Evening star., 1915-01-23
Louis D. Brandeis a Witness
Before Federal Commission
on Industrial Relations.
PROFIT SHARING RATED
AS INADEQUATE REMEDY
Corporations and Philanthropic
Foundations Discussed-C. P. Neill
Also Called to Testify.

NEW YORK, January 2s.-Louis D.
Brandeis of Boston and Charles P.
Neil1. former United States commits
sioner of labor. were the witnesses
called to testify today in the inquiry
being conducted here by the federal
commission on Industrial relations into
the causes of Industrial unrest.
Mr.. Brandeis was the first witness.
He did not believe the directors of
large corporations had knowledge OF
facts sufficient to permit them to I'M
prove effectively the condition of en-
p1oyes
Great corporations were dangerous
to the workers, Mr.. Brandeis asserted.
because they had endeavored to de-
velop an observation-disclosures but
an absolutism. nevertheless. He be-
lieved certain amount of unrest was
desirable. Industrial democracy, he
thought, should be attained.
Profit Sharing Not Remedy.
Profit sharing and mere lberality
could not remedy present conditions.
Mr.. Brandeis said. A division of re-
sponsibility was needed. He believed
that the absentee owner of corporations
should be held absolutely responsible
for conditions among his employees.
There is no such thing as an inno-
cent stockholder," he said.
MIR. Brandeis did not agree with
previous witnesses, directors of large
corporations. who said they considered
1t proper to leave labor matters to local
superintendents. Neither did he be-
lieve that director could give his un-
divided attention to more than one
corporation. He said he doubted If
much could be accomplished for the
worker by legislation unless 1t was to
regulate unions.
Philanthropic movements. such as the
Rockefeller Foundation, Mr.. Brandeis
thought. were formed with an honest
plan Of aiding humanity. He said he
had grave apprehension as to what
would happen when the foundations
should pass from the control of the men
who at present are directing them.
Minimum Wage Law 1mpracticable.
Discussing the question of a mini
mum wage scale Mr.. Brandeis said he
lid not believe that minimum could be
fixed by legislation. as different condi-
tions prevailed in different towns and
cities and in different industries.
Commissioner Walsh announced at
this point that the witnesses summoned
to appear Monday were John D. Rookie
feller. 1r.. Ivy Lee and Jerome D.
Greene, representing the Rockefeller
foundation, and A. Barton Hepburn, the
banker.
Referring to the relation between the
United States Steel Corporation and its
employees, Mr.. Brandeis declared that
the corporations directors in refusing
to treat with organized labor resem-
bled the Gear of Russia, who refuses
to treat with the rank and flle."
Taking issue with the statement of
Samuel Gompers that immigration is a
menace to labor. he said: IF labor has
anything to fear from immigration the
remedy Is not to be found in restric-
tion."
No Faith in Rockefeller Foundation.
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
American Federation of Labor. does not
believe any conclusion the Rockefeller
Foundation might reach as to Industrial
conditions would carry conviction to the
workers Of the country or greatly influ-
ence the employers of labor. He said SO
Yesterday in testifying before the inquiry
being conducted here by the commission.
'"The effort of the Rockefeller Founda-
ton to undertake to be an all-pervading
machine for the molding of the minds of
the people In their constant human strug
GLE" said Mr. Gompers, should be curbed
by law or regulation. l understand the
foundation used its influence to get its
representative in the list of officials of the
federal government, and that this gave
the foundation the right to the franking
privilege. This, think, was fraud upon
the government, violation of the prin-
ciples of education and an imposition upon
the people OF this country. 1 do not think
the people are ready to surrender their
rights. especially to a foundation which
has such a history behind it of the means
by which the money was first made and
later accumulated"
Mr. Gompers urged that immigration be
restricted as a means Of protecting the
workers Of the United States. He said
he believed the great corporations and the
steamship companies were working to-
gether, under the pretense of liberalism,
to combat any legislation designed to re-
strict immigration.
Sees Good in Discomfort.
As for industrial unrest the witness.
thought that wholesome unrest and
healthy discomfort had done much to bet
ter the conditions of the workingmen.
Mr.. Gompers entered protest with the
commission against the use by EMPLOYERS
of detectives to spy upon the employees and
upon labor leaders and organizers.
While he was testifying Mr.. Gompers
was indirectly questioned by Walter Drew
attorney for the Merchants and Manu-.
facturers' Association. and counsel for the
National Erectors' Association at the time
of the Mcnamara dynamite case
| Mr. Gompers branded as an intentiona,
insult question by Mr.. Drew as to the
use of dynamite and violence in laho,
disputes. Later Mr. Drew persisted ir
interrupting the witness and Chairrna
Walsh threatened to ask him to retire
from the hearing unless he desisted.
NEW GERMAN SUBMARINE
AN INDEPENDENT CRUISER