The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-07-29

! the commission showed the fundamen-
tai grievances 10 De:
"ta) Excessive hours; tb) the boss
system (c) no right TO organize or 10
representation"
The remedies. desired were: "(al
shorter DAY ana week a.so WIN una ca mv,ns
ence, and end to the boss system.
which SO often subjects common labor
to petty tyrannies; (c) right TO union
ize and a substitution Of industrial de-
mocracy for Industrial autocracy."
'All the conditions THAT caused the
steel strike continue TO exist" was the
| final conclusion OF the commission. I'VE
| feel that unless changes are made APP
| proximating In some degree the findings
| here presented. another strike must
| come. In the measure that working
| men become intelligent and American
lied will they refuse to labor under such
| conditions"
The workers grievances were Of long
| standing. II was said, but had found no
| expression because: (a) They were linn
| tied largely to foreigners Of many races
and languages without industrial tradi-
| ton, education or leadership to organize.
| "(b) Race prejudice effectually kept
| the more skilled, more intelligent and
better paid American working men nom
taking ZIP the cause of the foreign
"(cl Labor unions have been accus-
| toned to look upon the foreigner as an
/ actual and potential strike breaker.
| I'D The steel companies nave most
effectuaily deferred men from joining
labor organizations" :.
/ was said, was brought TO expression py
l "(al The part those workingmen
| played in the war and the treatment
| afforded them for the sake OF war pro-
duction,, which gave them new sense
OF worth and Independence.
"(b) The night for democracy and
news of d larger workingmen's freedom
| in their native lands, together with a
growing sense OF real Americanism.
which brouht spirit OF democracy TO
"Ic) The decision of the American
Federation OF Labor TO organize them them
and its actual work of organizing them
into craft unions.
"(a) That the strike was regularly
| conducted in orthodox fashion according
| 10 the American Federation OF Labor
rules and principles.
"(b) That while radicals sympa-
thized with the strikers. as was natural 7.
strike leaders and that far from hay.
ing influence In II, they often denounced
and. opposed those who conducted the
strike.
real" continued the report az follows:
nal The average week OF 6S.T hours
the ID hour day, whether on a straight
12-hour shift or on broken division OF
1918 or 10-14 hours, the unbroken a.
hour period at the turn OF 9 shit and
all inhuman.
"(b) II is entirely practicable 10 put
all processes requiring continuous OPP
Grafton on straight S-hour basis as ]:
Illustrated by the Colorado Iron ane
Fuel company. These processes require
the services of only Traction Of thu
"(c) The boss system is bad. IN,
plant organization Is military and tht
control autocraitc. the companie
unions and the opportunity OF confer
ence. are theoretical; neither Is allowed
In practice.
"(d) The use of under cover. men 4
severely condemned. breeds dis
trust. breaks down morale ana stfmu
lates iii-will; 1t Is undemocratic and un
"(e) The refusal Of the United states
Steel company TO confer. to accep
mediation and tits attitude OF nauteu
Recommendation Of the war labor boar
melted labor strife and because OF tn
strength and influence OF this corpora
ton, forms one OF the greatest obstacle
to a Just settlement Of Industrial griev
ances and unrest at this time.
,nrs declared. ''by (a) the strike
breaking methods OF the steel companie
and their effective mobilization OF publ
opinion against the strikers tnrong,
and the closed shop. none OF whicl
were justified by the facts: and by thu
suppression of civil rights,
"(hJ The hostility OF the press givin
biased and colored news ana TIE ne s sn,,,s
question of justice involved: with atti
tudes OF press and pulpit helped Z
break the strikers morale.
, "fc) Pulpit fear OF a general iaho
war are. due 20 the coinciaence 2, "
strike together with lahor's failure :,
Formulate and explain its purposes witt
regard TO public service.
"(d) The prevailing prejudice OF ~
steel towns and In the general punh
mind ana among the English speakin
workingmen against the foreigners wn
constituted the overwhelming number
OF the strikers. =.
"(el The ineffective support given "
J strike by most Of the twenty -four affili
ated craft unions through which II wa
organized and by. the American FED
The recommendations of the commits
II. the adoption OF the eight-hou
shift on all continuous processes.
"a. Limiting OF the day to not NOR
than ten hours on duty, with not NOR
than a six-day and fifty-four week
\ with at least minimum comfort wage
-. Recognition Of right TO join regu
i lar craft unions or any other freel.
4 chosen form Of labor organization: rec
4 IGNITION OF right to open conferences
n either through shop committees o
union representatives: recognition Q
n right Of collective bargaining.
"a, A vast extension of house build
n ing--by the communities where pos
N sIble; by the steel companies wher
community building Is Inadequate
Il impossible.
rs. That organised labor:
ssfnl Democratixe and control IN
Il unions, especially In regard TO the call
Il ing, conduct and settlement OF strikes
"(hl Recognixe unions with q view {
4 sharing In responsibility for productio
processes: TO thia end:
Il. Repaldiating restrictions or Pre-
y auction as doctrine.