New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-08
NINE CAUSES FOR
INDUSTRIAL UNREST
Federal Commissions Report
Says Desire for Better Living
Conditions Is First.

Washington, Dec. After more
than a years investigation, covering
every phase of industry throughout the
country, in which 514 witnesses were
examined, the Commission on Indus
trial Relations to-day presented its
preliminary report to Congress.
There are nine causes for industrial
unrest, It is asserted. They are:
1. A worldwide movement, arising
from a laudable desire for better liv-
ing conditions.
2. A protest against low wages, long
hours and improper working conditions
in many industries.
8. A desire on the part OF the work
ers for a voice in the determination OF
conditions under which they labor and
revolt against arbitrary treatment OF
individual workers and a suppression
of organizations. This was almost
unanimously asserted by the labor wit
nesses.
4. Unemployment and insecurity of
employment.
5. Unjust distribution of the prod
ucts of industry.
s. misunderstanding and prejudice.
7. Agitation and agitators. Generally
condemned by employers and defended
by labor representatives.
8. Rapid rise of prices as compared
to wages.
9. A rapidly growing feeling that re-
dress for injuries and oppression can
not be secured through existing insti-
tutions.
at has been stated by many wit
nesses," the report says, that the ire
mendous immigration of the last quar-
ter century, while not itself direct
cause of unrest, has served TO accentu-
ate the conditions arising from other
causes by creating an oversupply Of
labor unfamiliar with American Gus
toms, language and conditions. This
question then is presented:
as there need for changes, improve
ments and adaptations, or must en-
tirely new machinery be devised for
the control of Industry"
The final report of the commission
will be submitted next August.
The witnesses examined included ISL
affiliated with employers, 1873 affiliated
with labor, and 100 not with either
group.
in the opinion of many employers
much trouble is due to politicians, ir-
responsible sgitators, labor leaders who
wish to keep themselves in office and
graft on employers, the universal craze
to get rich quick, decay of old ideas OF
honesty and thrift, misinformation in
newspapers, violence in labor troubles,
sympathetic strikes and judicial dis
putes, boycotting and picketing, med
dlesome legislation, and financial ire
sponsibility of labor unions.
The employees claim the conditions
are due to a healthful desire for better
living conditions; to a demand for in
dustrial democracy and revolt against
the suppression of organization; to
unemployment and to insecurity the
wage Garner feels at all times; to un-
Just distribution of products; to unjust
attitude of the police and courts; to
immigration and oversupply OF labor;
to unjust standards, which sanction q
poor living in return for hard manual
labor and luxury for persons who per-
form no actual service. Control by
big business" over industry and the
state; inefficiency of workers on ac-
count Of lack of training; unfair COM
petition from prison and other exploit
cd labor; rapid pace of modern indus
try which results in accident and old
age; lack of attention to sickness and
accidents; arbitrary discharge of en-
ployes; promotion of violence by use
OF gunner and spies; attempt to de-
stroy unions by the open shop; sup
preston of free speech and peaceful
assembly are other causes given.