The Washington times., 1912-02-02
much GOOD can be done by proper iesis-

much GOOD can be done by proper iesis-
Al the moment when the discomforts
ana dangers incident to industrial strife
are actually felt by the public there is
Of soms tribunal for the immediate set
uement OF the particular dispute, But
what - needed fs some system, devised
BY patient and deliberats study in ad-
occurring and clearly foreseeabie emerg-
encies-not . makeshift TO tide over aDi
existing crisis. Not during the rain
storm but IN fair weather should the
leaking roof be examined and repaired.
Strain Of Disputes.
The magnitude and complexity of
modern industrial disputes have put up-
on some of our statutes and our pres
ent mechanism for adjusting such dlf-
ferences-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 II q re-examIn.
alton Of our laws bearing upon the re-
lations Of employer and employe. and a
careful and discriminating scrutiny of
the various plans which are being tried
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 in
dustry. fFlt
Numerous special Investigations, off,
cial and unofficial, have revealed con-
ditions In more than one industry which
have Immediately been recognized on
all sides as entirely out Of harmony
with accepted American standards. 1t
Is probable that to q great extent the
remedies for these conditions, so far as
The remedies involve legislation, lie in
the field Of State action; but such a
to furnish a basis for intelligent action
must be undertaken on national inlti-
ative and must be nationwide in It's
scope.
In view of the results that have fol-
ernment In education, in agriculture,
and In other fields which do not lie
primarily within the field of Federal
LEGISLATION. there can be no serious ar
wisdom Of an inquiry by the Federal
Of labor in the United States, notwith.
tsH @ fnss s ws has sSs Of sss
states. or even entirely outside the
sphere OF governmental activity, in the
hands OF private individuals and Of
iect Of SUCH sn oiols, invsstsstion SS
and report 10 to enlighten and inform
public opinion, which OF itself will often
induce or compel the reform Of unjust
conditions or the abatement of unrea-
sonable demands.
Investigation Fragmentary.
The special Investigations that have
! been made Of recent industrial condi-
tions. whether private or official, have
been fragmentary. incomplete. and at
best only partially representative or
typical. Their lessons. nevertheless, are
important, and until gomething compre-
hensive and adequate Is available they
serve a useful purpose, and they will
necessarily continue to be made. But
unquestionably the time Is now ripe for
searching inquiry into the subject Of
industrial relations which shall be Of
ficial. authoritative, balanced, and we'll
rounded. such as only the Federal Gov
ernment can successfully undertake.
The present widespread interest in the
subject sur makes this an ,opportune time
Tor an investigation, which in any event
cannot long be postponed. 1t should be
nonparusan, comprehensive, thorough
patient and courageous
There IL already available much infor-
iect in the reports Of the Federal and
state Bureaus of Labor and in other
official and unofficial publications. One
essential mart Of the proposed inquiry
wcuid naturally be to assemble digest,
and interpret this information SO far as
IL bears upon our present Industrial
conditions. In addition to this the
tpmmission should inquire into the
general conditions of labor in our prin-
c,pat Industries, into the existing rela-
tons between employers and employees
IN those Industries. into the various
methods which have been tried for
maintaining mutually satisfactory re-
lations between employees and employ
eis and for avoiding or adjusting trade
disputes. and into the scope, methods,
and resources Of Federal and State Bu-
which they might more adequately
meet the responsibilities which. through
the work of the commission above
recommended, would ne more clearly
brought to light and defined.
Misbranding Imported Goods.
Ny attention has been called to the
injustice which IS done in this country
By the sale Of articles in the trade pur-
porting to be made in Ireland, when
they are not SO made. and It Is suggest-
ed that the justice Of the enactment Of a
law which, SO far as tho jurisdiction of
the Federal Government can go, would
prevent a continuance Of this misrepre-
sentation 10 the public and fraud upon
those who are entitled to use the state
It to be greatly In the interest Of fair
dealing. which ought always to be en-
couraged by law. for Congress to enact
q law making 1t q r1isdemeanor, pun
ishahla by fine or imprisonment, to use
the malls or to put into Interstate CON-
Inerce any articles of merchandise
which bear upon their face a statement