Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-18
Four Institutions

The four institutions are the
Rockefeller Sage. Cleveland (Ohio)
|, and Baron de Hirsch foundations, the
atter represented in this country by
Iicob II. Schiff. Their chief officers
lave been summoned to testify and
vii be asked, it was said today at the
lonmission headquarters, to tell
shat policies govern the distribution
la their charities, their attitude
howard labor problems, the nature Of
heir schemes for social betterment;
ID sum, to disclose In detail the char
Iater of all their activities.
| In view of the fact that the i'm
atnse resources of these institutions
we're chiefly derived from the profits
ID industrial enterprises and that
|hsy were now employing them in
many ways affecting the conditions Of
age earners, it was the desire of the
commission, it was explained, to de-
tmine whether their policies were in
|sery respect consistent with the
|s1oic welfare. 1t was pointed out
hat the institutions were under no
sgal obligation to make their opera
Ions public and that it was a peril
|ifnt question to determine whether
|nch immense resources were po-
|sntially dangerous, when not sub
|tct to governmental supervision.
Commission Purpose
IN raising this question no implica-
ton was intended, it was explained.
u was simply the purpose Of the
commission to call attention without
Prejudice, to the power which these
Institutions were in a position to ex-
eFeise, riShtfully or wrongfully, es-
lecially in shaping public opinion.
Whether. after the facts have been
brought out, such institutions shall
and can be regulated will be left 20
congress after the Commission has
hported. 1t was pointed out that
IN England. the so-called charity
trusts are required by law to make
public reports.
The Commission also plans to call
ne directors and chief stockholders
u several of the large industries %
Vulaln discussion of their relations
WIN employees; also members Of the
National Civic Federation, and the
new York Charity Organization So
cety.
II Is the purpose of the Commits
Aoh' says a statement by Frank P.
walsh, chairman of the Commission,
70 bring before it in New York the
Meh whose names are most closely
associated with our great basic in
'ustries, and through this means to
V0'a'n full, frank discussion Of the
eia'lon that exists between the CEN
aalization of wealth and power in
.0elr hands and feeling of unrest
'Hong wage earners.
Farmers Complaint
whether rightfully or wrongfully,
very large number of wage earners
WMpiain that their interests are
t'eJudiced by the fact that the indus
a'es IN which they are employed are
v'aed and controlled by men who
ave at a distance and who have no
s"sonal knowledge of the conditions
y, sAuef which the employees work and
* This is one of the charges
''t frequently made by writer's and
speaAers engaged in enlisting recruits
va me most radical political and
~ .'i'omlcal movements, and the
sV'ahssion feels that its work will
wv wv oe complete until it has given
''l consideration to the subject.
large employers and stockholders
= industrial corporations are more
os~ u more turning their attention to
saaized efforts toward social better
sc sa| The Commission will seek to
u out whether or not these efforts
,.., Undertaken because their authors
ny responsibility for the condi-
.r which create the need Of such
ssS ut' and if so whether or not the
~, "us schemes Of welfare work and
N.Y. anthropy can be considered ade-
ar 70 meet the needs.
1ae Commission assumes. Of
s;. se' that every good citizen de-
"a. 70 aid in any sincere effort 20
Sn..s a. the underlying causes Of in
as ai unrest, and in this as in its
ns,e inquiries it Is approaching its
s.,~ win an open mind and a desire
~. 70 get at the facts. Each wit
~ Will be urged to make a COM
c. statement Of his views. The
'ss'on's conclusions will be
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