XVI. LABOR AND LABOR LEGISLATION

THE LABOR MOVEMENT

CHARLES F. GETTEMY

THE SPIRIT OF UNREST

scales in the lowest paid and sweated industries.

There is at the present time among Movements for better housing and the working population of the world town planning show signs of growth a spirit of unrest, the origin of both here and abroad. The townwhich undoubtedly lies in the world- planning exhibits at Düsseldorf and wide spread of aspirations which in- Berlin demonstrated the desire on crease the wants of the people. This the part of European cities to make movement has for its goal a larger over their municipalities to meet share in the product of the common new needs and greater possibilities. toil and a larger control of the con- Building associations, such as that ditions under which the working peo- in Frankfort, are providing attractple live and labor-in short, a high- ive and comfortable homes at very er standard of living and better cheap rental to thousands of workworking conditions. By a strangely ers. Town and city councils are procommon impulse, which is as yet viding new and improved dwellings without international organization in the place of old and unsanitary or even understanding, the industrial tenements. Garden city enterprises, peoples of western Europe, of Aus- such as Hampstead, Bourneville, tralia and New Zealand, of America, Letchworth, and Port Sunlight have and even the poor peasants of Rus- made great strides in England, where sia are showing unmistakable signs the co-partnership housing associaof discontent. There has arisen a tions are so successful. America, movement among these workers with its new land, its half-grown which seeks by a better adjustment cities, and its freer land tenure and of rates of wages to cost of living to share more largely the increasing wealth of the world and the better conditions of human life which they believe they are producing.

laws promises an even more fertile field for this movement. In America, perhaps the most striking feature of the labor movement has been the awakening to the necessity for reform in dealing with the problem of industrial injuries resulting from work-accidents and diseases.

COST OF LIVING

In response to this movement of the workers, numerous efforts are being put forth by governmental action to supplement wages insufficient to meet the emergencies of life. Schemes for insurance against accident, sickness, and unemployment, and systems of old-age pensions show Wholesale Prices in 1910.-All over that the first steps are being taken the world wage earners are complainlooking to the abolition of pauper- ing that things are costing them ism, if not poverty. And the govern- more, that their wages do not go so ments of England and Australia are far as they did, that their small leading the way in a protest against comforts are being restricted. The employment at less than a living report on wholesale prices by the wage by establishing minimum wages Federal Bureau of Labor shows that

wholesale prices in 1910 reached the banking facilities used for the holdhighest point in 21 years. As meas- ing of crops, reduced supplies conured by the 257 commodities includ- venient to transportation lines, cold ed in its investigation, they advanced storage systems, higher costs of dis4 per cent. over the wholesale prices tribution, industrial combinations, in 1909, and with this advance they organizations of producers or dealers, were 1.6 per cent. above the high advertising, increased money supply, average of 1907, the year of highest over-capitalization, higher standards prices within the period 1890 to of living, and others. There is a sig1910. (See also XIII, Prices.) nificant discussion of the influences Prices in Canada. The Canadian of the gold supply upon current Department of Labor issued a report prices. The report did not contend on "Wholesale Prices in Canada, that the increase in gold was the 1890-1909," in which the general in- dominant, or even a principal cause dex numbers were made on such a of the rise of prices, but that it unbasis as to be comparable with the doubtedly had exerted a positive efUnited States Bureau of Labor fect by cheapening the standard of series, which are in accord with the price, and at the same time enorbest scientific opinion. The report mously increasing the amount of enumerates various elements which credit based on gold. affect prices-variations in yields or Government Control of Prices.harvests, improvements or other An interesting proposition was adchanges in methods of transporta- vanced by Attorney-General Wickertion, legislative enactments, such as sham and Judge Gary to the effect tariffs, bounties, and excise duties, that the government, in order to conthe operation of trusts, trade agree- trol great aggregations of wealth, ments, seasonal changes, changes in would find it advantageous and custom or fashion, increase in popu- might find it absolutely necessary to lation, and other changes involving exercise over industrial organizations deferred productivity. Concerning the same power of regulation that it the money side of price change the now exercises over inter-state railstatement is made that "the part roads. Mr. Wickersham noted that which gold plays as a direct vehicle since Congress had provided means of exchange dwindles into insignifi- for preventing discrimination and cance beside that of the credit sys- unreasonableness tem, which, though resting on a metallic basis, is not necessarily proportioned to metallic reserve, and the organization of which is therefore a most important factor in the modern financial world."

in the prices charged for interstate transportation, so it might establish a similar legislative rule with respect to the prices of commodities which are the subject of interstate commerce. He pointed out that when property is used in a manner to make it of public consequence and affects the community at large, it becomes clothed with a public use and may be controlled by the public for the common good.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Senate Report on Wages and Prices. Interesting reports have been issued as the result of governmental inquiries as to the causes of the recent increases in the cost of living, particularly those of the U. S. Senate Committee on Wages and Prices and the Massachusetts Commission on the Cost of Living. (See YEAR BOOK for 1910, p. 391.) The Phosphorus Poisoning. An investiSenate report minimizes the effect gation of phosphorus necrosis in of the tariff upon prices. Among the American match factories was inaucauses for the rise of prices are men- gurated by the American Association tioned higher cost of production of for Labor Legislation and conducted farm products, increased demand for by the United States Bureau of Lasuch products, shifting of population bor. Agents of the government visfrom food-producing to food-consum- ited the match factories in 1909 and ing occupations and localities, re- found many cases of the dread neduced fertility of land, increased crosis or "phossy jaw," which rots

Bureau of Mines.-The Federal Bureau of Mines signalized its recently specialized function by adding rescue cars to the equipment of rescue stations, and by continuing with increased efficiency the work of in

conducted by the technologic branch of the United States Geological Survey.

The New York Joint Board of Sanitary Control in the Cloak, Suit, and Skirt Industry. The sanitary government of an industry by the industry itself is a new phase of constructive social work, and marks a

this country. The establishment of this board was the outcome of the great strike of garment workers in

plied jointly by the manufacturers and unions, a survey of work conditions was carried forward and the findings were presented to both parties to the labor contract as the basis of concerted action. The unions engaged in at least one "health strike" to remedy conditions in a plant which offended on every count in the investigation-in itself a way mark in trade history in New York.

the teeth and jawbones and requires a world-wide fight against poisonous mutilating operations. The report phosphorus. of the investigation, which was written by Dr. Andrews, secretary of the American Association for Labor Legislation, enlisted the interest of President Taft, who asked that a bill to stop the danger be prepared. The Diamond Match Co., however, vestigation and education formerly owned in this country a patent that robs phosphorus of its dangers, and the passage of such an act, which appeared to give that company a monopoly control, met with strong opposition. The Diamond Co. then of fered to license companies to use this harmless phosphorus sesquisulphide, but the original terms suggested were such that all the companies new epoch in the labor movement in found it impossible to agree, although they were anxious to do away with the poisonous white phorphorus after the disclosures had enlightened New York in 1910. On funds supthe public of its dangers. These objections were finally met, however, and eight companies executed stipulations giving to them the right to use the patented process. The modified conditions, however, did not still the objections of all, and as a result the Diamond Co. transferred the legal title of its patent to the use of phosphorus sesquisulphide to three trustees: Prof. Edwin R. A. Seligman, of Columbia University; The Board of Sanitary Control was Charles P. Neill, United States Com- specifically created for the purpose missioner of Labor, and Jackson of establishing and maintaining Ralston, an attorney for the Ameri- higher sanitary standards in the can Federation of Labor. These trus- shops of the cloak-making industry. tees were given absolute power to The total number of individual shops fix terms which they believed to be inspected was 1,243, the largest numfair, under which all match manu- ber being in Manhattan in the disfacturers who had not already ar- trict south of 34th Street. As a reranged for licenses giving to them sult of these investigations a series the right to use the non-poisonous of standards has been adopted by substitute for white phosphorus, the Board. They constitute the first may acquire this privilege. As even sanitary program legislated for this concession did not remove all the objections, the President wrote the trustees suggesting that the use of the patent be made free to all. This the Diamond Co. agreed to do, and forthwith gave up its title. This act marks the end of a long cam- Fire Prevention.-Immediately fol paign, and it remains to be seen what lowing a factory fire in Newark, further objections will be made to N. J., in Nov., 1910, in which 25 emthe Esch bill, which proposes to ployees were killed and injured, an make all matches safe and to add investigation was undertaken which the United States to the ranks of the showed that the fire was identical nations which have joined hands in with many others which have oc

jointly by the employers and employees in any industry in the United States, and in that respect mark an important step forward in the history of industrial relations in America.

24.

CHILD LABOR

curred with periodical regularity, and which have to a greater or less extent the same attendant circum- Legislative Standards.-The movestances. Following the investiga- ment for child-labor reform covers tion, which showed among other the broad field of child-labor legisthings the ineffective character of lation and its enforcement, and the existing laws and ordinances for the constructive policies which seek to protection of life from factory fires, provide the child, excluded from the common council of Newark re- prohibited industries, the physical, vised its municipal building code and mental, and moral opportunities a new fire-prevention law was passed needed to develop efficient citizenand signed by the governor on April ship. In the field of legislation, certain standards are aimed at, which, A few months after this disastrous briefly stated, are as follows: exclufire, 142 shirtwaist operatives, chief- sion of children below the age of 14 ly young girls, were killed in a fac- years from the field of competitive tory fire in New York. The fire industry; regulation of the employ. started on the eighth floor which, ment of children between 14 and 21 with the ninth and tenth, was occu- years of age, in harmony with prinpied by the Triangle Waist Co., hav- ciples that conserve individual and ing some 600 employees, about 100 social interests; and prohibition of of whom were men. For lack of a night work for children under 16 fire drill, the employees did not have years of age. (For a review of childa prompt alarm and were not labor legislation during 1911 see marched to the exits. About 100 Labor Legislation, infra.)

bodies were found in a charred mass

The Federal Children's Bureau.

in front of the doors to the stair- After several years of agitation a ways and elevators, and about 40 jumped from the windows, falling 110 ft. with such force that some of them broke through iron gratings to the basement. A week after the fire, a mass meeting of citizens was held and a permanent Committee on Safety formed, whose influence was directed toward securing the passage of a bill providing for an official investigation by a state commission, going into the fundamental aspects of the situation. The creation of this commission may be expected to result in a more exhaustive study than has hitherto been made of the whole safety problem in omnibus factory buildings, of which the study of fire prevention is an example. (See also Labor Legislation, infra, and XI, Fire and Fire Prevention.)

The Red Cross Emergency Car.The American Red Cross in January put upon the road a special Pullman car available for emergency work at disasters but designed chiefly as a traveling school to teach first-aid methods to workmen in dangerous trades. It has cooking, eating, and sleeping quarters for the staff and a room 26 ft. long which can be used as either an emergency hospital or lecture hall.

bill was presented to Congress providing for the establishment of a Children's Bureau in the Department of Commerce and Labor. It is intended that this bureau shall investigate and report upon all matters pertaining to the welfare of children and child labor, especially the question of infant mortality, the birth rate, orphanage, juvenile courts, desertion, dangerous occupations, accidents and diseases of children, employment, legislation affecting children in the several states and territories, and such other facts as have a bearing upon the welfare of children. The bill as drawn and recommended for passage confines the operation of the bureau primarily to the question of investigation and of reporting the same, and is not designed to encroach upon the rights nor relieve the states from the duty of dealing with this subject.

Stage Children.-Through the activities of theatrical managers, the problem of child labor on the stage occupied an important place in the public mind, the most prominent activities being in Wisconsin, where the new law provides a license system for stage children under 16 and requires all under 14 to be constant

ly accompanied by a guardian, and, in Illinois, where, after a heated campaign to repeal the present prohibition, the law was left unchanged. In Indiana children under 16 have been prohibited from employment on the stage. A plan of regulation

somewhat similar to that in New York has been provided in the laws of Colorado.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

eration. John Mitchell told the convention that it was a "packed" convention of the United Mine Workers at Columbus last Spring which had compelled him to give up his $6,000 position with the National Civic Federation.

The Building Trades Department reinstated the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, which was suspended about a year ago. The department also concurred in the action of the federation declaring for amalgamation of the Steam Fitters and Plumbers' Unions.

was found to be

at once

The American Federation of Labor held its 31st annual convention at Atlanta, Ga., in November. PresiThe Bucks Stove and Range Co. of a dent Gompers' report declared for Controversy. As the result and said that organized labor de- change in the administration of the manded: the referendum, the initi- affairs of the Bucks Stove and Range ative, and the recall; the passage of Co. of St. Louis, the prolonged, dethe so-called Wilson anti-injunction termined, and bitterly contested isbill at the next session of Congress; sue between this company and the restriction of immigration; further American Federation of Labor came restriction of convict labor; legisla- to an end. This apparently irretion to relieve civil service employees pressible conflict from the executive orders prohibiting amenable to a settlement by the them to petition Congress; uniform parties themselves, which is officiallaws for protection of life and health ly reported to have been "adjusted in factory buildings; a department of upon mutually honorable terms, satlabor in the Federal government; isfactory to all concerned." The and employers' liability and work- company's attorneys were men's compensation acts throughout withdrawn from the case against the the states. Severe arraignment was Federation pending before the Unimade of so-called scientific manage- ted States Supreme Court, which ment or efficiency systems. In scor- thereupon threw it out of court as ing the so-called efficiency and scien- "a moot case." Minority stockholdtific management systems, President ers sought to restrain the company Gompers declared as false statements and the Federation from carrying that the systems had increased out their pact of peace under a claim wages. He charged that the sys- for threefold damages of $750,000. tems work undue hardship on the On May 15 the United States Sulabor and result in no material gain. preme Court reversed on technical The membership of the organiza- grounds the decision of two lower tion was never so great (1,750,000). courts of the District of Columbia According to Secretary Morrison's re- and ruled that Samuel Gompers, port, its financial condition was ex- John Mitchell, and Frank Morrison, cellent. The treasury showed a bal-officers of the American Federation ance of nearly $200,000 on hand. of Labor, had been erroneously senNearly $5,000,000 was distributed in tenced to jail in the injunction prosupport of strikes by the various ceedings growing out of the boycott unions which are affiliated with the of the company by the Federation. federation. During 1911 the federa- This decision does not mean, howtion issued 326 charters to unions, ever, that these men were not guilty bringing the total of its organization of contempt of court, nor does it membership to 1,464. In individual mean that they may not be punished membership the federation gained for it; it means simply that they nearly 200,000 during the year. may not, under the legal proceedings The convention defeated the reso- recently held, be punished by imlution "respectfully requesting" its prisonment. The Court pointed out officers to resign from the Civic Fed- that the proper method was for the