Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-09-14
TWO-THIRDS OF TOuERs BELOW THE
ABSOLUTE POVERTY LINE, SAYS WALSH

San Francisco.-"I an era Of the
greatest productivity the world has
ever known. in land Of freedom and
education liberty. in the face of the
worlds greatest effort of organized
labor. tw0-tmrds of those engaged in
toll in the United States are below
the absolute poverty line" declared
Frank T. Walsh, chairman of the Fed
eraI Commission GA Industrial Rela-
tons, in addressing 5000 wage earn
ers o5 all nauonalitles. who crowded
into the Court of the Universe at the
exposition to hear him.
Walsh was introduced by Dan Muir
phs, president of the San Francisco
Labor council, and was greeted with
daatening applause. He was deeply
affected hy the ovation accorded him
and expressed his profound sense of
appreciation for the opportunity TO adj
dress the great gathering
Sensible as am Of the compli-
mel- implied by your welcome, /
realize that I am not here in q per-
sogal capacity said Walsh, but as
q low-citizen lately in your employ
and Sc close to the heart of labor that
/ could hear its heart-throbs.
Three years ago the country was
shocked into a realization that it had
p labor problem. Some of as already
knew IT, What seemed to bring it
home to many was the fact that in
this prosperous country there was an
allied problem Of poverty,
I'm response to the demand Of the
people. congress created commits
sion of three parts. representing en-
pIoyersd employees and the public, to
investigate the causes of social uu-
rest AS representative of the pub
ltc was honsred by being made
chairman Of the commission. and in
that capacity I performed my duties
as God gave me strength.
Begin Investigation.
Through public hearings. with the
aid Of the best experts. we made an
intensive investigation Of the princi- /
pal industries TO determine the cause
OF discomfort This investigation
challenged men and women and all
fields Of product 1t was a card in
daX Of laughter. tears and misery Of /
an human being who toll. We gather /
ed the facts surrounding industry.
I have been criticized for lacking /
what is called judicial poise. I hope /
we have seen the last commission |
dealing with the labor that approaches /
its work with judicial poise It is d /
splendid mask behind which truth /
may be hidden
THE commission made G hrst-hand /
intensive investigation OF facts and /
has presented same to Judge and jury .
the people, When I started the work F..
found that had offended the judi
element by submitting the
facts gathered 10 the people through
public hearings. But I never have
and never viii make any apology for
my personal conduct of the affairs Of
the commission. viii stake my life
on the integrity OF the facts gathered.
To-day, in the great basic indus
tries, men toll L hours a day, 365 days
IN che year, without being able to
make enough to keep a wife and fam
by In common decency.
We lGanQ Ilat N this country OF
greatest resources and education one
third Of the toilers receiving remun-
Grafton that barely brings them above
he poverty-Iine, Two-thirds are in
ab5ect poverty Il
Below Living Wage.
we found that one-half Of the
workers receive less than $500 per
-ear. which IS about $500 less than
authorities agree is a standard living
wage. Two-thirds OF the male adult
workers receive less than SIS per
week
There are more than 5000 600 wo-
oen workers in this country, more !
han one-haf Of whom are receiving !
ess than S. per week
In = per cant OF the homes two or