Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-08
THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL
RELATIONS PRESENTS CARDINAL
CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL UNREST

cuiPAoySiS.
Attempt to destroy unionism by the
pretense of the open shop
"Monopolization of land and natural
resources.
Suppression OF free speech and
right OF peaceful assembly"
On the principle of collective bar
gaining the investigators found vir-
tually all witnesses with the exception
of those representing the Industrial
Workers of the World to be in accord.
AS to any suggested method of appli-
cation of that principle. however. wide
divergence of opinion was noted. In
this connection the report adds:
"A majority of the best informed
witnesses who have appeared before
the commission have insisted, however,
upon the necessity of securing a pro-
per basis upon which such collective
barbaining can be carried out 1t is
impossible to analyze these sugges-
tons at this time, but it may be well
to note that practically all of the most
experienced witnesses have insisted
upon the necessity for strong organi
cation of both employers and employees
as a fundamental basis for the success
full conduct of collective bargaining
The report takes up in detail eriti
, eisms of existing trade unions which
it says came from employers and rad
ieals who advocate other forms of lab
or organization. There are Is detailed
criticisms in this list with an addi-
tional list of seven specific objections
to present labor union methods made
by Industrial Workers OF the World.
Paralelling these lists, q detailed
criticisms of employers organizations
are presented coming from labor rep
resentatives. The labor men, however,
were unanimous in favoring strong
organizations by employers TO further
collective agreements with employees.
While virtually unanimous agree
ment of witnesses was found in
favor of the formation of a Federal
Commission of Mediation and Con-
Citation. the report points out that
practically every witness has ex-
pressed the strongest disapproyal of
any form OF compulsory arbitration,
Arbitration was suggested only as a
last resort and then to be purely vol
untary witnesses agreed that media
tors should be bipartisan, that they
should have full power of investiga-
ton, that their contact with industry
or industries with which they are ex-
pected to deal should be as nearly con-
tinuous as possible. that they should,
If possible. act before dispute has
come to head, and that adequate in
ducements should be offered to obtain
the best possible men.
THE testimony of a majority Of the
employers was in favor of rule SIM
liar to that of the Canadian Industrial
Disputes Act, which prohibits strikes
and lockouts in public utilities pend
ing investigation by the mediators, as
sisted by representatives of the en-
ployers and employees. Such a law Is
uniformly opposed by the representa-.
tives of labor on the ground that it Is
| entirely in favor OF the employer, who
utilizes the period of delay to make
preparations for breaking the strike.
1t is also insisted that such q delay
would be in violation of that provision
of the Constitution Of the United
States which prohibits involuntary
servitude'
Regarding trade unions and employ
ers' associations. the Commission an
nounees that 1t is making compre-
hensive study OF a large number OF
typical organizations. The Commission
says:
Against many of these associations
and unions grave charges of serious
import to the welfare of the country.
If they be proved true, thave been laid
| before the Commission, and it Is only 1
by the most painstaking, impartial
and unrelenting examination that the
facts can be developed, and such ex-
animation We are now prosecuting"
The commissions experts also are
looking into questions of unorganized
labor, scientific management in shops
ass it effects employees. women and
children in industry, land problems,
unemployment, social legislation and
labor and the law. OF unemployment
the report says:
Nothing comes so clear to the
Commission as the imperative necessity
of organizing market for labor on a
modern business basis. SO that there
will be no vacant jobs and idle work.
ers in the same community at the
same time. or within distance where
the transportation is practicable. The
coneensus of opinion is that legisia-
| ton for a national system of labor eN-
changes is an immediate necessity.
The plan of the Commission proposes
to establish Bureau of Employment
in the Department of Labor, which
would cooperate with state and muni-
cipal employment offices, regulate
private agencies doing interstate busi-
ness, and establish clearing houses for
distributing information. uniting all
labor exchanges into one national
system"
Proposals for constructive legisla-
ton, the report announces, will be
submitted to Congress covering labor
exchanges Industrial Education, No-
cational Guidance, and Apprentice
ship; Safety, Sanitation, Health OF
Employees, and administration of avs
relating thereto; Smuggling Of Asia
tics; Mediation, Cancellation, and Ar
bitration; Woman and Child Labor,
Minimum Wage. Hours of Labor
Agriculture and Farm Labor; Social
Insurance, especially workmens SEX
ness, and invalidity Insurance.; and
Labor and the Law.