University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-08-27
CONDITIONS BAD. THFY SAY
lhree Milllonaires Dissent Surprisingly in
\ First Section OF Industrial Relations Com
\ mission Report, Just Issued.

at times, through the authorities. at
tempted to suppress free speech and
the right of peaceful assembly; and
that some have deliberately. for self
ish ends. bribed representatives of la
Dor. All these things, we find, tend to
produce industrial unrest, with all its
consequent and far-reaching ills.
"LabOr Has Many Grievances,
There is, therefore. no gainsaying
the fact that labor has had many
grievances, and that it is thoroughly
justified in organizing and in spread
ing organization in order better to
protect itself against exploitation and
oppression.
"On the other hand, in justice to en-
ployers generally. there has been
much evidence to show that there is
an awakening among the enlightened
employers of the nation. who have
taken a deeper personal interest in the
welfare of their workers than ever
before in industrial history"
The main report deals almost en-
tirely with the causes of industrial I'M
rest. 1t was adopted in full by Com
missioners Florence ]. Hartman, and
in part by Commissioners Weinstock,
Ballard and Ashton
The following excerpts show some
of the findings.
1t recommends the enactment of an
inheritance tax law, making generous
provision for dependents, which shall
leave no larger accumulation of
wealth to pass into the hands which
had no share in its production. The
revenue from this tax is to be used
by the Federal Government for the ex-'
tension of education, the develop
ment of social services of national i'm
portance and the development of CO.
operation with states and municipal
titles in constructive work, such as
road building, irrigation and refor-
estation.
Congress could pass no laws better
than these Immediately and ultimate
ly to temper the existing spirit of I'M
rest, the report declares.
Unemployment and denial of oppor-
tunity to earn a living will nOt be ap-
preciably received until its two prime
causes-unjust distribution of wealth
and monopolization of land and natur-
al resources-be removed.
Would Get Back Stolen Land.
The committee suggests vigorous
and unrelenting prosecution to regain
all land. water power and minera
rights secured from the Government
by fraud. Further, future land grants
should be governed with regard to SUI
perior use, in which the greatest So
cial utility shall be given preference;
and by forcing all unused land into
use by taxing unproductive land, ex-
empting improvements.
There is no condition, in the opin-
ion of the committee, which more inn
mediately demands the attention of
Congress than unemployment, which
is driving hundreds of thousands an
nually to poverty and bitter despair.
sapping the very basis of our national
efficiency and terminating the seeds
of revolution.
With full recognition of the gravity
of the suggestions, the report deems
it necessary to urge the commission to
make the following recommendations;
that Congress Immediately enact by
statute or, if deemed necessary, initi-
ate a constitutional amendment, spe-
officially prohibiting the courts from
declaring legislative acts unconstitu-
%tional," and drastically regulate or
prohibit private detective agencies and
private employment agencies from do
ing business in more than n state,
or using the mails in connection with
their business. Such regulation
should limit their activities to the
bona fide functions of detecting crime,
and adequate provision should be
made for rigid supervision of their or
g~anization and personnel. And furth-
er, it recommends, that the militia be
regulated by Congress so as to insure
impartiality during industrial dis
putes.
Would Protect Union Men.
Statutes should be enacted prohibit
ing the discharge of any person be-
cause of his membership in a labor
organization. 1t is recommended that
the Federal Trade Commission be
specifically empowered and directed
by Congress in determining unfair
methods of competition to take into
account and specifically investigate
the unfair treatment of labor in all
respects, with particular reference to