Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-20
the INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION.
The Able Address Of United States Labor
Commissioner Wright.

| Through the kindness of Labor
Commissioner Matthews the Journal IS
able to publish in full the able address
on the United States Industrial Com
mission delivered in this city, last
week, by United States Labor Com
missioner Wright before the national
convention of labor commissioners Ii
is an interesting subject clearly pre-
scented by one who knows his theme.
Gentlemen of the Convention:
| The United States Industrial Com
mission is a logical outgrowth of the
custom of modern legislatures and the
theory on which they conduct their
business No legislature at present
can secure the facts which it needs on
which to base its legislation. or evil
dence for the consideration of current
questions. 1t is obliged TO commit all
such questions to committees of its
own organization and creation. Hence
the principal work of modern legisla-
lures is done by committees who study
| bills referred to them. ascertain the
| facts along the lines of each matter
and make such report as in their wis
| dom. derived from the collection of
| data. opinions, etc, they see fit. Now
this work has gone so far, under the
| complications of modern civilization
and the complications arising out of
| industrialism as compared with mill
tariSm. that committees thus APP
pointed perform the work of the legis-
latures. Legislatures have neither the
time. the force nor the organization
competent to collec. ne data necessary
for wise conclusions. So modern legis-
latures. in addition to their own COM
mittees. have established by law
various commissions for the very pur-
pose of collecting information on which
the legislatures themselves shall base
their action. The railroad commits
sions. the boards of state charities,
the insurance commissionS-eve
Of that kind belongs to this theory OF
modern legislation. They are per-
manent bodies or commissions to which
are committed the identical affairs de-
ecribed in the laws creating them. and
| they are empowered to collect the in
| formation to guide the work under
! them in such way that legislatures
| may receive the greatest benefit from
their labors This is the modern
| theory of legislation. Our own offices,
! gentlemen. are in accordance with this
/ theory. The bureaus Of statistics of
/ labor. the census-all such organiZa-
| tons are created for the very purpose
If collecting information for the guild
| ance ana the information Of the legis-
| latures themselves. If it We're not 50
! there would probably be no legitimate
/ reason for the existence Of these
offices. unless the governments con-
/ slider them. rs I always have. part Of
I the educational service of the states.
! The United States government eX-
/ ponds on the average about $4,000. 600
4 year and employs nearly 1000 people
/ in purely scientific or educational
/ work which has no bearing ana no in
! fluence upon executive administration.
1t is authorized by the constitution in
tina; clause which empowers Congress
to provide for the general welfare Of
The people Hence the creation by Con-
G~css-and this provision is duplicated
in most of the state cOnStitutionS-of
these offices. commissions. whatever
YOU please. Legislatures cannot prop
/ erlv perform the duties pertaining to
/ their office wftaout the information
/ which all these commissions bring to
| their service.
| Now the United States Industrial
/ Commission finds its reason for exist
( ence in this modern theory Of legisla-
ton. Congress cannot undertake
through its single committee Of labor
in the Senate and Of labor in the
| House to weigh carefully all Of the
facts and conditions surrounding the
! industrial features Of its people. ana
under such consideration arrive at any
i1h hnX
are in duty bound to help solve. even
if they cannot solve it. No legislature.
no people no community is expected 10
solve all of the difficulties which arise
out of the industrial situation or of
social conditions. But it is the duty
of every legislature. and the duty OF
every people and Of every community
to try But before any effective trial
can be made there must be informa-
ton which can be relied upon.
NOW the Industrial commission has
been organized for the very purpose,
ana for the sole purpose. Of suggesting
or recommending to Congress and to
the various states such legislation as II
shall find necessary or feasible for the
benefit Of the people at large in their
general industrial and trade relations.
lInp very llfSl Sttl!bli vi tIIC Nv 'i'AN''
was approved in June 1898. as de-
Iscri,ad by the commission itself. states
the purpose as follows: The purpose
Of this commission. as must be IN
farred from the wording of the law
lcraating il, is to ascertain the nature
Of the existing legislation Of the sew
oral states Of the United States bear
ing upon industrial conditions. the
material operation Of that legislation
in its relation to the working man ana
the manufacturer and business man.
and to the consumer: the character
and effects of similar legislation in for
aien countries. and how far it Is ap-
nIicable or desirable in the United
states and what legislation. If any
along new lines. is practical or de-
cirahle for the improvement OF indus
trial conditions, with view OF de-
tarmining how far it is possible I"
frame uniform industrial laws. the
odontion of which can be recommended
II congress and to the legislatures OF
Tho several states That is as far as
,ha industrial commission can go.