The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-03-05
WHY so. MANI. idle ID |
REPLY OF FEDERAL INDUSTRIAL
COMMISSION TO QUERY IS
AWAITED BY ALL.
TO RECOMMEND LEGISLATION
Chairman Walsh Asserts Conditions
Are Practically the Same Every
Year-Wili Ask Federal Control
Of Employment Agencies.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


Washington.-When the federal in
dustrial commission began it's INQUIRY
In New York city to discover the rea-
son why so many men and women
were out OF work, the administration
waited with interest for the first word
from the commissions chairman,
frank p. Walsh. The Democratic ma
Jority in congress also awaited the
word with interest, while the Repub-
Means and Progressives awaited 1t
with interest supplemented by keen
curiosity.
One OF the first reports which came
from the commission was TO the effect
that its chairman declared bluntly
that there were $4,000 persons out OF
work in New York city. This state
ment without adequate explanation
was wired to Washington and it
created a disturbance, and cause the
opposition parties to taunt their Demo
cratic opponents with having insti-
tnted national policies and having
passed national laws which had in
jured industry and had thrown hun
dEeds OF thousands OF willing workers
out OF jobs.
The White House read the reported
words OF Mr.. Walsh with amazement,
because the inference naturally was
that the condition OF unemployment
was unusual and could be traced only
to conditions which had sprung from
some recent cause, and the admlnistra-
ton knew that 1t would be charged
that the cause was improper legisla-
ton by the Democrats. From the
White House came the word that it
could not be true that Mr.. Walsh
meant the unemployed of New York
city were in any larger numbers than
usual at this time OF year. and that it
probably would be found he had no in
tention Of intimating that the condi-
ton of unemployment was due to
legislation enacted or promised.
Conditions About as Usual.
The next day Mr.. Walsh sent de-
NAL He admitted that he said there
were $50, men and women out OF
work in New York city, but he pointed
to another part OF his message which
the telegram had failed to transmit to
the capital: The commission realizes
that present conditions in the labor
market are practically the same in
every year at this season and that the
problem is a permanent one" '' 49,
This explanation pleased and re-
lieved the Democrats Immediately and
| took away from the Republicans and
the Progressives some Of the ammuni-
ton which they thought would be of
service in making attacks on the Demo
cratic strongholds. The federal indus
trial commission is still at it's work
and 1t will make inquiries into the rea-
sens for unemployment In all the
cities OF the country. Then il will come
back TO Washington and will draw up
the report in which 1t will recommend
hope will strike at the root OF the evil
| Of enforced idleIess.
'....~ Federal Control Asked.
1t can be said that the first step con-
templated by the commission after 1t
has gathered its material is to pre-
sent to congress for enactment a bill
esta blishing federal bureau to act as
/ clearing house for public and private
! agencies and to direct the movements
of migratory workers. Cooperation to
end casual employment will be urged
upon employers"
Congress is to be asked 10 pass legis-
| lation which will put under federal
control every employment agency in
! the United States which is doing an in
terstate business. 1t is charged that
| alluring promises are held out to men
in one locality OF employment at good
wages In other sections Of the country,
| and that frequently when the trip is
made and the expense undergone. they
find they have been deceived. There
is in New York city what is called the
National Employment exchange. Its
president is Otto T. Barnard, who at
for mayor Of the great city. 1t is ad-
mitted that this exchange is a private
| concern, run by employers. but the
claim for 1t has been made that it has
managed to check some OF the evils
from which migratory workers suffer.
The federal industrial commission has
heard this claim and it is probable the
means used by the exchange to pre-
vent deceit in trying to get workers
from one community to go to another
| will be studied, and II they are capable
! of wide application they may be in
dorsed, although this is matter for
future consideration.
Ii seems that men who have studied
for years the question OF non-employ-
ment and the reasons for it are com
ing round to. the belief that some kind
OF an insurance against non-employ-
ment can he provided. 1t is said that
Chairman Walsh Of the commission be-
lieves this is possible and that il will
be the rule of the future.
There are certain industries In
which. there is less employment In
winter than there is in summer The
farmers work let's up in the winter
and there are certain other businesses
to which winter acts as a deterrent TO
employment. There are a hundred
and one factors entering into this non
employment problem and the man
who can solve It probatIs will be
hailed ss a public bsnefSctcr, &