66 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND WAGES 
as the Federal Electric Railway Commission, for the pur- 
pose of investigating conditions and recommending a con- 
structive program for the physical and financial rehabili- 
tation of the street railway industry. 
The employees of the industry, as represented by the 
Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway 
Employees, made a detailed submission to the Commission 
during the course of its public hearings, conceding that 
the financial and physical disabilities of the induscry should 
be remedied, but also claiming, as a condition of its rehabili- 
tation, that there should be proper guaranties to the labor 
employed. They advanced the “productive efficiency” and 
“living wage” arguments as to wages, asserting that the 
employees by their cooperation had reduced operating 
costs and should have a greater participation in net reve- 
nue gains, one form of which should consist in the assur- 
ance of a wage sufficient to provide for a “minimum stand- 
ard of health and comfort” for employees and their 
families. 
The final report of the Commission recognized this 
demand for a “living wage” guaranty, and unanimously 
reported in its favor.! While this declaration as to the 
“living wage” had no immediate, practical bearing on wage 
adjustments, its ultimate significance as a sanction for the 
living-wage principle was very great. Especially was this 
true because of the character of the personnel of the Com- 
mission. In addition to appointees from the industry 
itself, it included representatives of the United States 
Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of 
Labor, National Association of Railway and Utility Com- 
missioners, American Cities League of Mayors, and the 
Investment Bankers Association. 
1 Report of the Federal Electric Railway Commission, Washington, Govern- 
ment Printing Office, 1920.