The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1917-05-25
BY SAMUEL GoMPERs.

ehces betWeen employers and Work
ers Will Be Settled by Common Sense.
BY SAMUEL GOMPERS.
The presidents proclamation of war
between this country and Germany
was followed by feeling of apprehen-
sion and fear of unknown disturb
ances in the commercial and industrial
world. There were rumors and the be-
ginning of efforts to make war danger
the excuse for changing completely
existing standards. Movements began
Of the workday and other conditions
established to protect the health and to
conserve the labor power of workers.
In order to inject something that
would act as a steadying force during
the first hours after the war the ex-
ecutive committee of the committee on
labor, including conservation of the
health and welfare of workers, adopt
ed declaration which was referred to
the advisory commission and, when
adopted by that body, to the Council of
National Defense. The Council of Ma
tional Defense then adopted and made
public the declaration The purpose Of
the declaration was to prevent enact
ment of legislation repeating labor leg
islation and to prevent unnecessary, i'll
advised and hasty changes of stand
ards in To ind
tion urged upon the legislatures of the
several states which were then in ses-
sion and would shortly adiourn-s some
for two year period-that before final
adjournment they delegate to the gov
ernors of their respective states the
power to suspend or modify restric-
tions contained in their labor laws
when such suspension or modification
should be requested by the Council OF
National Defense and that such sus-
pensions or notifications should be
made only for a specified period and no
longer than the duration Of the war
In the course of the meeting at which
these resolutions were passed it was
clearly stated and understood that the
hISCIiL VI IAiC IiSL ItSOIuilbll IcSdIdllG
possible emergencies requiring modif-
cations in existing standards was to
maintain existing standards The at
tention of the committee was directed
TO the fact, and it was generally un-
dersood for the basis of our action,
that workmen employed in the trans
portation systems and Industrial plants
~,
time out OF proportion to the increased
cost of living, and in that case a main,
tenance of the present status of labor
conditions obviously implied an AL
vance in wage scales.
In the discussion on this point which
followed in the committee considera-
ton was given to the circumstances in
which during the war organized Eng
lish miners were obliged TO demon
strate the necessity Of Il wage increase
the award being in their favor when
they had proved The considerable
changes that had taken place III the
cost of living. Plainly in similar cases
in this country higher wage scales
must be adopted. Therefore there was
IIJOIdICO III me ItSOiulibIiS li1H rec
Ommendation that proposed changes
should be made only after investiga-
tion and approval by the Council OF
National Defense, whose duty in this
respect should also be a vigorous main
tenance of safeguards OF the health
and welfare of workers.
The resolutions in question clearly
t,,l, .%,,s,. 4
the transportation systems, whose op-
erations are essential to the prosecu-
ton of the war. They are not Intended
to cover every petty labor difference in
the country though it is hoped that
patriotic regard will be had by all citi-
zens to the need of a possible maxi
mum of industrial peace everywhere.
1t is, of course. not expected that ne
gotiations or even strikes now on in
various occupations shall be wholly
suspended. irrespective of the merits
of the questions under discussion. On
such points each trade union is the
judge of the principles which should
prevail in its action.
The special attention of trade unions
Is cdlpu To the 1dcI lHdt the TeSOIu-
tions declare that legislatures should
uphold and public officers enforce ex-
listing labor and health laws and that
the notifications or standards author
lied in extraordinary emergencies by
the Council of National Defense should
be only for specified periods and in any
event not longer than the duration of
the war
With this statement it is felt that
each case of differences arising be
tween employers and employees, as
well as the trade agreement or other
matters now under discussion, may be
left to the common sense of men who
are willing and anxious to perform
their duty to their country in the pres
ent grave situation.
1t is hoped that the above will clarity
the misunderstanding which really oc-
Cured.
In this crisis in our nations history
every one will do his level best, not
only for service, but for united spirit
and action.
F~t' s-' - -ay~@s q