Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-03
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(, The successful operation Of the Erd
man act as between interstate railroads
f. and their employees shows how much
| good can be done by proper legislation.
| At the moment when the discomforts
and dangers incident to Industrial strife
are actually felt by the public there is
usually an cutlery for the establishment
| of some tribunal for the immediate set
Element Of the particular dispute, but
what is needed is some system, devised
| by patient and deliberate study In ad-
vance, that will meet these constantly
,, occurring and clearly foreseeable emer-
gencies, not makeshiftto tide over an
existing crisis. Not during the rain
storm, but In fair weather, should the
leaking roof be examined and re-
paired.
/ The magnitude, and completely Of
modern industrial disputes have put
upon some Of our statutes and our
present mechanism for adjusting such
differences-where we can be said to
have any mechanism at ala strain
they were never intended to bear and
for which they are unsuited. What is
urgently needed today is re-examina-
ton Of our laws bearing upon the rela-
lions of employer and employee and
careful and discriminating scrutiny
Of the various plans which are being
tried in several Of our own states and
in other countries. This would seem
to be the first natural step in bringing
about an adjustment Of these relations
better suited to the newer conditions
of industry.
Numerous special investigations, Of
fetal and unofficial, have revealed con-
ditions in more than one industry
which have Immediately been recog-
nized on all sides as entirely out Of
harmony with accepted American
standards. It is probable that to a
great extent the remedies for these
conditions, 80 far as the remedies in
volve legislation, lie in the field of
state action. But such comprehen-
sive inquiry as is necessary to furnish
4 basis for intelligent action must be
undertaken on national initiative and
must be nation wide in its scope. In
view of the results that have followed
the activities of the federal govern
ment in education, in agriculture and
In other fields which do not lie primar-
lily within the field of federal legisla-
ton there can be no serious argument
against the propriety or the wisdom
Of an inquiry by the federal govern
ment into the general conditions of
labor in the United States. notwith-
standing the fact that some Of the
remedies will lie with the separate
states or even entirely outside the
sphere Of governmental activity In the
hands Of private individuals and Of
voluntary agencies. One legitimate
object Of such an official Investigation
and report Is to enlighten and inform
public opinion, which Of itself will
often induce or compel the reform Of
unjust conditions or the abatement Of
unreasonable demands.
The special Investigations that have
been made of recent industrial con-,
ditions, whether private or Official,
have been fragmentary. incomplete
and at best only partially representa-
tive or typical. Their lessons, never
theless, are important, and until some.
thing comprehensive and adequate Is
available they serve 4 useful purpose,
and they will necessarily continue to
be made. But unquesdonably the time
is now ripe for searching inquiry
into the subject Of Industrial relations
which shall be official, authoritative,
balanced and well rounded, such as
only the federal government can sue
cessfully undertake The present wide
spread interest in the subject makes
this an opportune time for an invesi-
cation, which In any event cannot long
be postponed. It should be nonpar-
tisan, comprehensive, thorough, pa
tent and courageous. .
There is already available much IN
formation on certain aspects Of the
subject In the reports Of the federal
and state bureaus Of labor and in 9TH
or official and unofficial publications.
One essential part Of the proposed in
quiry would naturally be to assemble,
digest and interpret this information
! so far as 1t bears upon our present in
dustrial conditions. In addition to
this the commission should inquire into
the general conditions of labor in our
principal industries. into the existing
relations between employers and en-
ployees in those industries, into the va
rous methods which have been tried
for maintaining mutually satisfactory
relations between employees and en-
ployers and for avoiding or adjusting
| trade disputes, and into the scope.
methods and resources Of federal and
state bureaus Of labor and the meth
DDS by which they might more ade-
quately meet the responsibilities which
through the work Of the commission
above recommended would be more
clearly brought to light and defined.