The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-07-28

and its actual work Of organizing
them into crafts unions.
I'VE found" the report said:
(a) That the strike was regularly
conducted in orthodox fashion.
"(b) That while radicals sympathiz-
ed with the strikers, as was natural,
they were effectually debarred by the
strike leaders and that far from having
influence in 1t, they often denounced
and opposed those who conducted the
strike.
1--WE find the grievances to have
been real" continued the report as
follows:
"(a) The average week of 68.7
hours, the IL hour day, whether on a
straight IL hour shift or on a broken
division of 11-13 or 1914 hours, the IN
broken "a hour period at the turn Of a
shift and the underpayment OF un-
skilled labor, are all inhuman.
"(b) 1t Is entirely practicable to put
all processes requiring continuous
operation on a straight eight hour
basis as is illustrated by the Colorado
Iron and Fuel company. These pro-
cesses require the services Of only a
fraction of the workers.
"(c) The boss system is bad, the
plant organization is military and the
control autocratic. The companies
claim that they accord the right to
join unions and the opportunity of
conference, are theoretical; neither Is
allowed in practice.
"(d) The use of under cover men
is severely condemned. 1t breeds dis
trust, breaks down morals and stlmu'
lates il1-will; it is undemocratic and
un-American.
Companys Attitude Condemned.
"(e) The refusal Of the United
J States Steel company to confer, to &C
cept mediation and, its attitude OF
mateur as shown by its refusaD to fol
low the recommendations Of the wal
labor board melted labor strife and
because of the strength and influence
of this corporation, forms one of the
greatest obstacles to a just settlement
Of industrial grievances and unrest al
this time.
"The strike was defeated" the find
I ings declare, "by (a) The strike break
ing methods of the steel companies
and their effective mobilization Of
public opinion against the strikers
through the charges of radical1sm, Dol
shevism and the closed shop. none Of
which were justified by the facts; ano
by the suppression Of civil rights.
"(b) The hostility of the press. Civ
ing biased and colored news and the
silence Of both press and pulpit on the
actual question of justice involved
which attitudes Of press and pulpit
helped to break the strikers morale.
"[c) Public fear of a general labor
war due to the coincidence Of the Goa
strike and threat of the railroad
strike, together with labor's failure tt
formulate and explain it's purposes
with regard to public service.
"(d) The prevailing prejudice of the
steel towns and in the general public
mind and among the English-speakint
working men against the foreigners
who constituted the overwhelming
numbers of the strikers.
Union Support Was Weak.
"(e) The ineffective support giveI
the strike by most of the affiliated
craft unions through which it was or
gained and by the American fedora
ton of labor"
The recommendations Of the com
mission follow:
Il. The adoption of the eight-hou
shift on all continuous processes.
80. Limiting of the. day to not more
than 10 hours on duty, with not NOR,
than a six day and a 81 hour week
with at least a minimum comfor
wage.
''3. Recognition of right to join regu
larly craft unions or any other freel,
chosen form of labor organization
recognition of right to open confer