Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-23
OPINIONS AND SUCCESS
TIONS, S. T. BALLARD

Chicago, Aug. 22.-The Supple
mental Opinions and Suggestions" Of
Is. Thurston Ballard, made public here
to-day in connection with the reports
(of the United States Commission on
industrial Relations, follow:
1.-THE law creating the United States
Commission on Industrial Relations. in
addition to other things. says: THE
Commission shall seek to discover the
underlying causes Of dissatisfaction
i'm, the industrial situation and report
l1ts conclusions thereon.
7 1.-THE causes Of industrial unrest may
lbe put under five main groups:
! "Ist--Low wages.
"2nd-Unemploymen through sea-
Isonal occupations. periods of depres-
sion, accidents and sickness.
"3rd-The development Of large in
Idustries.
"4th-Long working hours and in
isanitary conditions.
"5th-Unsatisfactory rural condi-
tons.
Il will analyze each of these groups
separately.
list. Low wages with all the at
tendant evils I consider the prime
cause for industrial unrest.
zone of the chief factions in wage
depression is undoubtedly the encour-
aged, stimulated and probably assist
ed immigration, which has brought to
our shores millions Of unskilled work.
,ers in the last few years. These immi-
grants coming from those countries
where vastly lower wage. rates prevail,
develop in America a wage COMPETE
ton Of which the employer naturally
takes advantage.
: "The European war will probably re-
lieve this immigration situation for
the next few years, but it is a question
to which our Government must give
serious consideration, in the near fu-
iture.
"Inefticiency of the unskilled worker
Is also contributory cause Of low
wages. The average applicant for
work is irresponsible and unframed.
With all our Wanted free school
system, our Industrial education is de-
plorable. In our large cities, they are
beginning to consider the question Sc
riously. but our rural schools are la
mentally deficient. This inefficiency.
which tends to lower the whole stand
ard. can be corrected only through i'm
proved educational facilities.
Government assistance should be
given to aid in the establishment Of
Vocational. Trade and Continuation
Schools, as a part Of our public
school system.
THE gravitation Of industries into
large units has caused the skilled
worker to be supplanted by the un-
skilled. who becomes merely a cog in
the wheel Of the great machine, Der.
forming the monotonous duties that
ANY one could easily do after a few
weeks practice.
The wages Of the unskilled laborer
are SO pitiably small that it is al
most impossible for him to maintain
a family even with the most rigid
economy.
Il suggest as the only remedy for
How Swages, due to these conditions,
the enactment Of a national minimum
wage law.
! '2d-pnder the second cause Of in
dustrial observation-disclosures we
have. seasonal occupations. as, for ex-
ample. ice cutting and logging in
winter harvesting and fruit picking
In summer.
This problem will always be with
Ws,t ands should be dealt with through
AM efficient system Of national en-
p1oyment. agencies, to be admins
kered$by the Federal Government.
r. Private employment agencies have
proved, inadequate, have even in many
cases been used to exploit the worker.
" therefore. strongly recommend that
ar employment agencies be managed
by the Government.
: I'VE shave, also. unemployment due
to periods of depression. The Fed
eral employment agencies would take
care Of these cas<s. bringing, when
possible. the man and the lob to-