New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-23
Sl,OOO,OOO LIMIT
FOR HEIRS URGED
Volley of Reports from
Dissenting Groups Pro-
pose Drastic Reforms.
SEE LABOR FEUDALISM
Political Liberty at Stake, 1t Is
Declared-Want Land and
Tax Laws Revised.

Chicago, Aug. GA main report
BY the Industrial Relations Com
mission demanding reforms that
amount to a social revolution in this
country. and provide for a complete
redistribution of wealth, and a
series Of minority reports which
agree in finding serious defects in
the social system but call for less
drastic remedies, were made public
here to-day So the report is
really a whole volley of reports,
there being three sets Of findings
signed by as many dissenting
groups in the commission, and in
addition several of the commission
ers issue individual statements lay
ing special emphasis on particular
points. each after his own taste.
The commission is one appointed
two years ago under act Of
Congress. with nine members, three
each to represent labor, capital and
the general public. 1t has spent
about S5OO,OOO in its Investigations,
and has held hearings in many
cities, including New York, where
much interest was aroused by the
attacks made on the Rookefellers-by
the chairman. Frank p. Walsh.
The most conservative report
holds that great reforms should be
made in union laborism, which, it
asserts. is permeated with corrup-
ton and violence; the middle opin-
ion sees betterment through vel
fare commission, supported by in
heritance taxes and seeing to a
thorough enforcement Of existing
labor laws; while, not to mention
the theories propounded by individ-
ual commissioners, the main report,
and ut the same time the most rad
ical lays down a programme Of new
social Justice which in some respects
amounts almost to a new political
system for the country.
Great Wealth Assailed.
This document is sponsored by
Chairman Walsh and by Commits
sioners John B. Lennon, James
O'Connen and Austin B. Garretson.
The three last named were appoint
ed to the commission as representa-
tiyes Of labor. Mr.. Walsh was ap-
pointed as representing neither cap
ital nor labor, but as one Of the
three representing the public. As
there were nine commissioners al
together. there was no majority re-
port. but the one signed by Walsh
is looked upon as the main report.
1t finds that the chief i'll in Amer
lean social Lfe is the unjust distri-
button of wealth. 1t proposes as a
major remedy a drastic inheritance
tax, which would prevent the keep
ing Of vast fortunes in what are de-
scribed as the great feudal families
Of industry.
This tax would bring about some
thing like the redistribution Of wealth
called for by socialism to the extent
that j. would prohibit more than
100000 passing 10 the heirs by de-
mise, while the portions Of the estates
confscated by the tax are TO be applied
TO education and other forms Of public
welfare. Another remedy proposed is
the complete characterization of indus
try 10 prevent in tho future the un-
equal distribution Of wealth, such as
has already occurred.
Paints Dismal Picture.
After painting q dismal picture Of the
industrial feudalsm" which has grown
up The report asserts that in many
places democratic government does
not as rule exist except in name or
iorm, and as a consequence there now
e-lst within the body Of our republic
petty Industrial communities which are
virtually priqcipalities, oppressive to
those dependent upon them for a liveli-
mood and a dreadful menace TO the
peace and welfare of the nation"
The S ction Of the report made public
lo-day-there being two more TO follow
deals almost entirely with the causes
OF industrial unrest which n qrouDS
under the heads of unjust distribution
OF wealth and income, unemployment
and denial Of opportunity 10 earn liv-
Ihg' denial Of justice in the creation,
adjudication and administration Of law
and denial Of the right TO- form effective
labor organizations
Under the first cause evidence is
summarized showing that forty four
families have aggregate incomes to-
falling S5O00OOOO a year In contrast
10 TINS Is the fact that between third
and fourth Of male factory and mine
Continued 90 page & column