The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-07-24
Labor and Capital Representa-
tives Agree on One Point
Before Federal Com
mission.
MIGHT AVOID TROUBLE
Building Trade Employers and EN-.
pIoyees SEQ Advantage In
Agreements Between
Both Sides.


CHICAGO, Judy 24.-Julius Rosen-
wald and other millionaire employers,
who were summoned to testify before
the federal commission on industrial
relations today were expected to an
swer the statements Of Miss Mary Nc
Dowell, co-worker of Jane Addams,
that low wages are responsible for
present conditions.
"In this hot weather the lack OF
adequate wages IS a serious problem
of my people down in the stock yards
District" said Miss Mcdowell, "The
commissioner Of health tells them
their babies must have certified milk.
Well man getting s1.65 day can
hardly be expected to supply certified
milk"
do you believe conditions would be
better or worse without organized
labor in this country" asked Commits
stoner Weinstock.
| ooh, worse" answered Miss Nc
! Dowell. 'T didn't know there was any
difference Of opinion on that point"
| Two leaders Of forces that have
/ locked horns in several big industrial
battles found themselves in accord on
several big questions involving labor
/ in their statements before the federal
fttommfssfon today. Chas. W. Gindeie
irpresident OF the Chicago Building Con
struction Employers association, com
posed of 100 contractors and build
! ers declared strong organizations OF
both employers and employees were
| beneficial to both sides in the build
ing trade. Collective bargaining he
| said was much more simple and salts
factory than dealing with individuals; T;
disputes between workers and en-
| ployers could be adjusted more quick
! ~ and the public benefited.
Simon O'Donnell, president of the
Chicago Building Trades council,
with a membership Of about $4,000
union workmen made practically the
same statement. He said the system
of agreement between building en-
ployes and employers in Chicago ap'
preached the ideal Gindele who was
the first witness today said his pr1n'
cipal complaint against unions was
the fact that few Of them disregarded
their agreements. The majority OF
unions he said abid'ed by their agree
nents, but he thought incorporation OF
all unions with provision for the pun
ishment of officers of those that broke
agreements, would he a good thing
He blamed business agents for the
breach of contract by some OF the
unions.
Gindele admitted that a number OF
employers in the association of which
he is head have been guilty OF the
same acts he charged against the
unions. The employers associations
he said, had fined these firms $50 tc
/ $3.50. "On the whole, I know OF nc
better system for maintaining indus
trial peace than the one We have II
the building trades In Chicago" sale
Gindele. 'T believe if every organiza
tion Of employers in the country hat
such an agreement with a strong or
ganization Of employees, there woult
be few labor troubles.
"All fair minded employers are com
ing to realize that shorter hours fol
their employees means moro efficiency
and better results, the employers heat
told the commission.
O'Donnel approved what Gfndel'
said about the need of strong organi
cations on both sides for fair bargain
ing in the labor market. Building
trades leaders, he said, are now WORK
ing on a plan for a joint conference
Of the board of employers and EN-
ployes to settle labor disputes and n
believed that If the plan was adopted
strikes in the building trades like tn
recent walkout OF the brick maker
would be practically eliminated.