Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-08

causes OF industrial unrest, most gem
orally agreed upon by employers and
employees alike, were presented to Con-
gress today by the Commission on In
dustrial Relations in its preliminary
report as follows:
Largely a worldwide movement
arising from laudable desire for bet
ter living conditions. Advanced by rep
resentatives of labor, socialists and
employers and generally endorsed.
"A protest against low wages, long
hours and improper working condi-
tions in many industries. Advanced by
practically all labor representatives
and assented to by many employers.
"a desire on the part of the work.
ers for a voice in the determination of
conditions under which they labor, and
a revolt against arbitrary treatment of
individual workers and a suppression
of organization. This was almost uni
formly approved by labor witnesses.
Unemployment and the insecurity
of employment. Generally advanced by
witnesses from every standpoint.
Unjust distribution of the products
of industry. Advanced by most labor
representatives and agreed to by most
employers.
misunderstanding and prejudice.
Agreed to by employers and employees.
Agitation and agitators. Generally
advanced by employers, but defended
by labor representatives and others as
a necessary means of education.
s'The rapid rising prices as compared
with wages.
"The rapidly growing feeling that
redress for injuries and oppression
cannot be secured through existing in
situations.
In addition" says the report, sit has
been stated by many witnesses that
the tremendous immigration of thes last
quarter century, while not itself di-
rect cause of unrest, has served to ae-
centuate the conditions arising from
other causes, by creating an over sup
ply of labor unfamiliar with American
customs. language and conditions"
While it presents no conclusions,
leaving those for later work, the Com
mission, after more than a years in
vestigation covering all phases of in
dustry throughout the country in
which more than 500 witnesses repre-
senting all relations of capital and la
Dor were examined, presents the ques-
ton:
lis there need for changes, improve
ments and adaptions or must entirely
new legal machinery be devised for
the control of Industry"
The final report and conclusions of
the commission will he submitted next
August when it's mission is concluded.
These nine agreed causes were the
result of the examination of 5t4 wit
nesses divided in interest as follows:
Affiliated with employers, 1871; affili-
ated with labor, 1888: not affiliated
with either group, $50. The witnesses
included seven members of the Indus
trial Workers of the World and six
representatives of the Socialist party
Under the caption What Employ.
er's Say" the report presents the fol-
lowing summary Of causes of unrest:
Normal and healthy desire for bet
ter living conditions.
misunderstanding and prejudice
Lack of conception that interests OF
both labor and capital are identical.
agitation by politicians and ire
sponsible agitators.
Unemployment.
Unreasonable demands arising from
strength of organization.
Labor leaders who stir up trouble
to keep themselves in Office and to
graft on employers"
.Inefficiency of workers. resulting
in ever increasing cost of living.
Rapidly increasing complexity OF
industry.
Sudden transition of a large num-
Der of foreigners from repression OF
freedom, which makes them an easy
prey to labor agitators.
Universal craze to get rich quick.
Decay of old ideas of honesty and
thrift.
"Misinformation in newspapers.
TOO much organization for combat
i've purposes instead of for co-opera-
ton.
Violence in labor troubles.
Sympathetic strikes and jurisdic-
tional disputes.
"Boyeotting and picketing.
"Meddlesome and burdensome legis-
lation,
THE closed shop which makes for
labor monopoly. Financial irresponsi
bility of labor unions
A similar presentation of the en-
ploye's side is as follows:
Normal and healthy desire for bet
ter living conditions.
Protest against low wages, long
hours insanitary and dangerous con-
ditions existing in many industries.
Demand for industrial democracy
and revolt against the suppression OF
organization.
Unemployment, and the insecurity
which the wage-earner feels at all
times,
unjust distribution of the product
of industry. Exploitation of the many
by the favored few Demand for full
share of production.
"Unjust attitude of police and courts.
There is one law for the rich, an
other for the poor.
Immigration and the consequent
over supply of labor.
Existence of double standard
which sanctions only a poor living in
return, for the hardest manual labor,
and at the same time luxury for per-
sons who perform no useful service
whatever.
Disregard of grievances of individ