The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-01
Opinion of the Duke of
DevOnshire.
SOME EVILS IN ENGLAND.
Matters That Demand an Imme-
date Reform.
WORK in UNHEALTHY SHOPS.
Better No Factories at All Than
Factories Where the Poor Are
Slowly Killed.

LONDON, April 30-The Royal Labor
Commission has agreed upon a report
compiled by the Duke of Devonshire. He
says he could not recommend the direct
establishment of Boards of Cancellation
and Arbitration by the State, but the
Central Department, having means to pro-
cure accurate informa ton, might do much
to promote their more rapid and universal
Establishment. The opinion is expressed
that the difficulty of finding suitable
arbitrator will be overcome by giving
public department. the power to appoint
an arbitrator. The report considers it no
advantage to institute special labor de-
partment. but advocates Government in
Quiry with the view Of remedyiDg con-
fusion in the administration Of acts deal
ing with sanitary regulations and hours OF
labor for women and children, etc.
The commission heard only one side of
the question of an eight-hour day so far as
1t concerns the great area controlled by
the Miners Federation, as that orgaDiza-
tion is 10 give evidence. The report points
out that the miners are an exceptionally
well-orgSnized budy of workmen who have
not yet found any difficulty in dong for
themselves whatever they desired in such
matters as regulation of length of hours of
labor.
The Secretary of State has power under
the factory and workshop act of 1891 to
establish special rules for the conduct of
manufacturing products and which he
may certify to be dangerous and injurious
fo rdi m ho ha
powers of the Secretary Of State should be
expressly extended so as to include the
regulation of hours in certain industries.
1t is further suggested that when the ad-
ministrative orders deal with women and
children they should be considered final,
and that when men are concerned the
orders should lie for a time upon the
tables OF both houses before becoming
laws.
In regard to non-unionist labor the re-
port says that the commission does not
think it possible by any legislation to re-
move the causes of those serious conflicts
which have taken place, and especially in
recent years in the less skilled organized
trades. The commission holds that nom
unionist workmen should be protected so
far as possible by the public authorities
and that individual liberty for the masters
to employ the men to serve whom they
please should be always maintained. Ac-
cording TO the report, there seems to be a
general desire among workmen, as we'll as
masters, for some clear definition of intimi-
dation by picketing. Though employers
urged the hardship of collective ntimida-
ton without acts for which individuals can
be punished the report says that the COM
mission Is not prepared to recommend any
change in the law. The opinion is ex-
pressed that when picke.ing takes the
shape of besetting the entrance Of fac
tory in 8 threatening manner it comes
unde- the definition of unlawful assem- bly,.
But it is puin ted out that moral compul-
sion may be carried to great lengths in
which the law cannot control and cannot
usefully attempt to control. 1t is added
that there is point at which it can inter-
vene with decided effect without any
alteration except the reduction of its pre-
cepts to a form which a labOrer may
clearly understand.
Arbitrary conditions of labor is the last
subject dealt with by the report. and it is
stated that, though not directly leading to
strikes or lockouts. this condition has
considerable indirect influence upon the
relations between employees and employer.
The report says "Some strong meas
ures should be taken with view to the
Improvement, or where that may prove
impossible, the gradual extinction of the
lowest class of WORK places in which in
dus tries are carried on" 1t is pointed out
that these places are not only bad for the
workers and demoraliziDg for the commu-
nifty, but they compete most unfairly, it is
claimed, with the factories where the law
Is observed or can be readily enforced.
It is added in this connection that any
reform of the kind proposed would at first
throw out of employment the worst class
of working people and might cause tenn
porary pressure upon the rates. 1t might
also, according to the report. even drive
some minor industries out of the country,
but it is claimed that the country could
we'll spare them, since it would no longer
tempt the immigration of class of per-
sons who can never get employment in
large and well conducted establishments.
The minority report considers that the
remedy for bad relations between emplog-
ers and employed will be found 10 evolu-
ton assigning capitalists as we'll as work.
ing people to their proper position as
servants of the community. 1t sugges ts
eight hours for days work and a mini
mum wage. 1t urges that trade union
conditions shall prevail in all public en-
ployments. advocates bold treatment of
the unemployed problem and provisions
for old age, and concludes with the state
ment that the whole force of democratic
craftsmanship must be directed toward
49, ,,h.tit,fiop oef ma aihla of mn h