Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-09-16

(Continued from Page So
should not, however, be considered as
standing alone. The limitations OF
output by associations of employers
and by individual corporations are
equally tntisocial and have far great
er consequences.
IL. Jurisdictional disputes are the
occasion of frequent and costly
strikes. The disputes of this char
acter which have caused most injury
are in the building trades. Up to the
present, efforts to lessen these dis
putes by action of the national unions
involved have largely failed. 1t is
suggested that the Commission recon-
mend to the American Federation of
La Dor and to the national unions that
renewed and more effective efforts be
made to prevent such disputes.
IL. The essential condition for
trade uENan graft is the placing OF the
authority to call strikes or to levy
boycotts in the hands of one person
without adequate provision for super
vision. This condition does not exist
in many unions. There is abundant
evidence to show that in very many
cases it originates with employers
who desire to secure an advantage
over their competitors. The reason
that graft is more prevalent in the
building trades is that power is con-
ferred on the business agent to call
strikes without reference either to the
rank and file or to the national Off
GERS. 1t has been testified by en-
ployers who have given much atten-
ton to this problem that any well or
ganized association of employers can
eliminate graft whenever its members
desire to do so. AS far as the unions
are concerned the solution seems to
lie in the increased participation OF
the rank and file in the activities OF
the organization and increased provi-
sions for fixing responsibility upon
their business agents. +:
Joint agreements between employ
Iers and labor organizations represent
ing their employees are urged as hav'
ing proven the most satisfactory me-
thbd of fixing conditions of employ
j ment.
| A detailed plan for a permanent ma
tional mediation commission to be ap
pointed by the President in disputes
involving interstate commerce is out
lined and urged upon Congress. Mem
: bers, the number of which is not
named, would be appointed for sis
years. Where official mediation of 9
strike fails, a bord of mediation would
be appointed consisting of three per
sons, one to be selected by the Com
mission and one by each of the par
ties. No power to compel arbitration
should be given to such a Commisi
son, says the report. The proposed
commission would have jurisdiction
in all strikes where an establishment
except public service establishments
; is engaged in interstate commerce OF
sends its products in interstate com
MERGE. The plan provides for perma
nent advisory councils of employers
and unionists, who would work witt
the commission.
Discussing immigration. the repoEi
urges restriction based upon the gen
eral projections of the so-called Bur
nett DifIingham bill. It recommends;
/. The enactment of Legislation
providing for the restriction of immi
grafton based upon the general pro
visions contained in the so-called Bur
Dillingham; bill, which has receiv
! ed the approval of two successive
Congresses. With full realization
. of the many theoretical objections
which have been urged against the
literacy test, the consensus of evi
dence is so strong that its practical
workings would be to restrict immi