The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-21
Guggenheim Suggests
Pla n at Federal In
quiry Into Causes of
Industrial Unrest
MANY w ANT WORK
AND NOT CHARITY
Witness Advocates Government Agen-
cies to Find Work For Unemployed
and Provision For the Comfort of
Aged Workers
Bu Associated Press.

By Associated FreSs.
New York, Jan. 21.-Taxation of
large fortunes upon the death of their
owners to aid the poor, the establish
Ment of government agencies to find
work for the unemployed, and provi-
Fion for the comfort of aged workers,
were advocated by Daniel Guggenheim,
president of the American Smelling and
Refining Company, in testimony to-day
pt the inquiry by the Federal Commits
sion on Industrial Relations into the
great philanthropic and the causes of
industrial unrest.
Mr.. Guggenheim said that, as a cap
Rtalist, he favored these measures, de-
spite the fact that they constitute some
Pf the cardinals ideas of Socialism. He
blso advocated industrial democracy -
wherein the worker received a portion
pf the profits derived from the products
bf his labor.
Industrial unrest was caused to a
great extent, the witness believed, by
ne increased cost of diving. In his
opinion the philanthropic organizations
lid not affect much relief from poverty
bs the average worker was reluctant to
accept charity and preferred employ
nent.
E. j. Berwind, owner of-eoll mines
hnd director in many coal mining cor
porations and coal carving railroads,
testified that he believed directors and
stockholders were not as well 'acquaint-
ed with labor conditions as they should
be.
Advised as to Labor Conditions
Mr.. Guggenheim was the first witness
before the Industrial Relations Com.
mission to-day He named MANY cor.
porations III which he and his brothers
hre directors. The witness did not
show how many men were employed by
Rny of the companies he is connected
with. Mr. Guggenheim said he kept
himself advised as to labor conditions
among his employees and that he per-
Fonally paid frequent visits to the vari-
bus plants. The executive committees
pt the various companies, he said, were
constantly visiting plants and mines.
Mr.. Guggenheim said in the mining bus
ness their directors and not the stock
holders were absolutely responsible for
sbor and other conditions
Improving Conditions Of Workers
As for devices for improving the con-
iitlons of workers, the witness said the
American Smelling and Refining Com
pany had installed many things not
bnly to improve labor conditions. but
o raise the standard of efficiency. The
company found that by so doing the
butput was increased and business gen
erally was improved.
The witness said emphatically that
he did not believe laborers in smelling
Rnd refining works should be permitted
o work more than hours day. The
increasing high cost of living, the wit,
ness believed. was the cause of much
unrest among workers. Wage earners,
be thought. had as much right to organ
ze as capitalists; the American Smelt-
ug and Refining Company had no OBJ
employees, provided they did not inter
fere with the operation of the plants.
Increasing Industrial Discomfort
Mr.. Guggenheim said he believed in.
iustrial discomfort was on the increase
hnd had been for some years.
And it will continue to increase I'M
il some remedial measures are taken, -
be said. "The trouble is we haven t
mad enough legislation. We are away
behind Europe We need more business
egislation. -
Mr.. Guggenheim said he "didn I
want to advertise" the philantropic
prganiza tions with which he was con-
hected. 81 don't want to tell what l we
lone," he said. GIVE done all that
can. l don I think any of us give
enough II tell you though that I am
Interested in many hospitals, homes
hnd societies.
People Want Work, Not Charity
He said he did not believe the great
philanthropie organizations were doing
he work they were supposed to do
'It's job for the State, not for pri-
Eate benefaction, he testified. MANY
people don't want charity. They want
work. The State should find it for them.
The State should tax great fortunes
when rich men die and thereby 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-
bsuse they didn't get enough money to
permit them; but they could save, he
Faid, if they received, as they should,
part of the profits of the industries
n which they were employed
The American Smelling and Refining
Company operates open shops. Mr..
Suggenheim testified because it would
pot allow unions to run the business.
Ihe management, however, would treat
Eith unions or with the men collective
y, the same as with individual work
ers.
Personal Liberty Demands Open Shop
Another reason why the American
Smelling and Refining Company oper-
ates open shops, Mr.. Guggenheim con-
lnued, is because it does not believe it
has right to control workers ac-
lions any more than it had to say what
be shall eat and when he shall 60 to
bed. Personal liberty demanded open
Fhops, he thought.
Mr.. Berwind, who followed Mr.. Gug-
eenheim on the stand, said that the
policy of his companies was to operate
recording to law and to give the men
Every consideration possible. Their
working hours in the mines were gener-
elly hours a day and the daily wages
rom 81 to So. The companies had
made provision for compensation for
tecidents. None of them employed chill.
dren.