Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-28
UNREST DUE TOLOW
WAGES AND INERTIA
OF WORKERS---W
Federal Investigator Says Lack
of Aggressiveness on Part
Of Labor Responsible for
Conditions
EMPLOYEES MUST UNITE
Producers Themselves Must Remedy
Wrongs and Wipe Out
Injustice
KANsAs C1TY. Aur. 3.

KANSAS CITY, Aug. S.
That the present Industrial unrest that
has assumed menacing proportions in
tho United States is due largely to low
wages and the Oppressive methods that
are used by employers" and that re-
sponsibility for the conditions as they ex-
ist lies almost entirely with the wage
workers themselves, are the outstanding
features OF statement made public to-
day by Frank F. Walsh, chairman of the
Federal Commission on Industrial Rela-
tions.
The statement of Chairman Walsh was
In the form Of a supplemental report, and
II will be presented TO Congress along
with the other reports OF the commission
that have been made public during the
last few days.
In part Mr.. Walsh said:
1--WE ind the basic cause of industrial
dissatisfaction TO be low wages. or. stated
IN another way the fact that the work.
ers Of the nation, through compu sorry
and oppressive methods, legal and Illegal,
are denied the full product OF their toll.
I'VE further find that unrest among the
workers has grown TO proportions that
already menace the social good will and
bering millions smart under a sense Of
Injustice and oppression, born of the con-
viction that opportunity is denied them
TO acquire for themselves and their famil
les That degree of economic well being
necessary for the employment OF those
material and spiritual satisfactions which
alone make life worth living.
Bitterness, bred of untitled need for
sufficient food clothing and shelter for
themselves and their wives and children.
haa been further nourished I'm the hearts
OF these millions by resentment against
tho arbitrary power that enables the en-
ployer, under our present industrial sys-
tenn. to control not only the workman's
opportunity to earn his bread. but oft
times, through the exercise of this power.
20 dictate his social. political and moral
environment BY thwartng the human
passion for liberty and the solicitude of
the husband and father for his own, mod
err Industry has kindled a spirit in those
dissatisfied millions that lies deeper and
springs from nobler impulses than physi-
cal need and human selfishness.
FEATURES OF UNREST
THE extent and depth of Industrial un-
rest can hardly be exaggerated State
and national conventions OF labor organ
izations, numbering many thousands OF
members, have cheered the names of
leaders Imprisoned for participation in a
SaiHpdiSn ol Volence, conducted as one
phase of a conflict with organized en-
ployers. Thirty thousand workers in a
single strike have followed the leadership
OF men who denounced government and
called for relentless warfare on organi-
ized society.
employers from coast to coast have
created and maintained small private
armies OF armed men and have used these
FORCES to intimidate and suppress theis
striking employees by deporting, imprison-
ms, assaulting and killing their leaders
elaborate spy systems are maintained TO
discover and forestall the movements OF
the enemy. The use of State troops in
policing strikes has bred a bitter hostility
70 the militia system among numbers of
labor organizations and States have been
unable to enlist wage earners for this
second line OF the nations defense.
Courts, legislatures and governors
have been rightfully accused of serving
employers to the defeat of justice, and,
while counter-charges came from en-
pioyers and their agents. with almost
negligible exceptions, 1t is the wage earn
ers who believe. assert and prove that
the very institutions of their country have
been perverted by the power OF the
employer.
PRISON RECORD HONOR.
prison records for labor leaders have
become badges of honor in the eyes of
many of their people. and great mass
meetings throughout the nation cheer
denunciations of courts and court de-
clsions.
THE social responsibility for these
unfortunate conditions may be fixed
with reasonable certainty. The respon-
sibiiity and such blame as attached
thereto cannot be held to rest upon
employers. since in the maintenance of
the evils Of low wages. long hours and
bad factory conditions, and I'm their at
tempts to gain control OF economic and
political advantages which would pro-
mote their interests. they have merely
followed the natural bent of men involved
In the struggle OF competitive industry.
THE responsibility for the conditions
which have been described above, we de-
clare. rests primarily upon workers who
blind 10 their collective strength and
oftentimes deaf to the cries of their fol-
lowers. have suffered exploitation and the
invasion of their most sacred rights with
out resistance.
"A large measure of responsibility must.
however attach 10 the great mass of citl.
zens who. though not directly involved in
the struggle with capital and labor. have
failed To realize that their own prosperity
was dependent upon the welfare of all
classes OF the community and that their
rights were bound up with the rights Of
every other individual. But, until the
workers themselves realize their response
biity and utilize TO the full their collec-
1.-Two power, no action, whether govern
mental or altruistic, can work any gen
uine and lasting Improvement"