The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1916-03-04

merely by the men on the battlefield
but also by the mobilization of the ma
tional resources, national industries and
commerce. The real problem is the or
ganization of the material forces and re-
sources OF the country, the co-ordina-
ton OF these in the furtherance of a
definite military defense policy.
All OF the power and resources OF the
bclllgerent countries are concentrated to
sustain the armies in the field and to
equip them with the necessary supplies
as well as the weapons OF war. The con-
test between industries, the question of
commercial control of superiority of
economic organization are fully as i'm
portant as the contest between the sol
diers on the battlefield. Whatever. then,
/ is the necessary part of the human, of
the organization of industrial and COM
mercal life, is an important factor in
national preparedness.
| Our industrial and commercial develop
ment must also be in accord with a
! definitely evolved and co-ordinated plan,
based upon principles OF constructive
craftsmanship. This applies not only to
the organization and development of
commerce and the industries, but also to
the human being so essential to the pro-
ductlve and operative functions OF in
dustry and commerce.
The workers furnish the creative toll
and the intelligent service essential to
the best development of our material
civilization. Their best interests and
their highest development form the
greatest incentive in the work with
,yl, Il
fare and progress are inseparably asso-
cated with terms and conditions OF daily
work. 1t is essential, therefore, that they
should have voice in determining con-
ditions and terms of work and that they
should have an opportunity to establish
and maintain their ideals and concep-
tions of what constitutes their protection
and welfare. They can do this only by
some organized channel for the express
sion of their will They have worked out
such an agency through their trade or
ganizations. 1t follows then that trade
institutions of the workers. should be
recognized and dealt with in all matters
that affect the workers-aye, all the peo-
pie. This is essential to the best devel-
opment and progress in times of peace,
and increasingly important when the in
terests and the existence of the nation
are at issue.
Trade unions represent principles OF
human welfare They represent human
ideals. They represent opportunities for
better life and work for the masses of
the people. They are an integral part
of the organization of society, and must
be recognized by employers and by politi-
cal agents who have a conception of
democratic principles OF craftsmanship.
Our national development has thus
far been without concerted purpose and
practical ideals. No country on the globe
has been so wantonly waSteful of human
life as ours.
Our industrial and commercial devel-
opment also has been of a haphazard
nature rather than in accord with any
definite, constructive, Statesmanlike plan.
Because of the vast human and natural
resources OF Our country and the variety
of untouched opportunities, it has been
possible for us as a nation to achieve
tremendous results without definite plans,
without much wisdom, and without the
use of the best judgment Considering
our opportunities and the vast wealth OF
our country, to have failed would have
been much more marvellous than the de-
gree of success to which we have attain
ed. As our population has increased, as
free lands have disappeared, as there is
no longer the former wide range of op-
portunity, success in the future will be
more directly the result of the best use
of available opportunities and of the
best coordination of existing forces. AS
frontier opportunities have disappeared
so frontier business policies will no long
cr succeed. Commercial or industrial
policies that aimed at immediate results
with extravagant disregard for conser-
walton or for economical utilization of
materials will be replaced by better pol
icies OF developing commerce and indus
try upon a basis that means constructive
development instead of exploitation.
Preparedness is an economic as well
as a civic and military problem. The
principles of human welfare can not be
ignored in military matters or in plans
for national defense, just as they can
not be ignored in industry or commerce.
That infinitely valuable and sacred thing
human creative power, and the safe
guarding of human rights and freedom
are of fundamental Importance and are
correlated with national defense and
must not be sacrificed to any false con-
cept of national defense For to what
a., c,,raI &c 1a 90