The Washington times., 1915-01-23
GIVE WORKER VOICE,
BRANDE|S PLEADS
Industrial Democracy Outlined
for Federal Commission on
Industrial Relations.

NEW YORK. Jan. .3-Louis d. Bran
deis. Boston lawyer ana economist, told
the Federal Commission on Industrial
Relations today that IAN industrial
democracy" in which tho worker has
a voice and q vote in the management
Of industry. 10 tho only solution for
the struggle OF labor and capital
He must not only have a voice and
vote. but an active participation in
the business" no said.
Monday will be "Rockefeller Day
at tho investigation. John d. Rookie
Of the Rockefeller Foundation; Ivy L.
Lee. who was said to be the press
agent OF the operators in the Colorado
strike and alleged author Of the pamph-
to e'' testify X Barton me irepsurn chair. re
man Of the New York stock Exchange.
has also been summoned for Monday.
Would BE Unionist.
In his testimony today. Brandels
blamed both capital and labor for many
Of the open breaks He asserted that
capitals failure to understand" had
been its principal fault in dealing with
strikers.
Capital. in many instances, honestly
believes that 1t Is standing for the high.
est Of principles in refusing to deal
with labor unions" said Brandeis.
Labor, too. has made the same mis-.
takes" Brandeis said. THE worker
generally thinks his employer is earning
immense dividends-a condition that
does not usually exist. Few workers
appreciate how great are the risks of
business. Naturally distrust and hatred
Of being subject to the power OF the enl.
ployer, constitute labors other mis-
takes"
would you be a unionist II you were
q wage-earner?" Weinstock asked.
Decidedly" Brandeis answered.
Brandeis was asked what he would
do, II an employer. II threatened with
an unjust strike.
Fight to the end" he said, after ex-
planning that he would try to resort
to arbitration first.
There arc unions as we'll as .corpo.
rations that you can only deal with
by war" said Brandeis. There are
bad unions and bad corporations"
The commission heard only Brandeii
| today and adjourned at ! o'clock until
| 10 o'clock Monday morning.
Brandeis First Witness.
Louis d. Brandeis. the first witness
said concentration OF industry In TIT
hands Of big concerns had improved tn,
physical condition Of labor. through
better plants and improved machinery
but had not increased wages al
rapidly as conditions warranted.
II think large industrial corporation
have formed bulwark against labol
organizations" he said. mentioning tn
specific instances. They had th'
power to resist labor and the inf'uenc'
| and connections to enforce their viii.
Most of the great directors Of in
dustry. though holding the power. ar
to dictate labor policies.'
Brandeis said there Is one funda
| rental cause for unrest-'the confiic
between political liberty and industria
| absoluuSm.
Even the strong unions are hardl.
able to cope with the potent powers O
fnance." he continued THE smalle
employers have the same theories. bu
not the ability to carry them out
lem; there must be also an opportunit;
for the men to decide their economi
welfare" the witness declared.
Brandeis also blamed absentee land
most of the difficulties between capita
There is no such thing as an limo
cent stockholder,' " he asserted. He l.
always noTAIy reSpOnSlple.
| Autocratic Control.
Asked to apply his details specifically
to the United States Steel Corpora ton
Brandeis said there was "a state O
mind among those in control similar t
that Of the Gear Of Russia.
"They may mean to do WELL" he ex
planned. but they look at problem
from the autocrats angle"
Can largo corporations be trusted I
bring about reforms themselves" ask
mo large corporation can be truste
to reform conditions the lawyer an
swered. The growth Of power ha
been inconsistent with safety. Worker
have not the power to work out thei
Brandeis said in his opinion "oryin
need" Is for laws to curb concentra
tion Of industrial control.
THE Rockefeller and Sage Founda
tions." he cons;Nued. have a zealou
purpose to aid humanity. but l hav
felt grave appreh ension OF the ultimat
result of these foundations powers. w
do not know in what hands this powe
may get"
Yesterdays Testimony.
Striking testimony was developed lat
yesterday during the testimony Of Sam
uel Gompers.
The president Of the American Fec
Grafton of labor defended the prime
Piles Of trade unionism. He followe
Henry Ford. the automobile Nnanl
fasturer and sociologist whose test
mony was the most humanity interes
ing of any the commission has hear
so far. 1t was rich in personal philoat
ply and vital with progressive idea
teeming with expressions of a gres
desire to see fair play for all men, en-
Lloyers and employees alike.
The activities OF the Rockefell
Foundation came In for a heavy bon
bardment at the hands of Gompers, VII
said there might be some doubt abo,
the Sage or the Carnegie Foundatio
but there was none about the spirit
the Rockefeller. propaganda. which,
said. Is attempting to mold and dom
nate public opinion.
The Rockefeller institution. Gompel
also said. was guilty OF an impositio
on the public in having its literatul
: franked through the mails. He sal
, the activities of such foundations shouI
be restrained either through legisl;
ton or regulation.
Gompers said Immigration unr,
stricted was menace to the welfal
of labor in this country and advocate
restriction. After the European wf