The Alaska daily empire., 1914-12-18
INDUSTRIAL UNREST
 COMMISSION REPORT

The Empire has received an aaynnee copy of the report of the United States commssion on industrial re- latlona, l was released lor pppllea- ,lon lor iaa, Monday
 Tho reasona for ind1elrlai unress constitute the arst annual report " states no conclpeions, put eimply aum- marlaes tho testimony of 300 wit nesses taken at hearings in Wasn'l incton. Now York, Pateraon, Phila- delphia. Boston. Chicago Lead, s. Dyl Butte, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles
 Tho causes Of Industrial unrest generally agreed upon by both tAaI employer and employed are set iortn as follows:
 Largely a worldwide movement aris'I ing from laudable desire for better iy- Ling conditions.
 Protest against low wages, lone hours and Improper worlSlng conoi- dons in many industries-adyanced by labor representatives and assent ed to by many employers.
 Desire by workers for 2 voice as Co conditions under which they labor and a reyolt against arbitrary treat ment Of Individual workera and sup pression Of organization. This was almost uniformly approved by labor witnesaea.
 Unemployment and insecurity of em- ] ployment-generally advanced by wit- nesses from every standpoint
 Unjust distribution oi products or ! industry advanced by most labor rep resentatiyes. agreed Co by most em- 1 ployors.
 ] Misunderstanding and p9eludice- agreed to by employers and employees.
 Agitation and agitators-generally advanced by employers, but defended | by labor representatives and others as a necessary means Of education
 Rapid rise in prices compared with wages
 Growing feeling that redress for Injuries and oppression cannot be se- 1 cured through existing institutions.
 In addition" says the report "it ! has been stated by many witnesses that tremendous immigration of the last quarter century has accentuated conditions arising from other causes, by creating oversupply Of labor un- familiar with American customs language and conditions.
 Causes of unrest advanced by em- ! ployers were:
 Misunderstanding and prejudice. Lack Of conception that interests of | both labor and capital arc Identical
 Agitation by politicians and irres' ! ponsible agitators
 Unemployment
 Unreasonable demands arising from strength of organization.
 Labor leaders who stir up troubles to keep themselyes in office and to graft on employers.
 Ineficiency of workers. resulting in increasing cost of living
 Rapidly increasing complexity of in' dustry
 l Universal craze to set rich quick,
 Decay Of old ideas of honesty and thrift
 Too much organization for combatiye purposes instead of for cooperation.
 Violence in labor troubles.
 Sympathetic strikes and iurlsdic- tlonal disputes
 Boycotting and picketing.
 Meddlesome and burdensome legis- lation
 The closed shop. which makes for labor monopoly. Financial irresponsi- bnity of labor unions.
 By employees the following causes of unrest were advanced:
 Protest against low wages, long hours. unnanitary and dangerous con- dltions in many industries.
 Unemployment and in security which the wage earner feels at all times.
 Unjust distribution of tho profit of industry. Exploitation of the many by the favored few" Demand for full share Of production"
 Unjust attitude of police and courts,
 One law for the rich and another for the poor
 Immigration and consequent over supply of labor.
 4 "double-standard," which sanctions only a poor living in return for hardest labor. and luxury for persons who perform no useful service whatever
 Control by Big Business" over both industry and state.
 Inemciency of workers through lack of proper training
 Unfair competition from prison and other exploited labor
 Rapid pace of, modern industry which results in accidents end pre- mature old age.
 Arbitrary discharge Of employees.
 Blacklisting of individual employees.
 Exploitation of women and children in industry.
 Promotion Of violence by the use ofl gunmen, spies and provokers hired by employers
 Attempt to destroy unionism by pre- tense of Open shop.
 Monopohzation of land and natural assembly.
 Regarding mediation and arbitration says the report expert witness from both sides unanimously endorsed medi- ation used to greatest possible extent and that machinery for prompt im- partial arbitration be developed to secure peaceful settlement where