The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-29
THE LABOR COMMISSION
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY
MESsRs. SCHMID AND MCCORMACK.
Statistics of the Commissioners Work
They Go to Anderson to Inves-
tigate Trouble There.

From all over the State come expressions
of approval of the work of L. p. McCor-
mack and B. Frank Schmid, state labor
commissioners. Not only are they them
selves praised for their work, but also the
Governor and the Legislature are COM
mended for the wisdom of creating the Of
fice The commissioners have always put
themselves in communication with the
strikers at the earliest possible moment
and in this way have doubtless been able
to head off many violent outbreaks. The
duration of strikes has been shortened and
the productiveness of both labor and capt.
tai increased In the majority of the set
Elements made by the labor commissioners
increased wages have been secured by the
workmen and increased security has been
given to capital by pledges secured from
workmen to abandon strike methods and
seek aid and redress of wrongs through ar
btration. Frequently questions of COM
picated nature have confronted the labor
commissioners in the settlement of troubles
other than the question of wages, such as
disputes between union and nonunion
workmen, enforcement of trade rules,
fights against organized labor, and methods
of payment for services rendered. In some
instances advice offered by the commission
disadvantages have been experienced which
have proved expensive. 1t has always been
the purpose of the commissioners to settle
differences din such way as to leave the
contestants on more friendly terms than be-
fore
WORK OF COMMISSION IN DETAIL.
In their experience the labor commission
ers have made eight trips into the coal
fields In all $500 men have been returned
to work in the mines through the efforts of
the labor commissioners. AT Washington
and Columbus trouble arose over the ques-
ton of payment for mining 'deficienoies''
and the general question of wages. The
matters were adjusted by the labor commits
sioners and the men returned to work.
At Elwood tin plate workers were not sat-
isfed with the wages they We're receiving
and they demanded recognition of the
union. The wages were raised from 1872 to
20 per cent
AT the plate glass works at Alexandria
the wages of the workmen had been cut, the
union was not recognized and there was an
Objectionable foreman. In the end the fore
man was placed in another position and the
men returned to work at their old wages
The workmen in the wire-nail works at
Anderson struck for increase of wages
glass works at Anderson were the first to
resume operation after the trouble between
blowers, cutters, gatherers and fatteners,
because the labor commissioners persuaded
the men to see where their best interests
lay. AT Sharpsville the girls in. the canning
factory struck because of the size of the
buckets, and in the end their work was
lightened. The boys employed in the glass
works at Marion went out for an incres
of wages. A slight increase was granted
At Star City, Hymera and Clay City COL
miners struck because of low wages, OBJ
jectionable check-weighmen and several
other conditions which they felt to be un-
just. Reforms were made and the men re-
turned to work.
struck for an advance in wages. The adj
vance was made. A controversy over ma
chine and pick mining arose at Brazil,
Caseyville, Coxville, Harmony, Cardonia
adjusted the difficulties satisfactorily AT
Muncie in the bottle works boys struck for
an increase in wages, which was granted.
AT Marion boys employed in the fruit jar
wages. Afterward they returned to work al
the old wages. Boys employed in the fruit
jar works at Muncie struck for an increase
in wages and it was granted.
AT Kokomo and Elwood serious compli-
cations arose and men employed in the
plate-glass works struck because their en-
day to piece work. The men afterward con-
scented to the change through the advice
of the labor commissioners, and they bene-
fitted by it.
the benefit produced by the labor commits
sion the expense to the State of maintain
ing it has been small. The two commits
sioners have drawn in salaries 81 $3.50, they
to the amount Of $2S515 their railroad fare
has been $16S. 65, the expense of their Office
in the Statehouse has been $230.1 The total
of the above expenses and incidental eX-
nanseS is 81 800 9e The commissioners have