Evening star., 1898-10-10
MIR. Gompers' Views.

the International Typographical Union, ana
has never lost his interest in the trade
union movement.
Whether this commissions s work will
suit in materially advancing the cause of
labor is DrobematiCai. more particularly
when we realize that the politicians have
an overwhelming majority of the commits
siouers. We have in mind, however, the
fact that if the labor men on the commits
sion Will take advantage of the opportunity
presented. much good can be done, If they
constantly and perSiStently apply them
selves to the exposition Of all shams and
presentation of all that which is true. 1t
will require keen insight into existing con-
ditions, at times employing the drag net,
at others the probe.
mo doubt during the Investigations
many an attempt will be made to place
the cause of the workers-the labor move
ment-in a false light. Not a charge must
remain uncontradicted. not an insinuation
unChallenged; every claim should be pune
tured. and every declaration exploded un-
less ii is based upon the adamant rock of
truth.
Because it is so generally known. it may
not be necessary to delve deep into the
misery and despair of a considerable part
of the working people of our country Tn
doubtedly the sweatshop, the contract
system. child labor. womefs labor, convict
labor and the long hours which many
workers are required to toll and their evil
influences upon the progress of the people,
are legitimate subjects for inquiry.
Injunctions Included.
The decision of courts and Court-made
law in bringing injunctions into play; the
old, effete, yet sometimes effective con-
spiracy decisions. as they are made to ap-
ply to organizations of labor, are matters
which should receive the consideration of
the commission. Nor would it be amfss
to consider the decision and opinion rem
dered by the United States Supreme Court
ht4 If involuntary
the specific enforcement of a contract to
labor, and the widespread influence which
this decision may have upon the liberty
and progress of the people.
There are certain rights which are in
herent in man which Just governments
recognize. but which rightfuliy they can
neither deny nor confer. Those rights
which are yet denied, and to which the
workers are entitled, should unquestionably
be a fruitful theme for investigation.
The commission can. with advantage,
investigate the conditions of labor, show
where they are worst and best, and the
causes which have produced both. thus
demonstrating to the people which lines
are calculated to bring about the best
social. political and moral results and
stimulate others 10 emulate the successful
example.
Among the matters to which the COM
mission may rightfUlly devote its atten-
tion is the investigation and presentation
in systematic form o. the rights acquired
bN Ine people curing tiH tAlSItlltt Ol our
nation. No doubt it will occur to the COM
mission that the period could be divided
between the time preceding and succeed
ing our civil war. for during each of these
two epoChS progress Jagged.
The propositions which the commission
may make should be in tangible form and
character. that its recommended lions
may be crystaized into constitutional
amendments or Iegisla tive enactments.
While We are not too sanguine as to
the results of this investigation. yet we
shall watch with friendly but critical eye
the progress which is being made, and
formation and edifcation OF our friends
The Possible Outcome.
Secretary Morrison of the same organ;-
zat.on said:
There is in my opinion a great deal of
curiosity felt in regard to the commission
whether 1t will be so.operated as TO work
out the results for which it was created.
believe that with friendly chairman,
and with the assistance of Messrs. Ratch
ford. Sargent and Farquhar much can be
accomplished, such as the Thorough in
qUiry into the condition of the miners. child
labor. the sweat shop system, laws govern
ing the seamen. government ownership of
the telegraph. postal savings banks, con-
ViCt labor. a shorter Hork-day for women
and children, the watering of stocks by
wealthy corporations and the reduction of
the wages Of their employees TO pay GlVi-
dends thereon to their stockholders, and
ahCve all, the corporations weapon-the in
junction. If the commission will make an
honest. thorough and fearless report 10
Congress of the conditions as they lind
them, sugges ting to Congress d line Of
action by which the deplOrabie conditions
row existing can be removed, then the
commission will prove to be Of permanent
benefit.
IF it does not accomplish this, then its
continuance is not likely to be of any
material use to the wage workers Of the
country
Eiaht-Hour Law.
Vice President James Duncan said Il do
not believe there is any real apathy among
the laboring people on the subject of the
Industrial commission but interest in it is
overshadowed by the greater interest felt
by workingmen in the enactment of the
eight-hour work day BILL which passed the
House Of Representatives by an unanm OuS
vote at the last session. and we believe
will pass the Senate socn after the be
ginning of the next session. We can ex-
pect no beneficial results from the wo.k
of the commission for at least five years.
OF the other there Is no reason to doubt
its good effects will begin to be realized
soon after its enactment into law, which
we expect to see accomplished in the course
Of a few months.
n N
Mr.. John ". Hayes, general secretary
treasurer of the Knights of Labor. de-
clined TO say anything for publication in
reference to the industrial commission, but
one of the highest officers of the order said ::
1t was apparently the intention of he
President to commit the interests of LABOR
to the TWO officials Of labor organiZa tiOns
whose names appear on the list. Whether
party service heretofore rendered or here
after to be hoped for had anything to do
with their choice is immaterial.
In either event, ii was Il mistake to ap-
point Ratchford and Sargent, and still
greater mistake the part of those gen
tlemen TO accept No man holding high
official station in a labor organiza ton
should make his office a stepping stone for
political preferment. Some day the dis
pensers of patronage may learn that giving
places, great small, to labor leaders has
the contrary effect from that intended The
votes of the rank and file cannot be de-
livered like so much merchandise. and the
lot of the average workingman is made no
easier because one or more leaders secure
well-paying political jobs.