Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-23
UNREST Of LABOR
WILL Be PR0BED
Commission on Industrial Re-
Iati0nS HO 'dS Its First
Meeting.
CALLS UPON PRESIDENT
BEFORE STARTING WORK
Gompers and Morrison Hope Body
Will Bring About Bet
ter Conditions.

For the purpose of Investigating the
trial world the commission on industrial
relations appointed by President Wilson
under authority of an act of Congress
held its first meeting at the New Willard
Hotel today. I'll nine members of the
commission attended the first meeting
Addresses by Samuel Gompers. presi-
dent of the American Federation of Ia
Dor. and Frank Morrison. secretary Of
the federation. expressing the hope that
the commission may be instrumental In
bringing about better conditions in the in
ing session this morning.
Walsh Made Chairman.
Frank p Walsh of Kansas City, Mo-.
was elected permanent chairman of the
commission at the meeting this morn
ing, and Prof. John r. Commons of tie
University of Wisconsin was elected
temporary secretary. 1t was decided
that headquarters will be opened IN
Washington. probably in the new Com
merce building. at 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue.
Prior to going into session at the New
Willard Hotel the members of the COM
mission went to the White House and
shook hands with President Wilson.
Another session is being held this
fternoon and it is probable that the
commission will remain in Washington
until al it's preliminary plans have
been outlined and preparations made
which 1t was created
Members of Commission.
The nine members of the commits
sion are Frank P. Walsh of Kans IS
City. Prof John r Commons of Wis
consin, Mrs. j. Borden Hartman, Fred
erick A. Delano of Chicago. Harris
Weinstock of California, S. Thruston
Ballard Of Louisville, KY; John B. Len
non or Illinois. treasurer of the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor: James OCon-
nell OF Washington. D. c., third vice
president of the American Federation
of Labor. and Austin B. Garretson.
president Of the Order of Railway
Conductors. of Iowa
President Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor. who was asked to
speak to the commission by Chairman
Walsh reviewed the history of former
attempts to bring about better conditions
in the Industrial world by government
commissions and congressional commit
tees Several such efforts have been
made, he said. but all had little effect
Mr.. Gompers sad that the personnel of
the present comm'ssion promises much
for the success of it's efforts. He de-
clared that he earnestly hoped that 1t
would be able to bring about better con-
tons for working people and better re-
'ations between employers and employees
in the industries of the country.
Cohen Also Speaks.
j. H. Cohen of New York, an attor-
ney interested in the protocol ar
ranged by the New York cloakmakers
following their disastrous strike, was
also asked to address the commission,
and make short speech outlining the
good work he thought may be ac-
complished.
The commission is to decide on the
method by which 1t will carry on it's
work. 1t has been suggested that the
commission be divided into subcommit-
tees, according to their residences geo
graphically. for the purpose of carry
iHs vi tiici inNcStlSdtioHS inlO
trial conditions, but this plan has not
been definitely decided on.
An appropriation of 100000 for the
work of the commission during it's first
eight months was provided for by Con-
e ess when il was created. 1t is ex-
pected by members of the commission
that experts will be employed to carry
on Investigations which are thought
necessary. 1t is planned to coop
crate with the bureau of labor Stats
tics in order that the bureaus library
may be utilized.