The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-01-21

helpful, the final and only test of sue cess to be the degree to which the practical suggestions growing out of the investigation actually improved the relations between Labor and Capi- tai.
 With reference to the situation which had unfortunately developed in Colorado, it became evident to those responsible for the management of one of the larger coal companies there-the Colorado Fuel & Iron Com pany, in which my father and I are interested-that matters could not be allowed to remain as they were. Any situation, no matter what it's cause, out of which so much bitterness could grow, clearly required amelior- ation.
 It has always been the desire and purpose of the management of the Col orado Fuel & Iron Company that its employees should be treated literally and fairly. However, it became clear that there was need of some more efficient method whereby the petty frictions of daily work might be dealt machinery which, without imposing financial burdens upon the workers, would protect the rights,and encour- age the expression of the wants and of noarnlU of those men who were members of some organization, but of every man on the company's payroll. The problem was how to promote the well-being of each employee; more than that, how to foster at the same time the interest of both the stockholders and the em- ployees through bringing them to realize the fact of their real partner ship.
 Long before the Colorado strike end l ed, ' sought advice with respect to possible methods of preventing and adjusting such a situation as that which had arisen; and in December, 1914, as soon as the strike was term I AudlSQ dllQ nOlIllcl COllIlIlOAo WClO restored, the officers Of the Colorado Fuel &. Iron Company undertook the practical development of plans which had been under consideration The men in each mining camp were in vited to choose, by secret ballot, representatives to meet with the ex- Iecutive officers of the company to discuss matters of mutual concern and consider means of more effective co-operation in maintaining fair and Friendly relations.
 That was the beginning merely the germ, of plan which has now been developed into comprehensive In duStrial Constitution. The scheme embodies practical operating ex- perience, the advice and study of experts, and an earnest effort to pro- vide a workable method of friendly consideration, by all concerned, of the daily problems which arise in the mutual relations between employ CT and employees.
 The plan was submitted to refe- rendum of the employees in all the company's coal and iron mines, and adopted by an overwhelming vote.
 Before this general vote was taken, it had been considered and unani- mously approved by a meeting of the employees elected representatives. At that meeting I outlined the plan, which is described below, as we'll as the theory underlying it, which the ory is in brief as follows:
 Every corporation is composed of
 four parties: the stockholders, who
 supply the money with which to
 build the plant, pay the wages, and
 operate the business; the directors,
 whose duty it is to select executive
 officers carefully and wisely, plan
 the larger and more important poli- , cies, and generally see to it that the company is prudently administered :; the officers, who conduct the cur
 rent operations; and the employees, . who contribute theh skill and their