Evening star., 1915-01-21
Daniel Guggenheim Also Fa-
vors U. S. Agencies to Find
Work for Unemployed.
GIVE WORKERS SHARE
OF PROFITS, HE ADVISES
Capitalist, Along With Others, Tes-
titles Before Commission on
Industrial Relations.

NEW YORK. January 2l-Taxation
Of large fortunes. upon the death OF
their owners. to aid the poor, the estab-
lishment of government agencies to
find work for the unemployed and pro-
vision for the comfort of aged workers
were advocated by Daniel Guggenheim.
president of the American Smelling
and Refining Company. in testimony
today at the inquiry by the federal
commission on industrial relations into
the great philanthropic foundations
and the causes of Industrial unrest.
Mr.. Guggenheim said that, as a CAPT
talist, he favored these measures, de-
spite the fact that they constitute some
of the cardinal ideas OF socialism He
also advocated Industrial democracy
wherein the worker received a portion
Of the profits derived from the products
of his labor
Industrial unrest was caused to a
great extent, the witness believed by
the increased cost of living. In his
opinion the philanthropic organizations
did not effect much relief from poverty.
as the average worker was reluctant
to accept charity and preferred en-
ployment. The witness did not know
how many men are employed by any OF
the companies he is connected with.
Mr.. Guggenheim said he kept himself
advised as to labor conditions among
his employees, and that he personally
paid frequent visits to the various
plants.
Holds Directors Responsible.
The executive committees OF the va
rious companies. he said. were con-
stantly visiting plants and mines and
keeping themselves informed to
conditions. Mr.. Guggenheim said that
for the last year his health had not
been good, but that prior to that he
had regularly visited plants in New
Jersey, Colorado. Missouri. Washington
and Mexico. Mr.. Guggenheim said in
the mining business the directors and
not the stockholders were absolutely
responsible for labor and other condi-
tions.
AS for devices for improving the con-
ditions of five workers; the witness ssssini said.
Company had installed many things
not only to improve labor conditions.
but to raise the standard of efficiency
The company found that by SO aoing.
the output was increased and business
generally was improved.
The witness said emphatically that
he did not believe laborers in smelt-
ing and refining works should be per-
mitted to work more than eight hours
a day. The increasing high cost OF
living. the witness believed, was the
cause of unrest among workers. Wage
earners. he thought. had as much right
to organize as capitalists: the Ameri-
can Smelling and Refining Company
had no objection to organizers going
among the employees, provided they did
not interfere with the operation OF the
plants.
Mr.. Guggenheim said he believed in
dustrial discomfort was on the in
crease, and had been for some years.
Thinks Discomfort VIII Increase.
"And It will continue to Increase, un-
less some remedial measures are tax
en-" he said. The trouble 10 We
haven't had enough legislation. We
are away behind Europe. We need
more business legislation"
Mr. Guggenheim said he didn't
want to advertise" the philanthropic
organizations with which he was con-
nected "I do not want to tell what
I've done." he said. I've done all that
I can I don't think any OF US give
enough. I'll tell you. though. that I
am interested in many hospitals. homes
and societies"
He said he did not believe the great
philanthropic organizat; ons were doing
the work thew were supposed to do.
'It is a job for the state. not for
private benefaction," he testified.
MANY people don't want charity They
want work. The state should find il
for them. The state should tax great
fortunes when rich men die and 4 ere
by receive money to take care of the
people until they can get along"
Workers should be taught to save.
he said. They could not save now be-
cause they didn't get enough money
to permit them, but they could save,
he said, If they received as they
should. a part of the profits Of the
industries in which they were en-
ployed.
Doubts Acquaintance of Conditions.
e J. Berwind. owner of coal mines
and director in many coal-mining cor
porations and coal-carrying railroads.
testified that he believed directors and
stockholders were not as well ac-
quainted with labor conditions as they
should be.
August Belmont, director in the In
terborough Rapid Transit Company OF
this city. and many other public service
corporations, who was a witness yes.
strikes will come SO long as the work
er does not regard his employment az
a contract with his employer, to be
terminated when either is justifiably
dissatisfied. He did not believe. ho
said, that a concentrated Industrial
council' would be effective in setting
disputes between labor and capital. be
cause such q body would likely os
stronely permeated with politics.