Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-29
LOW WAGES BASIC
CAUSE OF UNREST
Chairman Walsh Of Federal Indus
trial Relations Commission
Completes Report
WORKERS LARGELY TO BLAME

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Agu. Is
Low wages were found to be the basic
cause of industrial unrest in the re-
port which Frank p. walsh, chair
man Of the federal commission on
industrial relations and the labor
members Of that body. will present to
congress as a result OF the COM
missions two-year investigation into
the subject.
The report, embodying the per-
sonal findings Of Mr.. Walsh, and con-
Cured in by Commissioners John b.
Lennon, James o'connell and Austin
b. Garretson, was made public here
today.
'-rae workers Of the nation. through
compulsory and oppressive methods, le-
gal and illegal, are denied the full
product of their toll" II was declared in
the report, and the resulting industrial
dissatisfaction was said to have reached
proportions that already menace the
social good. will and the peaeS Of the
nation"
Responsibility for tho condition under
which they live was placed primarily
upon the workers themselves, who. blind
20 their collective strength and often
times deaf to the cries of their families.
have suffered exploitation and the in
vasion OF their most sacred rights with
out resistance"
Abstract of Report.
The report IN part. follows:
'-Ye find the basic cause Of industrial
dissatisfaction to be low wages. or. the
fact that the workers OF tho nation.
through compulsory and oppressive meth
ods. legal and Illegal are denied the full
product of their toll
Citizens numbering millions smart
under a sense OF injustice and oppres-
sion born OF the conviction that the
opportunity IL denied them 70 acquire
for themselves and their families that
degree of economic wellbeing necessary
for the enjoyment OF these material and
spiritual satisfactions which alone make
life worth living.
bitterness bred OF untitled need of
sufficient food, clothing and shelter for
themselves and their wives and children,
has been further nourished In the hearts
OF these millions by resentment against
the arbitrary power that enables the
employer, under our present industrial
system, to control not only the workmen's
opportunity to earn their bread. but Oft
lines. through the exercise OF this power,
% dictate his social, political and moral
environment
THE extent and depth OF Industrial
unrest can hardly be exaggerated.
Thirty thousand workers In q single
atrike have followed the leadership OF
men who denounced government and
called for relentless warfare on organized
society.
Private Armies Denounced.
Employers from coast to coast nave
created and maintained small private
srmies OF armed men and have used
these forces to intimidate and suppress
their striking employees by deporting.
imprisoning. assaulting and killing their
labor leaders. Elaborate spy systems
are maintained 70 discover and forsstall
the movements OF the enemy. The use
Of state troops in policing strikes hes
lred q bitter hostility TO the militia
ystem.
'ccusts. legislatures ana governors have
cen rlghtfuily accused OF serving en-
loyers TO the defeat OF Justico and.
hie counter charges come from en-
lloycrs and their agents. with almost
eligible exceptions. II n the wage
Arners who believe, assert and prove
tiat the very institutions OF their country
ave been perverted by the power Of the
employer Prison records for labor lead
css have become badges Of honor In the
eyes OF many OF their people, and great
mass meetings throughout the nation
cheer demonstrations OF courts and court
dsclElons.
state and national conventions OF labor
organizations have cheered the names OF
leaders Imprisoned for participating in
campaign OF violence conducted as one
phase Of . conflict with organised ena-
ployers.
Machinery 10 mtg Factor.
The unrest OF the wage earnsrs has
been augmented by recent changes and
developments In industry. Chief of these
are the rapid and universal introduction
and extension OF machinery OF production.
by which unskilled workers may be
substituted for the skilled and an equally
rapid development OF means OF rapid
transportation and communications. by
which private capital has been enabled
70 organise In great corporations. possess
ing enormous economic power. Work for
nerly done At home or in small neighbor
shops. has been transferred 20 great fac
tories where the Individual worker be-
comes an impersonai elemeht. without
voice IN determining the condition under
which he works. and largely without
interest In the success OF the enterprise.
While vast inherited fortunes. auto
maticaliy multiply In volume. two thirds
Of those, who toll from eight 10 twelve
hours per day, receive less than enough
10 support themselves and their families
In decency and comfort.
And when these unfortunates seek, by
the only means within reach. 70 better
their lot By organising 70 lift themselves
from heiplessness 90 some measure OF
collective power. with which to wring
living wages from their employers. they
find too often arrayed against them not
only the massed power OF capital but
every arm OF the government that was
created to enforce guarantees OF equality
and Justice.
Employers Control Communities.
We find that many entire communities
exist under tho arbitrary economic con-