Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-07
CAUSES OF UNREST
DEFINED In REPORT
BEFORE CONGRESS
Commission on Industrial Re
lations Makes Preliminary
Statement of the Result Of
Its Investigation.

! the hundreds OF witnesses from variou
! walks OF life who appeared before it
were embodied in the preliminary re
port by the Commission on Industria
Relations submitted TO Congress toda,
for the year beginning October %, 1918.
An important feature OF the report 4,
the announcement Of the commission
that, In the complete report, which II
viii present next August II will recon-
mend constructive program Of social
legislation, which, the commission saws.
II considers necessary and vital to the
interests OF the people Of the United
States.
The report Will cover labor exchanges,
industrial education, vocational guidance
ana apprenticeship. safety. sanitation
health of employees and administration
or laws relating thereto. smuggling OF
Aslaties, mediation. Cancellation and
arbittation, women and child labor,
minimum wage, hours of labor, agrl-
culture and farm labor, social insurance,
workmen's sickness and invalidlty in
surance and labor and the law.
The report presents an outline of the
research and investigation work now
under way and summary of the testi-
nony OF more than 500 witnesses. includ-
Ing employers. workmen. trade unIonists,
economists. public officials and others,
who have appeared before the commis-
mission at public hearings in various
cities.
SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY.
The most interesting part of the re-
port is the summary Of the testimony at
public hearings. These have been held
in Washington, New York. PHILADELPHIA,
Boston, Chicago. Lead City. S. D.; Pat.
land. Ore; San Francisco and Los An
geles. O..
Analyzlng the testimony of witnesses
at the hearings, the commission finds sub.
stantial agreement by all witnesses as to
some OF the causes of industrial unrest
These causes" the report says, gen
orally agreed upon are found to be as
Largely n worldwide movement aris-
ing from laudable desire for better liv-
Ing conditions. Advanced by representa-
tiVcs of labor, Socialists and employers,
and generally indorsed.
"A protest against low wages long
hours and improper working conditions in
many industries. Advanced by practically
all labor representatives and assented TO
by many employers.
"A desire on the part OF the workers for
a voice in the determination of conditions
under which they labor and revolt
against arbitrary treatment of Individual
workers and a suppression OF organiza-
lion. This was almost uniformly ap-
proved by labor witnesses.
unemployment and the insecurity OF
employment. Generally advanced by wit
lesses from every standpoint
Unjust distribution of the products or
industry. Advanced by most labor rep
'esentatives and agreed to by most en-
oloyers, fs'
Misunderstanding and prejudice. Agreed
o by employers and employees
Agitation and agitators. Generally ad.
'aneed by employers but defended by
abor representatives and others as
means of education.
The rapid rise in prices as compared
With wages.
THE rapidly growing feeling that re-
ress for injuries and oppression cannot
e secured through existing institutions.
I'm addition" says the report, ''it has |
'een stated by many witnesses that the |
tremendous immigration of the last quar- |
er century, while not itself direct cause |
# unrest, has served to accentuate the |
onditlons arising from other causes, bv /
reating an oversupply of labor unfa-
niliar with American customs. language
nd conditions"
CAUSES OF UNREST.
Causes of unrest advanced by employ
RS, at the hearings are stated as follows.
Normal and healthy desire for better
living conditions.
misunderstanding and prejudice. Lack
# conception that interests Of both labor
md capital are identical.
Agitation by politicians and irresponsi-
lie agitators.
Unemployment.
Unreasonable demands arising from
trength OF organization
Labor leaders who stir up trouble 10
,eep themselves in office and TO graft on
Employers.
Inefficiency OF workers, resulting i'm
cost on living
Rapidly Increasing complexity OF in
ustry.
Sudden transition of a large number OF
orelgners from repression 10 freedom.
5hich makes them an easy prey to labor
gitators.
Universal craze TO get rich quick.
Decay of old ideas OF honesty and thrift
Mislnformation IN newspapers.
Too much organization for combatlvs
urposes instead OF for cooperation.
Violence in labor troubles
Sympathetic strikes and jurlsdictional
isputes.
Boycotting and pieketlng,
Meddlesome and burdensome LEGISLATION.
The closed shop, which makes for labor
monopoly Financial irresponsibility OF
abor unions.
Practically every witness" says the
eport. has expressed the Strongest dis
pproyal of any form Of compulsory arr
itration Arbitration was suggested only
s last resort and then to be purely
There was practically unanimous
greement among the witnesses that the
OF a Federal Commission of
Iediation and Cancellation, composed OF
preventative employers and employees,
nuld be q desirable step toward the es-
,blishment OF Industrial peace and the
Of the nation from the dam
ge resulting from protracted strikes and
ekOUts with which the individual States
aem incapable OF dealing.
1t was impressed upon the oommis-
on however that the very greatest
and care should Be given
the organization Of such 4 commits
on and that before all. tlfe method OF
slecting its members should be such as
secure the representation OF the in
rests Involved and the exclusion Of
olltleB" ~
The preliminary report Was 4ubmlttsd
; Frank z, Walsh, OF Kansas City,
aairman Of the commission,
STUDENTS PLIGHT FROTH
Tiss ormrod, Of Miss Marshalps
ehool, Bride Of BIuhlsnhsrg Junior.