Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-23
U. S. Commission Makes Pub
lie Summaries of Three Re-
ports as to Its Findings.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
WILL GO TO CONGRESS
Use of Governmental Agencies as
Economic Weapon Cited-Equal
Rights for Labor Urged.

CHICAGO. August 23.-The United
States commission on industrial rela
lions made public here last night sum
mares of three reports to findings
and recommendations for Congress, al
though it is understood that none of
the reports given out can properly be
called ma jority report. For this
reason it cannot be said that the COM
mission, which ceases to exist today,
has decided upon anything, as the re-
suit of its labors.
The commission was composed of
three representativ each of the en-
ployers, the employed and the general
public 1t became apparent some time
ago that they would be unable to agree
upon a general report.
The personnel of the commission fol-
lows: Frank p. Walsh. Missouri chair
man; John r. Commons. Wisconsin,
and Mrs. ]. Borden Hartman, repre-
senting the public: r. II. Ashton. Him
oils: Harris Wenstock, California, and
S. Thurston Ballard. Kentucky. repre-
senting the employers; John b. Lennon,
Illinois; James O'Connell. District of
Columbia. and A. b. Garretson, Iowa,
representing the employed.
Recommendations Are Made.
The report of Basil NJ. Manly, direc-
tor of research and investigation, con-
tains the findings of fact and recon-
mendations of the staff. The report IN
full was accepted and ordered printed
by resolution of the commission 1t
was adopted by Commissioners Frank r.
Walsh, John b. Lennon, James OCon-
nell and Austin B. Garretson.
The crux of the whole question of in
dustrial relations is declared to be
shall the workers, for the protection
OF their interests, be organized and
represented collectively by their chosen
delegates, even as the stockholders are
represented by their directors and by
the various grades of executive Off
Gals and bosses"
Mr.. Manly's report is based on the re-
search and field work of members of
the staff, whose point of view is that OF
impartial investigators. and upon testi-
mony at the public hearings conducted
by the commission in fourteen prln-
cipal cities and industrial centers of
the United States. These hearings oc-
cupied in all 154 days and a total Of
$40 witnesses were heard OF these 23o
were affiliated with employers, 24o
with labor and 265 were not affiliated
with either group.
Causes of Industrial Unrest.
In an Introductory statement Con-
gress and the public are urged to re-
gard the question of industrial rela-
lions as more fundamental and of
greater Importance to the welfare of
the nation than any other question
except that of our government"
The report finds that the causes OF
industrial unrest group themselves
almost without exception under four
main sources. which include all the
others. These four are:
1. Unjust distribution of wealth and
income
?. Unemployment and denial of OPP
portunity to earn living
3. Denial of justice in the creation.
in the adjudication and in the admin
istration of law
4. Denial of the right and opportu-
nifty to form effective organizations.
AS a result, therefore, not only of
fundamental considerations. but of
practical Investigations. the commits
sion is Convinced that every means
should be used to extend and strength
en- organizations throughout the entire
industrial field. AS a result of careful
consideration, it is suggested the COM
mission recommend the following ac-
ton:
Enactment of statutes specifically
prohibiting the discharge of any per-
son because of his membership in a
labor organization
Would Protect Associations.
Enactment of statute providing
that action on the part of an associa-
tlOH OF lIiulSiuudls ilOt OTSdHlLeu IOF
profit shall not be held to be unlawful.
where such action would not be unlaw-
full in the case of an individual.
That the Department of Labor be
empowered to prosecute all cases of
unfair competition arising out of the
treatment of labor which may come
to its attention
Commissioner Garretson. in supple
mental opinion, approved by Commits
sioners Walsh, Lennon and O'Conneil
suggested the idea that the usury
laws might be applied to curb the ra te
of returns on investments. Some of
his Supplemental opinions and sug-
gestions follow:
THE man who, on account of hunger
OF himself or family, steals a loaf of
bread. is held UP to public view as d
horrible example of the increase of
crime and decadence of the moral sense,
while he who exploits the public. or
by dishonest or fraudulent representa-
lion or manipulation, secures millions
of their money is. by the same agencies,
held up to the youth of the land as an
example of what Intelligent effort and
Wholesale Arrests Cited.
THE system of wholesale arrests dur
ing industrial disturbances for acts
which. committed under ordinary con-
ditions and when no industrial dis
turbances prevailed. would not consti-
tUte ground for arrest. is one OF the
significant indications of the use OF
governmental agencies. not as a pre-
server Of peace. but as a purely eco
nomic weapon.
The intrusion of what has been aptly
described az invisible government into
all the channels of life. the educational
al Il hfe<l1