Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-21
DANIEL GUGGENHEIM
STARTLES HEARERS
BY RADICAL VIEWS
"Socialistic, He Says at u.
S. Hearing F avors
Unionism and Proht-shar-
ing by Employed,
JOHN EDWIN NEVIN


NEW YORK, Jan. 2l.-"Every worker
in the United States Is entitled to job
and the Government should see that he
gets 1t. As matter of actual right. the
worker Is entitled, in addition to sickness
insurance, to old-age pensions, and above
ALL to a share in the profits resulting
from his labor"
This was the sentiment expressed today
by Daniel Guggenheim. millionaire min
ing and smelter king, to the Federal In
dustrial Relations Commission. Guggen-
helm was an amazing witness; in fact,
so radical in certain of his views as to
cause audible wonder from certain parts
of the audience.
He openly characterized his own views
as socialistic. He said he believed
better day for industry is dawning in
the United States because employers at
last are realizing that they must be more
fair to their employees. Envy he char
acterized as the great canker affecting
the body polite, and he said he sympa-
thlzed with the worker who was envi-
Gus. Tho smelter king declared he
favored trades unionism as a general
proposition, although he maintained the
TELLS OF "UPLIFT WORK"
Until year and half ago." he said,
conditions were met by us as they arose,
but we found that we were not doing all
we should for our workmen. I felt we
should house our men better. provide
benefits and pension funds for them in
order to get higher degree OF efficiency,
and we decided to obtain some one who
could meet Just such situation. So we
engaged DIR. C. p. Neil, former labor
commissioner, and he has charge of our
general uplift work"
The benefit plan has not yet been put
into effect. Guggenheim said, as 1t has
just been suggested to the directors. In
every State where there are compensa-
tion laws, he said, his company has
adopted them.
"At our Perth Amboy, n. J., plant. we
are insuring our mems lives as an expert
| ment," said Guggenhem. I'VE do this at
our own expense. and If the plan works
out as We expect 1t to, we will make it
universal
When asked what were the causes OF
strikes at his Perth AmbOy plant Gug-
genheim said:
Generally speaking, the high cost of
living and general dissatisfaction with
surrounding conditions. l have great
sympathy with the worker and know that
frequently his wages are too low TO meet
the constantly increasing cost of living" :"
BELIEVES IN ORGANIZATION.
Guggenheim declared that he believed
in the right of workers TO organize for
self-protection.
1.-The capitalist frequently is a very ar
bitrary individual who insists on his own
way" he declared. "Of course. 50 is
labor when 1t gets stubborn. / am afraid
that Industrial unrest Is increanig in the
United States Thi is due TO the increas s.
ing cost of living. l do not believe there
has been too much legislation. l think
there should be many more laws enacted
along humane lines We are far behind
the enlightened European nations in our
/ legal system for the workers.
81 don't think increasing wages will
end strikes. The workers want more
| than money They want better sur
roundings. They want more OF the COM
| forts OF life. But we can't do everything
at once. Both capital and labor must
make concessions, and the Federal and
State Governments must help along with