The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
ANNUAL LABOR REPORT
CANCELLATION HAS ACCOMPLISHED
MUCH IN INDIANA.
Commissioners Find DemagOgues Are
the Dangerous Ones-The
Strikes Handled.
The State Board of Labor Commissioners

The State Board Of Labor Commissioners
filed it's report with the Governor yesterday,
covering the period Of it's existence from
June II, 1897 to Nov. /, 1898. After reciting
the fact that no such body had heretofore
existed In Indiana and that the commission
efS mad therefore no precedent to guide
lhem IN their work, the report says:
| 40 the exceptional completeness of the
Jaw ID" creating the commission and directing
It's dcuOn, much is due for whatever results
nave been attained. Its clearness in setting
IOTth the purpose to be achieved and the
Irlegnod TO be pursued in the attainment,
LI3keS the law all that could be desired, and
II It's general scope needs no amendments.
30 Lar as relates to the purpose of the law
niue opposition has been shown by either
capltal or labor. There has been found al
most universal expression of approval.
1hese evidences have been made by verbal
expressions. by numerous votes of thanks
LON ldDoI organizations, and by letters of
commentator from employers in all parts
OF ihe state, and are so ample that there is
Ao hazdFu IN the conjecture that arbitration
anu conclDGtion will be accepted as the more
satisfactory method of settling labor dis
P 9tes In Indiana in future. The experience
Oh the commission proves that Cancellation,
Idlne" than arbitration, is the more effective
ana satisfactory method of settling disputes
neIWeen capital and labor While arbitra-
el9h mas been accepted in few instances in
al or which IL has proved effective yet, for
me most part, both sides in the controver-
sizes IN which the commission has officiated
nave preferred Cancellation as the better
means of effecting settlement. Results are
9lnerent where successful efforts at concil-
lauon are exerted. The contestants meet,
tax over grievances, discuss the interests of
the business involved, come to a better
knowledge of each others wishes and needs,
reconcile their conflicting opinions, and
thus pave the way to mutual concessions
and satisfactory agreements. These con-
tenuons, often intensified by personal dis
likes, strengthened by self-interest, and too
frequently colored by ignorance of essen
tial economic truths, if permitted to drift in
their "a m q led Vy9
tunate consequences. 1t cannot be denied,
therefore, that every successful effort at
concentration or arbitration OF differences be-
tween employer and workman promotes the
welfare of the industrial and social life of
society. So far as can now be remembered
these meetings have always brought good
results; and in almost every instance where
settlements have not been made, it has been
where the employer and the men did not
meet. Not only have these conferences IA
cilitated settlements otherwise requiring
longer time, but frequently have resulted in
closer friendships and inspired reciprocal
1.-The more formidable obstacles to settle
ments have not generally come from either
the employer or employe. but more fire.
quently from intermeddllng third persons.
OF these, the first are demagogical poll
ticians, who either pose as the friend OF
oppressed labor and proffer sympathy and
advice in the hope Of being able to secure
support in their political aspirations. or seek
to gain for their political party some tenn
porary advantage by espousing one or the
other side of a labor trouble. Mostly their
proneness is to pander to baser sentiments,
and by playing upon the Feasibility of ex-
cited strikers gain a temporary prominence
which they hope to turn to selfish gain.
They have been encountered frequently, and
are a source of perpexing annoyance.
1.-THE second are the superserviceable la
Dor agitators, whose jealous and often hon.
est efforts are exerted in trying to promote
legitimate ends by unwise counselS: Usually
their sympathy is genuine, and their mo-
tives commendable, but they are at no pains
to inform themselves of the facts when are
essential to correct knowledge and mature
Judgment. These impulses, therefore, I'M
guided by a correct comprehension OF the
THINGS proper to do and refrain from doing.
lead them blindly OF to the commission or
blunders which require no small degree OF
patience and labor to overcome. or the TWO,
the demagogue is both the more lnSldlous
and the more harmful. The power to sum-
marily repress these Intermediates by legal
restraints would greatly simplify and facil-
-0'- FINES IN FACTORIES.
1.-THE assessments of fines in factories and
mines have been found causes of discomfort.
These fines are levied for the ostensible pur-
pose of enforcing discipline, but the method
is by no means universal or even general.
While in most instances they are not ex-
cessive, they are nevertheless irritating.
The discomfort is occasioned less by reason
of the pecuniary loss sustained than from
the smarting consciousness that it is con-
fscation of private property by method
wholly Illegal and that the money thus
taken is retained by those who arbitrarily
make the rules, determine the extent OF
their violation, fix the penalties and execute
judgments. There can be no doubt that the
successful operation of factory where
large number of men are concentrated re-
uuires the firm enforcement OF just rules
But these should always have the qualities
of business of purpose and reasonaplehess
of method.
''In two Instances it has been found nee
essary to go beyond the boundaries of In
diana in the prosecution OF Official duties;
The national coal miners strike presented
the first necessity for such action. In this
instance 1t was your commissions first puf-
pose and effort to have the meeting of joint
commissioners convene at Indianapolis. But
the universal Judgment of those whose
opinions were of value was that Pittsburg
was the point at which negotiations and
concentrated effort should be made. Inc
second instance requiring us to go beyond
the States boundary lines grew out OF the
controversy between the William B. Conkey
Company, of Hammond. and the members
CT the Allied Printing Trades, of Chicago.
much of the dissenson which forces
itself to the front in the associations of
capital and labor has it's origin in a lack of
proper knowledge of existing relationships
and environment 1t is by nc means diff
cult task for men with meager earnings
and stern necessities to reason themselves
into the conviction that their services are
worth a greater pay The desire for good
but ofttimes the ability of an employer to
meet an increased demand is quite an i'm
possible task. The competitive principle IN
our economic system is not taken into ac-
count To do so a study of existing condi-
tons should be made. The question of COM
petition should be investigated, cost of fuel,
convenience to market and freight rates
should be better understood; and all other
essential factors which enter into the cost
Of production and distribution could we'll
be considered fruitful themes for study and
discussion in labor organizations and other
assemblies of workmen. The importation
of workingmen in large numbers TO take the
places of home workmen has resulted in
serious, and. in some instances, fatal,
clashes in other States, and might, under
aggravated circumstances, precipltate
strifeS in Indiana. The possibility of evil
which might grow out of such importations
conditions which a heated strike sometimes
produces. might well challenge the thought
full consideration of our lawmakers. 1t may
we'll be doubted If these importations can
be justified under any circumstances, and
the evil results which might grow out of
such an act greatly overbalance any pos
sible good which could be realized. Pro-
hibtive legislation on this subject seems
imperative.
BANEFUL INFLUENCE OF TRUSTS.
mo propositions involving settlements of
labor controversies present as great obsta-
Giles as those in which trusts are parties
to agreements. In every encounter with la
Dor the workingmen, however just their
cause emerge from the conflict the great
er sufferers. The opportunities of trusts in
regard to wage reductions are exceptional,
end fbair dasirnS ara al auI1aI m fhair