The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-08
US. URGED TO FORM
LABOR EXCHANGES
Federal Industrial Board Rec
Ommends a National Bureau
of Employment.
CAUSES OF UNREST GIVEN

WAsHtSGroS, Dec. THE Federal
Commission on Industrial Relations. which
was appointed by Congress TO inquire into
the causes Of industrial unrest and to
recommend remedial measures, filed to-
day It's first annual report. which covers
q years work beginning in October, 1919.
Nothing comes go clear to the COM
mission as the imperative necessity OF
organizing a market for labor on a mod
ern business basis, SO that there will he
no vacant jobs and idle workers in the
same community at the same time. or
within distances where the transporta-
ton In pracr icable" says the report.
The consensus of opinion In that leg
islation for national system of labor
exchanges ~ an immediate necessity.
The plan OF the commission proposes to
establish bureau OF employment in the
Department OF Labor which would CO.
operate with state and municipal en-
ployment offices. regulate private agencies
doing interstate business and establish
clearing houses for distributing informa-
ton uniting all labor exchanges into one
national system.
the system of casual labor. by which
men are hired for few hours II day, a
not only TO industry but to American
institutions. From casual and infrc-
quent labor II is but a step to practical
vagrancy and general disintegratlon and
out of these despairs and revolts serious
danger threatens organized society"
AnalyZing the testimony OF witnesses
at the hearings the commission finds sub
stantial agreement by all witnesses as 20
some OF the causes OF industrial unrest.
These causes. the report says generally
agreed upon. are found 10 be as follows:
Largely worldwide movement
arising from a laudablc desire for
better living conditions Advanced by
representatives OF labor. socialists and
employers and generally Endorsed.
4 protest against low wages. long
hours and improper working cond-
tons In many industries. Advanced
by practically all labor representa-
tivee and asscnted 10 by many EN-.
ployers.
A desire on the part OF the workers
for a voice In she determination of
conditions under which they labor. and
revolt against arbitrary treatment
OF individual workers and a suppress
sion OF organization. This was almost
uniformly approved by labor wit
nesscs.
Unemployment and rhe insecurity
%. employment. generally advanced by
witnesses lrOln tltIhpOlHls
Unjus: distribution OF the products
~ industry. Advanced by mos labor
, representatives and agreed TO by moet
employers and employees.
Agitation and. agcators. Generally
advanced by employers. but defended
by labor representatives and others as
necessary means Of education.
The rapid rise N prices as compared
with wages.
The rapidly growing feeling that
fedress for injuries and oppression
cannot be secured through existing
| institutions.
In addition" says the report. "it ha
| been stated by many witnesses that n
tremendous immigration of the last quar-
| ter century. while not itself dire
| cause OF unrest. has served 10 accentua'
she conditions arising from other caus'
| 10y creating an oversupply OF labor ~
| familiar with American customs. Ian
guage and conditions
Frank = Walsh OF Kansas Cty .
chairman OF the commission