Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-23
.COMPERs URGES LAW
TO CURB FOUNDATION
Thinks Industrial Unrest Has Done
Much to Better Working
Conditions.
HENRY FORD ALSO APPEARS
Auto Manufacturer Says He VIII
Guarantee to Make Man of Every
Convict In Sing Sing by Giving
Him Wage He Can Live On.

NEW YORK, January 22-SamueI
Gompers. president OF tho American
Federation OF Labor. docs not believe
any conclusion the Rockefeller Founda-
| ton might reach as to Industrial condi.
/ lions would carry conviction to
workers or greatly influence employers
Of labor. lie said SO to-day In testify
ing before the Commission on Indus
trial Relations Inquiry into tho nd-
ministrntion OF the country's grea,
| philanthropic foundations and the
| cause of Industrial unrest
The Rockefeller Foundation recently
! appointed William Lyon Mackenzie
! King. former Canadian Minister OF
Labor TO study Industrial relations.
The effort OF the Rockefeller Foun-
dation to undertake to be an all.
OF tho minds of the people In their
constant human struggle" said Mr.
Gompers. should be curbed by law or
regulations. / understand the founda
, ton used Its influence to get Its rep
rcscntative in the list OF officials OF
gave the foundation tho right to the
franking privileges This, I think. was
Il fraud on the government. viola
tion of the principles OF education and
an imposition on the people OF this
! country. do not think the people
especially TO foundation which has
| such history behind II OF the means
| by which the money WAS frst made and
later accumulated.
URGES RESTRICTION
| OF IMMIGRATION
| Mr.. Gompcrs urged that immigration
! be restricted. He said he believed tho
great corporations and tho steamship
companies are working together tc
IN sl 1-<~ i'll
strict immigration.
Tho witness thought that wholesome
! industrial unrest and healthy discon.
! tent had done much to better working
conditions. He entered n protest with
the commission against the use by en-
pioyers OF detectives TO spy on cmployc.
ana on labor leaders and organizers.
i Mr. Gompers was Indirectly ouos-
/ toned by Walter brow. counsel for
the National Erectors' Association Mt
the time OF the Mcnamara dynamite
ease. He branded as an intentional
insult question by Mr.. Drew as 10
inc use or dynamite and violence in
labor disputes. Later Mr.. Drew pcr-
sisted In interruptinG the wltness. and
Chairman Walsh threatened to ask him
! TO retire from the hearing unless he
dcsisted
The morning scssion was taken up
/ ny George w. Perkin. and Henry Ford
OF Detroit. millionaire manufacturer OF
automobiles, Mr.. Perkins declared
that what business depression, IL any
existed could be blamed directly upon
the new tariff law.
| Mr. Ford said he would guarantee "a
mako man OF every convict in Sing
sing By giving him living wages and
! comfortable surroundings. Philan-
thropic foundations. he thought. were
! inadequate.
} Mr.. Ford gave Ngures to show that
since the installation a. year ago OF a
| proiit- sharing system and minimum
| wage OF 81 Il day his employees had
come TO place their money In savings
! banks, homes for themselves and fam
mes and In life insurance policies, and
! that their health had improved
The interest OF his men in their
work haa become acute. he said
! that the executives OF tho concern had
! 10 hold the workers back Instead OF
! squirting them on. On the whole, Mr.
! Ford said. his plan OF helping men
10 help themselves had done even NOR.
| than was expected Of II.
Charles r. Nell. former United States
Commissioner OF Labor. viii be the FIRST
| witness Tomorrow