The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-08-31
OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
Member Of Interstate Commission
Makes Interesting Report.

Chicago, Aug 25.- The Supple
mental Opinion and Suggestions of
S. Thumston Ballard, made public
here today in connection with the re-
ports of the United States Commits
sion on Industrial Relations, in ad-
dition to other things says: Tine
commission shall seek to discover he
underlying causes of dissatisfaction
In the industrial situation and report
its conclusions thereon"
The causes of industrial unrest may
be put under five main groups:
"First-Low wages.
nd-Unemployment, through
seasonal occupations, periods of de-
preston, accidents and sickness.
"Third-The development of large
| industries.
"Fourth-Long working hours and
| insanitary conditions.
Fifth - Unsatisfactory rural con-
ditions.
II will analyze each of these groups
separately
"F1rst-Low wages with all the at
! tendant evils, / consider the prime
cause for industrial unrest.
| One of the chief factions in wage
depression is undoubtedly the en-
couraged, stimulated and probably as
sisted immigration, which has brought
to our shores millions of unskilled
workers in the last few years These
| immigrants coming from those coun-
tries where vastly lower wage rates
prevail, develop in America a wage
competition of which the employer
naturally takes advantage.
THE European war will probably
relieve this immigration situation for
the next few years, but it is question
to which our government must give
serious consideration, in the near fu-
ture.
, "Inefficiency of the unskilled
worker is also contributory cause OF
low wages. The average applicant
for work is irresponsible and untrain-
ed.
with all our Wanted free school
system, our industrial education is de-
plorable. In our large cities, they are
beginning to consider the question
seriously, but our rural schools are
lamentably inefficient This inefi-
cheney, which tends to lower the whole
ottlAudIN, SdH NC COIIcClGu OILY
through improved educational facil-
tiles.
Government assistance should be
given to aid in the establishment of
vocational, trade and continuation
schools, as part of our public school
system.
1.-THE gravitation of industries into
large units has caused the skilled
worker to be supplanted by the UNI
skilled, who becomes merely cog in
the wheel of the great machine, per-
forming the monotonous duties tina,
anyone could easily do after a few
weeks practice.
: The wages of the unskilled labor
er are so pitiably small that it is al
most Impossible for him to maintain
a family even with the most rigi,
economy.
II suggest as the only remedy TO
low wages due to these conditions, thu
enactment of a national minimum
wage law.
Second Under the second caus,
of industrial Unemployment
we have seasOnable occupations, as
for example, ice cutting and logging
in winter, harvesting and fruit pick
IlB III SuIluleF.
This problem will always be will
US, and should be dealt with through
an efficient system Of national en-
ployment agencies, to be administered
by the federal government.
Private employment agencies have
proved inadequate, have even in many
cases been used to exploit the worker
|, therefore, strongly recommend thai
all employment agencies be managed
by the government.
We have also, unemployment due
to periods of depression The federal
employment agencies would take care
of these cases, bringing, when possible
the man and the job together, but in
periods of long depression, when nc
work is to be found, government
state and municipal work, which had
been held in reserve for this purpose
should then be provided
Should all these resources be ex.
hausted and there still remain un.
employed workers, there should be
government concentration camps
where work with small wage woul6
be provided, supplemented by agricul
tural and industrial training
THE fear of unemployment be.
cause or accident or illness fosters
a feeling of discomfort which tends
to cause industrial unrest
"Workmen's compensation laws
and sickness insurance, with proper
restrictions, would be the proper cor
receives here.
"Workmens compensation laws
thus far developed protect the mar
only when accident occurs during
working hours, and this is paid fol
entirely by the employer If an acct
dent occurs causing injury to mar
just before entering his work place
the consequent loss to his family i:
just as great as though he had beer
hurt five minutes later within the
factory walls. and yet he receive.
nothing.
Il therefore, recommend that thu
workmen's compensation act SHOULD
provide insurance against accident
wherever, and whenever caused Thi,
{rnc lNv pnv~ t0x oh H. T.