Excerpt from Industrial Relations, Vol. 1: Final Report and Testimony Submitted to Congress by the Commission on Industrial Relations Created by the Act of August 23, 1912

In such communities democratic government does not, as a rule, exist, except in name or form, and as a consequence there now exist within the body Of our Republic industrial communities which are virtually principalities, oppressive to those dependent upon them for a livelihood and a dreadful menace to the peace and welfare Of the Nation.

Such conditions as these are the direct and inevitable consequence of the industrial relations which exist in such communities. Politi cal freedom can exist only where there is industrial freedom; politi cal democracy only where there is industrial democracy.

Such industrial democracy has been established in a greater or less degree in certain American industries or for certain classes of employees. But between conditions Of industrial democracy and industrial feudalism there are almost infinite gradations marking the stages of evolution which have been reached. In every case, however, investigation has Shown that the degree of political free dom and democracy which exists is conditioned by the industrial status Of the citizens who form the majority of the community.

The problems Of industrial relations, therefore, demand the atten tion Of Congress, not only because they determine the life, security, and happiness Of the citizens Of the United States who occupy the position of wage earners but because they affect for good or evil the government Of localities and States and to a smaller de gree that Of the Nation itself. What each of these wage earners Shall eat, what he shall wear, where he shall live, and how long and under what conditions he shall labor are determined by his industrial status and by his relation, individually or collectively, to the person or corporation employing him. Similarly and almost as directly, this relationship determines whether the machinery Of government Shall be used for or against his welfare; whether his vote shall count for or against his own interest; whether he shall be tried by a jury of his peers or a jury selected in collusion with the employing com pany, or, under conditions of so-called martial law, by no jury what ever; whether, in fact, he Shall be a free man or be deprived Of every right guaranteed by Federal and State constitutions, imprisoned without warrant for the commission Of' crimes Of which he may be innocent or forcibly deported from the community or State in which he has made his home. For these reasons it seems desirable at the outset to suggest a recommendation to Congress that these problems Of industrial relationship should occupy their due prominence in the deliberations Of that honorable body, and that the entire machinery Of the Federal Government Should be utilized to the greatest possible degree for the correction Of such deplorable conditions as have been found to exist.

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