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


 the right of the employees to regu- late their own lives, nor does it abridge their right to join any or ganization they please At the same time it does insure the men fair treatment and an opportunity to make their voice heard in determining the conditions under which they shall W rokand 7S9O$ ETA OETAO ETAOO work and live.
 The plan does not ueny to the rep resentatives the right to act in con- cert; it does not deny to the men the right to employ counselors or ad- visers to assist them in formulating their views as to any situation. In- deed, the door is left wide open for the natural exercise of any right or privilege to whcih the men are entitl- ed.
 There is nothing in the plan to prevent the men holding open or se- cret meetings as often as they like, either in the separate camps, the dis tricts. or as representing the whole industry. Such meetings are not specifically provided for because all those who are connected with the cor porations are considered to be part ners in the enterprise, and their in-
 erests, common interetss
 The plan provides channel through which not only may the men confer with the management, but through which also the officers may lay their purposes, problems, and difficulties before the employees. It provides a medium of adjustment, as between employer and employees, of the prob. lens which constantly arise in the conduct of business, while in regard to the relations of both it recognizes that the voice of public opinion is en- titled to be heard. The acts of bodies of men in their relations with other men should always be illumin- ated by publicity, for when the peo- pie see clearly what the facts are, they will, in the long run, encourage what is good and condemn what is selfish.
 Some may think that the form which the organization of labor takes must necessarily be originated and developed by labor. If, however, a workable cooperation between mana gers and men is actually developed, which is satisfactory to both, is it's authorship of consequence, provided only its provisions are adequate and just and it proves to be an effective instrument through which real dem- ocracy may have free play?
 The Colorado plan has been devised for the employees of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, and without reference to the employees, or or ganizations of employees, in other companies. Some people will main tain that the mems interests cannot be adequately protected or their rights at all times enforced without the proper support of their fellows n similar industries. This may be true where Labor and Capital do not generally recognize that their inter. ests are enc. But when men and managers grasp tl,at vital point, as I believe this plan will help them to do, and are really awake to the fact that when either takes an unfair advantage of the other the ultimate interests of both are bound to suffer, they will have an incentive to fair dealing, of the most compelling kind.
 It is clear that a plan of this kind must not overlook the interests of the stockholders, for no plan which dis regards their rights can be perman- ently successful. The interests of Capital can no more be neglected than those of Labor. At the same time I feel that a prime considera- tion in the carrying on of industry should be the well-being of the men and women engaged in it, and that l the soundest industrial policy is that which has constantly in mind the ! welfare of the employees as we'll as | the making of profits, and which. | when the necessity arises, subordin- | ates profits to welfare. In order to live, the wage-earner must sell his Ia- Dor from day to day. Unless he can | do this, the earnings of that days i labor are gone forever. Capital can defer it's returns temporarily in the expectation of future profits, but La Dor cannot. If, therefore, fair wages and reasonable living conditions can not otherwise be provided, dividends must be deferred or the industry abandoned. On the other hand, | huSinPSS tn he SncnoScfnl ,,,,,.. .,a.