The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-16
LAY BAYONNE STRIKE
TO STANDARD OIL CO..
Walsh Commissioners Say Con-
Germ Grinds Wages Down to
Lowest Notch.
ILL TREATMENT ALLEGED

CHICAGO, Aug. 15.-Direct charges are
made in a report by two Investigators
OF the United States Commission on In
dustriai Relations that John D. Rookie
feiler and the Standard OIL Company
not only agree with other employers u
keep wages as low as possible--in fact
at a point insufficient to provide fam
vide no means whereby the men may
present and have heard their complaints
and grievances.
Ii was learned to-day that George p.
West and c. T. Chenery. the investiga-
tors. turned in these findings yesterday
on the Bsyonne. n. j., strike just before
the commission held its last session.
Employees OF the commission will COL
lect the printed reports agreed upon and
forward them to the clerk OF the House
OF Representatives on August 20. The
West-Chenery report, mex TO that by
Mr.. West on the Colorado mine war. Ia
regarded as the most direct ard sensa-
tional declaration contained In the docu-
ments which will be sent TO Congress by
the commission
After declaring that the facts learned
are significant because they display the
manner In which the largest estate in
the world, tina OF Mr.. Rockefeller. con-
trolls It's industry through its enormous
power, Mr.. West and Mr.. Chen-ry make
these statements as findings OF fact
First. The Standard oil Company
OF New Jersey, although conducting an
enormously profitable enterprise. pays
wages too low to maintain a family on
a comfortable. healthful and decent
basis.
Methods of Fixing Wages.
Second. II fixes wages not with re-
lation TO the earnings OF the company,
but by taking into consideration wages
paid by other companies in the same
locality and then fixing the wage as low
as or lower than the prevailing wage IN
hat locality.
"Third-In It's plants al Bayonne the
company maintains what General Man
ager Clifford describes as almost navy
yard discipline The employees. most
OF whom are Poles or Lithuanians. are
regarded as incapable OF enjoying the
benefits OF a democratic organization OF
the labor force, and as requiring a very
firm control.
"Fourth-The company maintains "A
settled policy OF refusing to deal with
any labor organization or professional
labor men,. and even refuses to permit
those employees who annot speak Eng
lish intelligibly to engage an attorney
as their spokesman or representative,
The men are made to understand thai
they must get no outside assistance in
their dealings with the management and
that any show OF independence or any
hint OF compulsion will be vigorously re-
scented.
Fifth As a substitute for permitting
its men TO organize and TO enjoy the
benefits OF a~filiation with a strong labor
organization the company has Instituted
no machinery by which real or fancied
grievances may he adjusted peaceably
and promptly. The employees allege they
would be discharged before reaching
the superintendent's Office II they COM
planned.
Favor Labor by Children.
Sixth. General Manager Clifford Is
not a believer in child labor legislation,
and, on the Other hand. thinks that chill
dren should be allowed to 20 20 work
earlier. lie and General Superintendent
Hennessy apparently have little respect
for the foreign born men whose labor
produces their conpany's earnings"
hiE a. IpbI'lfl lIllf' ~ hfTlr 10
San Francisco. Chairman Walsh and
the other members also left the city.
Tomorrow Mr.. Walsh will return to
write We letters. one will transmit
the report OF the commission and its
addenda to the clerk OF the House Of
Representatives. In the report will be a
recommendation that Congress print all
the matter collected by the commission.
The other letter will be addressed TO
President Wilson. II will advise the
chief Executive hat his commission has
performed It's duties under the law
creating it n has reported to Con-
gress.
Mr.. Walsh is incensed at the failure
" the board OF directors Of the Pullman
Company to act an the matter Of grant
ing increases in wages to its sleeping
car porters and conductors at It's direc-
tors meeting last Friday. The omis-
sion Mr.. Walsh interpreted as a slap
at the commissioner recent investigation.
Beginning September Is Mr.. Walsh
will be In court once more as a private
lawyer. lie said. on Labor Day he will
he the principal speaker at the Panama
Pacific Exposition.