his stipulated
earnings. 1t can consider what reason
able and humane regulations may be
adopted relative to immigration, and see
20 it that labor is not lowered either in
standard or through earnings by pernici-
Gus methods of impOrtatlOns by contracts,
and that every lawful endeaVor be made
10 stimulate industrial education in all
parts of the country; that the necessity
shall be recognized OF industrial develop
ments in all parts OF the land; that there
may result legitimate increase in the
consuming power OF the people.
INDUSTRIAL COPARTNERsHIP.
1t can stimulate the growth of the prin-
biple Of industrial cOpartnership through
method of prOtit-sharing by wise, per-
missive laws. Public sentiment can en-
courage perfect organization Of the forces
involved, to the end that each shall treat
with the other through representatives,
ana that production shall be regulated by
demand, and not by ill-advised ea gerness
OF men TO push their work individually to
the detrlment of others, that there may
come universal adoption of shorter
hours Of labor, and demand that after
capital and labor shall have received
4 fixed and reasonable compensation each
& Tor his investment the net profits OF pro-
4 AUCTION shall be divided under profit
4 sharing plans or methods, or through in
dustrial cOpartnership, to the end that all
n lne forces Of production shall be equally
alive to the mutual welfare.
LABOR CONTRACTS.
1t can ask that contracts of labor be as
free as contract for commodities under
a lair agreement for services rendered, TO
Iae end that a workman shall not be
obliged TO make contracts on terms not
acceptable to him, and it can hold the
party which declines tOresort to cOncilia-
Dry methods of arbitration morally re-
a 'ponsiole for all i'll effects growing out OF
contest. These remedial agencies or
remedial methods, alleyiatory IN their de-
sign, are all possible by reasonable acts
Oh men. They are not chimerical schemes,
out measures adapted TO practical adOp-
lion. They demand simply fair recOgni-
ion Of part only OF the truth bound up in
ne rule which insist that all shall do unto
'luers as they would have others do unto
hem.
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MAHONE'S DISCOMFITURE.