New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-04
OBJECTS TO ARMS
in LABOR DISPUTES
Secretary Wilson Favors
Legislation to Regulate
Use of Soldiery.
ASKS MONEY FOR
MEDIATION WORK
First Annual Report of Depart
ment of Labor Tells of In
creased immigration.

Washington, Feb Protest against
the use Of firearms and the employment Of
armed guards and private detectives in
labor disputes and strikes was made by
Secretary W. b. Wilson, Of the Depart
ment of Labor. IN his first annual report
submitted to-day to President Wilson. He
recommends that Congress enact legisla-
ton "withln its constitutional limitations
to regulate this business in the interest OF
public peace and order"
THE use OF firearms" says Secretary
Wilson, Gin a species Of private warfare
in connection with labor strikes calls for
serious consideration. Groups OF men on
both sides. without military or police au-
;horlty for IT, have used firearms with
fatal effect I'm the coal strike In Southern
Colorado These arms and the ammunl-
ton have doubtless been procured through
interstate commerce, and many OF the
armed men are said TO have been I'M
ported into Colorado from other states
through a business concern engaged com
mercially across state lines in supplying
corporations with an armed and trained
private soldiery or police in numbers run
Ming into hundreds and even thousands
on relations of capital and labor Secre-
tarv Wilson takes advanced ground.
THE relation OF employer and wage
Garner" says he, lis no longer personal
or individual because both employers ana
operatives act i'm groups
"It is obvious" the report says, that
this method of employment, generally
necessary for success in modern industry,
may give to employers great contractual
advantages over wage earners. Unless
wage earners also act collectively through
their own agents they are often at prac-
tical disadvantage. Employers who act
collectively in hiring wage earners are
often averse to dealing with agents OF
wage carriers who collectively offer their
services They desire to contract with
wage earners individually. II Is upon this
point that labor disputes frequently spring
I'D and become acute. In most Instances
in which employers accord workmen prac-
teal recognition of the right of collective
bargaining which they themselves eXer-
else fair relations are maintained
II is suggested that Congress clearly de-
fine the functions of the Department OF
Labor in the mediation of labor disputes
and vote an appropriation adequate to
meet the requirements Of mediation work
During the fiscal year ended June 3d.
1913, 1,19T,7S2 immigrants came to this
country. an increase OF 359,720 over the
previous year OF these 9S6.355 were be-
tween fourteen and forty-four years OF
age, 14T,15S were under fourteen and Co.
379 were forty-fve or over. Twenty-six
per cent Of the aliens admitted were
totally illterate. The bulk Of the immi-
grafton came from the countries Of South
ern and Eastern Europe. only 10 per cent
coming from Northern and western
Europe
While the immigration increased +3 per
cent during the last year, the number or
exclusions Of arriving aliens increased
only "A per cent, due. the report indicates.
TO the financial and physical inability Of
the Bureau Of immigration properly to
supervise the great number OF arriving
| aliens.
Under existing arrangements. Of the
$3.50 japanese who applied for admission
during the year lightweight were ex-
Guided.
Difficulties in enforcing the so-called
Chinese exclusion law are discussed b.
Dir. Wilson, with view to the enact
ment of additional legislation and the get
ting of more money with which to protect
the borders of the country. 1t is said
that Chinese continually are being
smuggled across both the northern and
southern borders. and that they come to
the ports Of entry as merchants" stu
dents" natives" and sons OF natives"
when they really are laborers.