Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-04
AGAINST
DANGER IN INDUSTRY
Workers Realization of Frightfui
and Preventablo Wastnge One of
Tendencies Of Year.
REVIEW BY FRANK MORRISON
Another Is Acceptance of Lmbor's
Position on Immigration Restric-
on-Injunctions Which Class
Labor as Property Opposed.

WASHINGTON, September 3.--Frank
-lorrison, secretary OF the American
Federation of Labor. made public to-
night the following statement in re-
view OF the labor situation:
1T is impossible TO record funda-
mental gains during the past year be-
cause of organized labor's agitation or
to individualize probable gains during
the year to come
THE best we can do is to observe
tendencies. Prominent among these is
the workers seizure of the cry for
preparedness to emphasize danger
in industry more deadly than battle
ileds.
Government statistics show that
10000 men arc annually killed. and
100000 are annually injured for
period Of four weeks. over.
1T has been stated that every year
there are over 100000 cases OF in
dustrial illness. caused mainly by long
hours. low wages dust. bad air. fumes.
smoke. poisonings and poor ventila-
ton. and that through typhoid fever
and malaria alone s90O.OOO.000 is an
nually lost TO this nation. Enough to
equip the largest army and navy in
,he world. and then have a balance
sufficient to pay the tuition of every
hoy now in college.
"a system of national preparedness
chat does not include recognition Of
This frightful and prcventable wastagc
IS the preparedness urged by his bust
Tess. y mortality that ignores these
facts aud condemns war is based on
meaningless pharases.
Another prcscnt-day tendency is
The acceptance of organized labor's
position on Immigration restriction.
During the past year the acid test OF
experience has verified the claim of
trade unions that American iustitu-
tons cannot assimilatc nor American
living standards resist, the flood tides
~ induced immi grafton that has been
tho policy OF captains of industry. In
formation and reports received by the
officers Of the American Federation Of
Labor clearly demonstrates the fact
that IL hor famine exists only where
employers still demand long hours at
low wages, and where they ignore the
Y.
Another element among employers who
talk of the scarcity of labor do so TO
entice a sufficient number Of idle work
ers to their factory gates as a menace
20 those employed aud who are liable
10 demand better conditions. These
employers oppose restriction of immi-
grafton because restriction will de-
feat their policy Of having two or more
men for every lob
Another tendency Is the growing
opposition 10 labor injunctions. which
class labor power as property. The
Congress Of the United States, has
voiced this opposition in amendments
20 the antitrust laws. Judicial inter
Drctations Of the term property III
the fourteenth amendment to the Fed
erai Constitution are losing their force
What was originally intended TO end
slavery has been used TO thwart the
enactment Of social legislation. but
courts have failed to check the swell
ing tide OF democracy.
The trade union mlovcmcn, is con-
scious of the part il has played in the
tendencies above referred to. and this
constituencies viii be an inspiration
to greater effort during the coming
year"