Denver labor bulletin., 1915-09-18

In the Court of the Universe at the
Panama-Pacific exposition grounds in
San Francisco on labor Day, Frank p.
Walsh, chairman of the United States
commission on industrial relations, was
introduced to the assembled hosts of
toll by President Daniel G. Murphy Of
the San francisco Labor Council. He
said:
Sensible as / am of the compliment
implied by your welcome, realize that
1 am not here in a personal capacity,
but as fellow-citizen lately in your
employ and so close to the heart of labor
that could hear its heart throbs.
Three years aIgo the country was
shocked into realization that it had
labor problem. Some of us slready
knew it. What seemed to bring it home
to many was the fact that in this pros
porous country there was an allied prob
lem of poverty.
"In response to the demand of the peo-
pie, congress- created a commission of
three parts, representing employers, en-
ployes, and the public, to investigate the
causes OF social unrest. As a repre-.
by being made chairman of the com.
mission, and in that capacity 1 per-
formed my duties as God gave me
strength.
Thru public hearings, with the aid OF
the best experts, we made an intensive
investigation of the principal industries
to determine the cause of discomfort.
This investigation challenged men and
women and all fields of product. It was
a card index of laughter, tears and mis-
cry Of all human beings who toll. We
gathered the facts surrounding industry.
Lack of Judicial Poise."
81 have been criticised for lacking
what is called judicial poise. hope
we have seen the last commission deal
ing with labor that approaches its work
with judicial poise.' 1t is splendid
mask behind which truth may be hidden.
The commission made first-hand
intensive investigation OF facts and has
presented same to judge and jury-the
people. When | started the work ]
found that had offended the judicial
poise' element by submitting the facts
gathered to the people thru public hear
ings. But | never have and never viii
make any apology for my personal con
duet of the affairs of the commission
I will stake my life on the integrity OF
the facts gathered.
To-day, in the great basic industries,
men toll twelve hours day. 1856 days
in the year, without being able to make
enough to keep a wife and family in
common deceBcy.
I'VE fould that in this country Of
greatest resources and education one
third OF the toilers receiving remunera-
ton that barely brings them above the
poverty line Two-thirds are in abject
poverty.
Wages Below Decent Living.
1--WE found that one-half Of the work
ers receive less than $500 per year, which
is about $4OO less than authorities agree
is standard living wage. Two-thirds
of the male adult workers receive less
than SIS per week.
There are more than 1900, 900 women
workers in this country, more than one
half of whom are receiving less than 80
per week.
.'In II per cent of the homes two or
more persons occupy one room. In ~
per cent OF the homes three or more per-
sons are crowded into one room, and
this in country whose unoccupied do
main is greater than that Of any other
country.
"We found that 20 per cent OF the
school children are rnnourished. That
only 10 per cent of the school children
ever reach high school. That two-thirds
don't get thru the grammar school on
account of the economic pressure on par
ents.
"The saddest finding of the commis-
sion, which may stir the people into ac-
ton was the fact that babies of the
poor die four times faster than the
babies Of the well -to-do. Babies OF par
ents receiving SO week die four times
faster than those whose parents are re-
ceiving $25 a week.
1--WE found that one out of every
twelve persons who die in the great city
Of New York, with all its wealth and ji-
dustry, goes to the potter's field or to
the dissecting table.
Low Wages Cause of Unrest.
"In all industries OF the United States
we found that the willing workers are
out of work one-fifth of the time be-
cause II is impossible for them TO get
employment.
.'The cause of industrial unrest is low
wages-a failure to give the toilers a
sufficient portion of what they earn.
I'VE all love freedom. We all crave
happiness. So IL behooves us to study
certain institutions that have grown mp
that seem to make for the conditions I
| have described.
| "Wc hear much about violence, but we
| don't hear so much about certain insti-
tutions that have grown up to keep
people in dependence. The common peo-
pIe. by these Institutions, are denied all
things which we as American citizens
hold dear. Tn some states standing
armies are able to overthrow the power