The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-08

from
packing stock.
pretense of the open shop
"Monopolzation of land and natural re-
sources.
Suppression of free speech and right
of peaceful assembly.
"On the principle of collective bargain
Ing the investigators found virtually all
witnesses with the exception of those
representing the Industrial Workers Of
the World to be In accord AS to any
suggested method of application of that
principle, however. wide divergence of
opinion was noted. In this connection
the report adds:
"A majority of the best informed wit
nesses who have appeared before the
commission have insisted however upon
the necessity of securing a proper basis
upon Which such collective bargaining
can be carried out 1t is impossible to
analyze these suggestions at this time.
but 1t may be we'll to note that prac-
tically all of the most experienced wit
nesses have insisted upon the necessity
for strong organization of both employ
ers and employees as a fundamental basis
for the successful conduct OF collective
bargaining
Detailed Criticisms
The report takes up in detail criticisms
OF existing trade unions which it says
came from employers and radicals who
advocate other forms of labor organiza-
ton. There are Is detailed criticisms in
this list with an additional list of seven
specific objections to present labor union
methods made by Industrial Workers of
the World
Paralelling these lists, q detailed criti-
elsms OF employers organizations are
presented, coming from labor representa-
tives. The labor men, however, were
unanimous in favoring strong organiza-
tons by employers to further collective
agreement of witnesses was found in
favor of the formation of n federal COM
mission of mediation and Cancellation. the
report points out that practically every
witness has expressed the strongest dis
approval of any form of compulsory ar
bitration
Arbitration was suggested only as q
last resort and then to be purely volun-
tary Witnesses agreed that mediators
should be bipartisan, that they should
have full power of investigation, that
their contact with industry or industries
with which they are expected to deal
should be nearly continuous al posi-
BILE, that they should If possible, act
before a dispute has come TO a head
and that adequate inducements should
be offered to obtain the best possible
men.
Favor Dispute Acts
THE testimony of majority of the
employers was in favor of a rule SIM
| liar to that of the Canadian Industrial
| Disputes act, which prohibits strikes and
| lockouts in public utilities pending inves-
| tigation by the mediators, assisted by
| representatives of the employers and en-
pioyes. Such a law is uniformly opposed
nv bot xyao .f Lob he
ground that 1t is entirely in favor of
| the employer, who utilities the period of
| delay to make preparations for breaking
| the strike. 1t is also insisted that such
a delay would be in violation of that pro-
| vision of the constitution of the United
| States which pohibits involuntary serv-
| itude."
Regarding trade unions and employers
associations, the commission announces
| that it is making a comprehensive study
| of large number of typical organiza-
| lions. The commission says:
Against many of these associations
and unions grave charges of serious i'm
port to the welfare of the country ii
| they be proved true, have been laid be-
| fore the commission. and 1t is only by
the most painstaking, impartial and I'M
| relenting examination that the facts can
| be developed, and such examination we
are now prosecuting"
| The commissions experts also are look.
| ing into questions of unorganized labor
scientific management in shops as it af.
! fects employees, women and children il
| industry. land problems, unemployment
| social legislation and labor and the law
OF unemployment, the report says:
| Organized Market Needed
Nothing comes SO clear to the com
| mission as the imperative necessity OF
| organizing market for labor on mod
ern basis so that there will be no va.
cant Jobs and idle workers in the sam,
| community at the same time or within
| distance where the transportation is prac
| ticable. The consensus of opinion Is thai
| legislation for a national system of labol
| exchanges Is an immediate necessity Tn,
plan of the commission proposes to estab
| lish a bureau of employment of labor
| which would cooperate with state an.
| municipal employment offices, regulate
private agencies doing interstate business
! and establish clearing houses for distri
buting information, uniting all labor ex
changes into one national system"
| Proposals for constructive legislation
the report announces. will be submitted
| to Congress covering labor exchanges
industrial education, vocational guidance
| and apprenticeship, safety, sanitation
health of employees, and administration
o. laws relating thereto, smuggling O
Asiatics, mediation, Cancellation and ar
| bltration, women and child labor, mini
| mum wages. hours of labor agriculture
| and farm labor. social insurance. espec
tally workmen's and sickness, and in
validity insurance, and labor and the law
SELMA