The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-02-09

by patient and deliberate study in ad-
vance, that will meet these constantly
occurring and clearly foreseeable cmer-
gencies. not IA makeshift to 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 complexity of
modern Industrial disputes have pat
dpon some of our statutes and our
present mechanism for adjusting such
differences where we can be said to
have any mechanism at ala styain
they were never intended to bear and
for which they are unsuted. What Is
urgently needed today Is n re-examina-
ton Of our laws bearing upon the rela-
tiOns 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. 1t Is probable that to a
great extent the remedies for these
conditions, so far as the remedies in
volve legislation, lie in the field Of
state action. But such a comprehen-
sive inquiry as is necessary to furnish
a basis for intelligent action must he
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.
tlOn there can be no serious argument
against the propriety or the wisdom
Of an inquiry by the federal govern
mant 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 /;
available they serve useful purpose
and they will necessarily continue tC
be made. But unquestiOnably the time
| is now ripe for a searching inquiry
into the subject of industrial relation:
/ which shall be official, authoritative
| balanced and well rounded, such as
| OhAg INC lCuClui SON NbLi ohN
/ cessfully undertake. The present wide
| spread interest in the subject make:
! this an opportune time for an investi
CATION, which in any event cannot Ion!
be postponed. 1t should be nonpar
tisan, comprehensive. thorough, pa
tient and courageous.
There is already available much in
formation on certain aspects of tn
subject in the reports of the fedora
and state bureaus of labor and in 9th
er 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 it bears upon our present in
dustrial conditions. In addition t
this the commission should inquire int,
the general conditions of labor in ou
principal industries, into the existing
relations between employers and EN-
ployees in those industries, into the va
rious methods which have been trie,
for maintaining mutually satisfactor.
relations between employees and EN-
ployerS and for avoiding or adjusting
trade disputes, and into the scope
methods and resources of federal an,
state bureaus Of labor and the meth
DDS by which they might more ade
quately meet the responsibilities whicl
through the work of the commission
above recommended would be NOR
clearly brought to light and defined.
Misbranding Imported Goods.
My attention has been called to tn
injustice which is done in this countr
by the sale Of articles in the trade pun
porting TO be made in Ireland. whe
they are not so made and it is suggest
ed that the justice OF the enactment o
Il law which, so far as the jurisdictio
Of the federal government can e
would prevent a continuance OF thi
misrepresentation to the public an
fraud upon those who are entitled t
use the statement in the sale OF thei
goods | think it TO be greatly in tn
interest of fair dealing. which ough
always to be encouraged by law, TO
congress to enact law making it
/ Yt,ig f-h hpINI 10 IyyG en- ty,1