The Alaska daily empire., 1918-02-26

sulting weakness of the organization deprived the industry of the discipline over workers exercised by stronger unions and gave the less responsible leaders ? freer field for activity Thus a numeri- cally small minority could compel a strike be- of the solidarity of workmen in time ot strike
 The commissioners then dealt with the telephor strike and assert that adjustment much easit from that fact that the employees skilled an easily understood the advantages of workiu agreements.
 Referring to the L w. W. element in the lumbt camps the commissioners said
 This uncompromising attitude the part of the employers has reaped for them an organlza- tion of destructive rather than constructive radi- calism The l. w. w. is filling the vacuum ere ated by the operators The red card is carried by large numbers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Membership in the L W. w. by no means implies belief in or understanding of it's philosophy. To majority of the members it is bond of grop- ing fellowship According to the estimates Of conservative students of the phenomenon very small percentage of the l. W. Ws are really un- derstanding followers of subversive doctrine. The l. w w is seeking results by dramatizng evils and by romantic promises of reHet The hold or the l. w. w. is rveted instead of weakened by unimaginatve opposition on the part of employers to the correction of real grieyances-an opposition based upon academic fear that granting just de- mands will lead unjust demands. The great est difficulty in the industry is the tenacity or old habits of individualism. The cooperative spirit is only just beginning.
 "The unrest which at bottom is the assertion of human dignity, focuses upon demand for the eighthour day. It is almost the only large indus try the coast in which the basic eighthour day does not prevail The operators doggedly opposed the eighthour day the ground that they are unable to meet Southern competitors operating under longer hours. They were unacquainted with the tendencies revealed by the introduction of the eighthour day in other industries and the experi- ments of the British Ministry of Munitions as to the relation between shorter hours and efficiency.
 "In truth not escape the conviction that with too many opposition to the eight-hour day has become matter of pride instead of iudg ment, reluctance to yield after having defeated the strike Opposition to the eighthour day is carried to the point of binding members of an employers association the Pacific coast by agree ment to discriminate against such mills intro duce the change. On the other hand, the change has been introduced by farhighted employers, par ticuary those in the inland empire district not by way of yielding to threats, but introducing a wise innovation recognized a desirable tional policy for industry.
 "In the judgment of the commission the intro duction of the basic eighthour day in the Pacific Northwest lumber industry is indispensable a of national need It is essential in order to assure stability in the industry, efficiency of output, and to obtain an adequate labor supply in the face of better competitive conditions in neigh boring industries. Negotiations between the mission and the operators association on the coast had reached point where the adoption of the eighthour day seemed practically assured. Unfortunately conferences between representatives of the Pacific coast lumbermen and officials in Washington held contemporaneousy with the sion of the commission in Seattle, rise to ad-
 
 ciates the coast which led to reversal of attitude and to nsistence that the eight-hour day must into operation for the entire country be- fore the Northwest Pacific coast would yield The principal and certain source of difficulty there fore remains It be and should be promptly removed by administrative action requiring the basic eighthour day in all contracts for lumber entering into Government work"
 The packing industry is also reyeiwed and in con :uson the commissioners report:
 The of unrest suggest their own of correction:
 "The elimination to the utmost practical ex- tent of all profiteerng during the period of the is prerequisite to the best morale in industry.
 Modern largescale industry has effectualy destroyed the personal relation between employer and employee-the knowldge and cooperation that come from personal contact. It is therefore no longer possible to conduct industry by dealing with employees as individuals Some form of collective relationship between management and is indispensable The recognition of this principle by the Government should form an ac cepted part of the labor policy of the Nation.
 Law, in business as elsewhere, depends for it's vitality upon steady enforcement. Instead of waiting for adjustment after grievances come to the surface there is needed the establishment of continuous administrative machinery for the or derly disposition of industrial issues and the avoidance of an atmosphere of contention and the waste of disturbances.
 "The eighthour day is established policy of the country; experience has proved justifca ton of the principle also in times. rovis tion must of be made for longer hours in case of emergencies. Labor will readily meet this requirement if it's misuse is guarded against by appropriate overtime payments
 Unified direction of the labor administration of the United States for the period of the war should be established At present there is an un- related number of separate committees boards agencies, and departments having fragmentary and conflicting jurisdiction the labor problems raised by the war. A singlehea adminisra- tion is needed, with full power to determine and establish the necessary administrative structure
 (Snce this report written the direction of the labor administration for the war has been delegated to the Secretary of Labor)
 When assured of sound labor conditions and eHecuVe means Tor the just redress of grievances that may arise labor in it's turn sbould surrender all practices which tend restrict maximum eff. ciency
 "Uncorrected evils are the greatest provocative to extremist propaganda and their correction in itself would be the best counterpropaganda But there is need m affir