The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-10-21
INEFFIcIENcY IN GOVERNMENT
(By j. Il. Jones)
Copyright, 1915. by U. $. Press Associatio
Chapter VIII.

NV@N' - - 'N'
Chapter VIII.
The most useful book published by
the United States government is the
"Year Book of the Department Of Agri-
culture" and ii Is particularly inter
esting because it relates the results of
the work done by this branch of the
government, thereby illustrating the
possibility of the federal machine be-
ing used for the benefit of a section
Of the people of our country.
The success of the department of
agriculture leads to speculation as to
what the department of labor, created
by act of March 4, 1913, will accom-
plish. A good many people have been
inclined to point to this new branch
Of the government as an effort to
"jolly" the laboring classes. But do
not be deceived, for the same charges
were made during earlier years when
the department Of agriculture was
struggling for existence and for a
proper place in social and industrial
activities. The people who have not
yet discovered the need for the depart
ment Of labor are the ones who have
done so much to perpetuate inefficient
government. "The purpose of the de-
partment of labor shall be to foster,
promote, and develop the welfare Of
the wage earners of the United
States" says the act hat created it,
and Ito improve their working condi-
lions, and to advance their opportuni-
ties for profitable employment"
This is a commission broad enough
for all humanity, and 1t is born of the
same demand which brought into ex-
istence the department Of commerce
and the department of agriculture. A
quarter Of a century ago the farmers
voiced their remonstrances through
their grange associations and allied
farmers organizations. The farmer
had an idea that he was not being
fairly treated, and he organized for
defense. and n Of his institutions was
the cooperative farmers store. The
farmer had a bad time Of 1t. but the
department of agriculture proved a
true friend and helped to create new
and improved conditions.
Had the government been more
efficient 1t would have long since car
ried these same constructive policies
into the fields OF labor before a riot
and anarchy had left their bloody i'm
print upon the pages of the history of
industrial strife. Labor has been bad
ly neglected, and II the new depart.
ment of labor proves as efficient as the
department Of agriculture, then the
troubles of labor and wage earners
will be speedily minimized In this
great country.
At the present time labor is turning
to many false gods, and like the drown.
ing man who grabs for a straw. a Dor
ton Of 1t has been putting out
hands towards socialism, or ~so-called
organizations that c~ountenance and
advocate physical strife. Undoubtedly
the greatest element for the better.
ment Of the laboring classes is found
In such unions and labor organizations
as have taken up the industrial cues
ton in q m manner. However.
while there have been a great many
abuses Of these organizations, yet
what progress has been accomplished
has been wrought with them. Organ.
ICED labor has pointed out the path.
way which has enabled the govern,
ment to realize the conditions that ex.
ist everywhere, and which year by
year have been widening the gulf be-
tween labor and capital. The welfare
Of wage earners cannot be promoted
entirely, ~ some appear to think. by
federal interference In labor disputes,
or BY means Of arbitration affected or
BY The federal government.
TIE right man on the Job win fnd I
way - prevent strikes and industrial
diGtnrbanc16 and vim teach methods
q ~ Gxsok 3eboring CLASSES tlatasill
make Il unnsoessary for them TO