491:"The uniqueness of the efforts of the Commission on Industrial Relations between 1913 and 1915 lay in its staff of Wisconsin-trained experts and in the steadfast refusal of its nine members to allow any diversion of their attention from immediate problems of industrial relations. These very qualities paradoxically imparted to the commission a political significance greater than that of all previous investigations combined, for out of its work emerged both a labor program for the Democratic party in 1916 which shattered the narrow limits of its 1912 platform and, through the minority report of John R. Commons and Mrs. J. Borden Harriman, a series of proposals that were to become widely infused into the welfare capitalism of the 1920s."
22:
385:
position of comfort and security which we characterize as middle class. The actual concentration has, however, been carried very much further than these figures indicate. The largest private fortune in the United States, estimated at $ 1 billion , is equivalent to the aggregate wealth of 2.5 million of those who are classed as 'poor,' who are shown in the studies cited to own on the average about $ 400 each." Concerning the concentration of economic control, the
Commission concluded (vol. 1 p. 80): "The final control of American industry rests in the hands of a small number of wealthy and powerful financiers," fewer than 60 men altogether.
164:
111:
425:"We hold that efforts to stay the organization of labor or to restrict the right of employees to organize should not be tolerated, but that the opposite policy should prevail, and the organization of the trade unions and of the employers' organizations should be promoted...This country is no longer a field for slavery, and where men and women are compelled, in order that they may live, to work under conditions in determining which they have no voice, they are not far removed from a condition existing under feudalism or slavery."
371:"repression by police, judicial, and military agencies, which envisaged themselves as the defenders of society's 'good people.' And in each case but Philadelphia, where the public as a whole was irate over the general conduct of the transit company, the 'good people' in turn endorsed the repression. Small wonder that in all these strikes, and above all in the sanguinary three-year conflict on the Illinois Central Railroad, workers simply took the law into their own hands."
420:"Where (labor) organization is lacking, dangerous discontent is found on every hand; low wages and long hours prevail; exploitation in every direction is practiced; the people become sullen, have no regard for law and government, and are, in reality, a latent volcano, as dangerous to society as are the volcanoes of nature to the landscape surrounding them."
300:"inquire into the general condition of labor in the principal industries of the United States, including agriculture, and especially in those which are carried on in corporate forms ...; into the growth of associations of employers and of wage earners and the effect of such associations upon the relations between employers and employees ..."
266:. Only one of Grant's reports on the structural ironworkers bombing campaign was actually published by the CIR. However, an explosive report by Grant "Violence in Labor Disputes and Methods of Policing Industry" was never published and is only available in draft form from the National Archives and Wisconsin Historical Society.
277:. Four Commissioners ultimately confirmed were originally named by President Taft in December 1912, one month after his defeat: Commissioners Delano, O'Connell, Garretson and Lennon. Taft also nominated five other persons, but the Senate failed to confirm them. Those failed nominees were U.S. Senator
380:
Unable to agree on many points, the
Commission published three different final reports. One of the reports — primarily written by Commissioner Commons, with Commissioner Harriman — was signed by a bare majority of five Commissioners. Instead of calling for "industrial democracy," the Commons' report
510:
during World War I that "it is an exaggeration to assume that the
Commission was the principal, or even a major, cause of subsequent developments and to attribute to it, as does, the development of "a more steeply graduated tax structure, promotion of collective bargaining, minimum wage scales, and
384:
Discussing the distribution of wealth in
America, the Commission found that the poorer 65% of Americans together owned 8%, while the richest 2% owned 57% and concluded (vol. 1 p. 28): "The figures also show that with a reasonably equitable division of wealth, the entire population should occupy the
138:
The
Commission on Industrial Relations got its name from a petition presented to President Taft on December 30, 1911, entitled "Petition to the President for a Federal Commission on Industrial Relations," signed by 28 prominent people, Members of the Committee on Standards of Living and Labor of the
45:. The commission studied work conditions throughout the industrial United States between 1913 and 1915. The final report of the Commission, published in eleven volumes in 1916, contain tens of thousands of pages of testimony from a wide range of witnesses, including
381:
instead advocated the creation of impartial labor boards. It did not characterize conflict between labor and management as an inevitable and permanent condition. Commons' report expressed fear that the
Commission's report would "throw the movement into politics."
415:
A separate supplemental statement joined only by
Commissioners Lennon and O'Connell opposed the creation of an agency-administered system of mediation and arbitration, in favor of strengthening trade unions (and employer associations). Their statement concluded:
119:
516:
388:
The report signed by chairman Walsh and commissioners Lennon, O'Connell and
Garretson, written by attorney Basil Manly, was much more provocative and accusatory in its tone and conclusions. Its centerpiece was a call for industrial democracy and
93:
In 1871, there was a failed attempt to create an
Industrial Commission. There was also the Hewitt committee hearings of 1878–79, the three-year study of the Blair committee which ended in 1886, and a probe conducted from 1898 to 1902 by the
465:
called the commission "one of the tragic incidents of the present administration" which had "accomplished nothing." The president of the
Pittsburgh Employers' Association stated publicly that Walsh "should be assassinated."
134:
proposed the creation of a nine-person investigative committee called the Commission on Industrial Relations, which was approved by Congress to be formally created April 23, 1912. Its findings were filed April 23, 1915.
439:
observed that the commission had gone well beyond its duties to investigate the "cause and cure" of labor unrest. In promoting industrial democracy, it offered a "tonic" for American democracy itself. The
404:"It is industrial feudalism in an extreme form. Such estates are, as a rule, the property of absentee landlords, who are for the most part millionaires, resident in the eastern States or in Europe."
171:
The Commission was made up of nine commissioners, all nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. All but one served from beginning to end. The original nine Commissioners were:
495:
On the other hand, LaFayette Harter argues that the commission had been established to determine the roots of labor problems, but its liberal leanings caused Congress to ignore its findings.
1183:
349:
of Georgia attempted to cut Walsh's budget 75 percent. The vote failed, and Walsh promptly sent investigators to Smith's state, making lasting and powerful enemies.
140:
1188:
304:
The commission held 154 days of hearings. Walsh's leadership of the Commission attracted media attention and publicity. Some of the commission findings included:
1198:
1193:
481:. Historian Rayback explains that the commission's report influenced the decisions of the War Labor Board and the authors of New Deal labor legislation.
1133:
Industrial relations: final report and testimony submitted to Congress by the Commission on Industrial Relations created by the act of August 23, 1912
281:
of Utah (who was Taft's proposed chairman), Connecticut state legislator George B. Chandler (American Book Co.), Charles S. Barrett (Farmers' Union);
507:
477:
Graham Adams Jr. argues and Louis Galambos agrees that the Commission's hearings and reports influenced the passage of such labor legislation as the
314:
In California, migrant laborers work in fields with temperatures up to 105 degrees on farms where growers refused to supply them water in the fields.
270:
412:, the Manly report observed that they displayed "every aspect of feudalism except the recognition of special duties on the part of the employer."
917:
257:
21:
95:
311:
Seasonal unemployment affected tens of thousands of people in Pacific Coast cities. Only the fortunate averaged more than a meal a day.
245:
Shortly before the Commission's final report, Commissioner Delano resigned, and was replaced by Richard Aishton, vice-president of the
163:
246:
1164:
1088:
654:
561:
308:
The Commission found that lumber workers in the Northwest labored at their jobs for ten hours a day at only twenty cents an hour.
329:
511:
the eight-hour day... ." There is nothing in which would support the view that the Commission ever had the importance of the
1155:
Age of Industrial Violence, 1910–15: The Activities and Findings of the United States Commission on Industrial Relations
1079:
Age of Industrial Violence, 1910-15: The Activities and Findings of the United States Commission on Industrial Relations
936:"From the Pinkertons to the PATRIOT Act: The Trajectory of Political Policing in the United States, 1870 to the Present"
935:
484:
187:
997:
197:
110:
461:
characterized the Commission's president as "a Mother Jones in trousers." In 1916, Republican Presidential candidate
317:
One Paterson, New Jersey, silk mill fined workers fifty cents for talking and fifty cents for laughing while at work.
288:
Two months after entering the White House, President Wilson nominated replacements for Taft's five failed nominees.
222:
578:
Bobertz, Bradley C. (February 1999). "The Brandeis Gambit: The Making of America's "First Freedom," 1909–1931".
70:
528:
357:
208:
148:
727:. Wisconsin State Historical Library: Commission on Industrial Relations: Washington DC. p. 113 pp.
512:
180:
123:
345:
When Walsh embarrassed President Wilson, and suggested investigating the southern states, U.S. Senator
1143:
Commission on Industrial Relations, 1912—1915, Final Report of the Commission on Industrial Relations
919:
Commission on Industrial Relations, 1912—1915, Final Report of the Commission on Industrial Relations
462:
442:
285:(investment banker, copper magnate, and philanthropist); and F. C. Schwedtman (electrical engineer).
503:
262:
234:
193:
131:
324:
The commission studied several major strikes which occurred during its investigations, including:
1057:
1017:
955:
838:
624:
554:
Labor's Great War: The Struggle for Industrial Democracy and the Origins of Modern American Labor
216:
58:
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650:
557:
278:
202:
127:
66:
54:
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830:
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stated the report signaled "the beginning of an indigenous American revolutionary movement.
435:
228:
99:
457:
361:
341:
The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company strike, where the Ludlow Massacre occurred (1913–1914).
282:
253:
212:
82:
46:
356:
stated there was "an atmosphere of no quarter" when Walsh subpoenaed and then questioned
183:
labor lawyer and activist (who once told a friend "I hate like hell to be respectable"),
1153:
1077:
1037:
818:
766:
604:
499:
353:
274:
176:
50:
1177:
959:
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exclaimed that the report was "an indictment against organized capital. The journal
409:
346:
152:
38:
338:
Illinois Central and Harriman lines struggles with the railroad shopmen (1911–1915),
130:
building, killing twenty people. There was public outcry as a result, and President
924:
p. 25 64th Cong., 1st sess., 1916, S.Doc. 415 (Google Print—Entire document online)
390:
321:"In an era of...muckraking, the raised the technique to an unprecedented height."
62:
42:
963:
892:
478:
725:
Violence in Labor Disputes and Methods of Policing Industry. Unpublished report
448:
78:
74:
1147:
64th Cong., 1st sess., 1916, S.Doc. 415 (Google Print—Entire document online)
951:
498:
George Brooks, reviewing Adams' book, contends that despite the fact that
474:
The influence the report had on US politics is debated among historians.
394:
238:
647:
The Origins & Evolution of Industrial Relations in the United States
273:, in which incumbent President Taft was defeated by New Jersey Governor
1061:
842:
739:"Guide to the Commission On Industrial Relations Special Agents' Files"
628:
1021:
65:, scores of ordinary workers, and the titans of capitalism, including
1053:
834:
620:
1013:
328:
The Paterson, New Jersey, silk mill strike (1911–1913), led by the
162:
109:
20:
400:
That report explained the conditions of agricultural estates:
1117:. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. ASIN: B0006AY9HE.
25:
Final report of the Commission on Industrial Relations, 1916
269:
Congress had authorized the Commission shortly before the
167:
Original members of the Commission on Industrial Relations
364:. For three days Walsh publicly chastised Rockefeller.
367:
Historian Montgomery stated that the commission found:
260:, and Luke Grant, a labor journalist and editor of the
1008:(4). The Yale Law Journal Company, Inc.: 941–1031.
829:(3). Organization of American Historians: 630–631.
817:Rayback, Joseph G.; Adams, Graham (December 1966).
1152:
1076:
894:United States Congressional serial set, Issue 6916
335:New York City garment workers strike (1909–1910),
1184:History of labor relations in the United States
1141:United States House of Representatives (1916).
1131:United States House of Representatives (1915).
1038:"Age of Industrial Violence 1910–1915 (Review)"
916:United States House of Representatives (1916).
767:"Age of Industrial Violence 1910–1915 (Review)"
141:National Conference of Charities and Correction
605:"Age of Industrial Violence, 1910–15 (Review)"
114:Rubble of the Times building after the bombing
1115:John R. Commons: His Assault on Laissez-Faire
552:McCartin, Joseph Anthony (February 1, 1998).
8:
819:"Age of Industrial Violence, 1910–15 Review"
640:
638:
296:The Commission's responsibilities were to:
869:
867:
865:
863:
861:
800:
798:
796:
786:
784:
225:, a New York socialite and social activist
709:
707:
705:
703:
547:
545:
543:
539:
645:Kaufman, Bruce E. (December 1, 1992).
231:, a progressive California businessman
1189:History of the United States Congress
812:
810:
771:Industrial and Labor Relations Review
760:
758:
756:
7:
1199:Progressive Era in the United States
1137:11 volumes – online internet archive
598:
596:
594:
143:, many of whom were associated with
1151:Adams, Jr., Graham (January 1971).
1075:Adams, Jr., Graham (January 1971).
455:Others criticized the report. The
247:Chicago & Northwestern Railroad
96:United States Industrial Commission
1194:United States national commissions
1036:Louis P., Galambos (Summer 1967).
41:on August 23, 1912, to scrutinize
37:) was a commission created by the
31:Commission on Industrial Relations
14:
1113:Harter Jr., LaFayette G. (1962).
998:"Labor's Constitution of Freedom"
996:Pope, James Gray (January 1997).
588:40 Wm and Mary L. Rev. 557 p. 573
603:Montgomery, David (April 1967).
252:Among the Commission staff were
16:1912 US Congressional commission
934:Churchill, Ward (Spring 2004).
823:The Journal of American History
765:Brooks, George W. (July 1967).
330:Industrial Workers of the World
258:University of Wisconsin–Madison
741:. Martin P. Catherwood Library
502:later became cochairman, with
1:
1159:. Columbia University Press.
1083:. Columbia University Press.
580:William & Mary Law Review
649:. Cornell University Press.
188:American Federation of Labor
120:Structural Ironworkers Union
118:In 1910, two leaders of the
71:George Walbridge Perkins Sr.
1042:The Business History Review
256:, a labor economist at the
241:democratic flour mill owner
198:Order of Railway Conductors
1215:
271:1912 presidential election
63:William "Big Bill" Haywood
55:Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
940:The New Centennial Review
223:Florence Jaffray Harriman
98:, appointed by President
1026:p. 115 106 Yale L.J. 941
408:Regarding conditions in
186:James O'Connell, of the
529:United States labor law
358:John D. Rockefeller Jr.
609:Technology and Culture
479:Adamson Eight-Hour Act
376:Commission conclusions
168:
149:Paul Underwood Kellogg
115:
26:
952:10.1353/ncr.2004.0016
181:Kansas City, Missouri
166:
124:the McNamara Brothers
113:
24:
966:on October 20, 2009.
723:Grant, Luke (1915).
517:McClellan Committees
463:Charles Evans Hughes
443:Seattle Union Record
977:Commission, p. 165.
855:McCartin, p. 26, 28
504:William Howard Taft
470:Long-term influence
263:Chicago Inter Ocean
235:S. Thruston Ballard
211:, President of the
194:Austin B. Garretson
132:William Howard Taft
33:(also known as the
1145:. Washington: GPO.
1135:. Washington: GPO.
922:. Washington: GPO.
882:Commission, p. 269
217:Franklin Roosevelt
209:Frederic A. Delano
169:
159:Commission members
147:magazine, such as
116:
59:Theodore Schroeder
27:
279:George Sutherland
203:John Brown Lennon
128:Los Angeles Times
67:Daniel Guggenheim
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1002:Yale Law Journal
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986:McCartin, p. 34.
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962:. Archived from
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485:David Montgomery
436:The New Republic
397:on land values.
229:Harris Weinstock
126:, dynamited the
100:William McKinley
35:Walsh Commission
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508:War Labor Board
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458:New York Herald
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430:Public response
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362:Ludlow massacre
294:
283:Adolph Lewisohn
254:John R. Commons
213:Wabash Railroad
205:, of the A.F.L.
161:
108:
91:
83:Andrew Carnegie
47:Clarence Darrow
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1103:Kaufman, p. 9.
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1048:(2): 240–242.
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713:McCartin p. 19
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697:McCartin p. 22
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688:McCartin p. 18
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679:Kaufman p. 200
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615:(2): 234–237.
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500:Frank P. Walsh
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215:(and uncle of
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51:Louis Brandeis
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777:(4): 712–714.
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39:U.S. Congress
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899:. Retrieved
893:
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851:
826:
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743:. Retrieved
733:
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693:
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670:Kaufman p. 8
666:
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395:'Single Tax'
391:Henry George
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89:Predecessors
43:US labor law
34:
30:
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18:
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513:La Follette
352:Journalist
1178:Categories
1125:References
449:The Masses
360:about the
347:Hoke Smith
79:Henry Ford
75:U.S. Steel
960:145098109
506:, of the
196:, of the
175:Chairman
523:See also
487:states:
239:Kentucky
190:(A.F.L.)
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901:May 31,
843:1887618
629:3101980
106:Origins
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1058:JSTOR
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956:S2CID
839:JSTOR
625:JSTOR
535:Notes
1161:ISBN
1085:ISBN
968:p.10
903:2015
747:2006
661:p. 3
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