The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-10
'CONSCRIPTION OF
LABOR SHOULD
NOT Be NEEDED Is
WILSON'S VIEWS
1t It Comes, Industries
Must Also be Conscript-
ed, Says Secretary
(By Associated Press.)


gress in his annual report today, Is
not likely to be necessary for the
winning of the war, but he suggests
that should ii become necessary for
the government to conscript labor, 1t
should at the same time conscrfpt the
industries on which they are engag-
ed.
almost insuperable obstacles
arise" says the secretary Of labor,
when labor disputes occur under
circumstances in which employers
permit organization by their work
men only on pain Of dismissal. Since
in such cases the workmen have no
responsible business representatives,
only one party to controversies can
be conveniently or satisfactorily
heard. In such cases, also, the work.
ers, being prevented by their en-
ployers from organizing on a bust
ness basis, tend to fall away from
the pacifying influence Of conserva-
tive, constructive and responsible
labor organizations and to come I'M
der that Of Irresponsible revolution
lists. AS most labor lawlessness is
traceable to this cause, responsibility
for it can not be wholly diverted
from the policy-hardly patriotic in
time of war-of arbitrarily obstruct-
ing labor organization Of the con-
sentative type"
Coereina Workers. ..-..
THE department is of course
aware of proposals, more popular
earlier in the war than now, to settle
labor disputes by coercing wage
earners. But these proposals are both
unfair and impracticable. They are
also widely regarded, and not with
out reason, as unpatriotic. 1t Is
enough to say of them here that in
the view Of this department public
sentiment can not be expected to
tolerate CONSUMPTION of labor for
private profit. Should industrial con-
scription become really necessary in
order effectively to prosecute the
war; a policy less likely to be con-
sidered one-sided would be desirable.
1t would seem-that Is, If workers
were to be conscripted for industrial
purposes-that the working opport-
unities to which they were assigned
ought to be Communicated. so as to
make such workers not coerced SER
wants Of employers but employees OF
the government itself.
There is, however, no reason for
apprehending a necessity for any
kind of labor CONSUMPTION in order to
settle or prevent disputes between
employers and their employees which
may interfere with vigorous prose-
cution Of the war. In every case in
which responsible representatives OF
disputing employers are willing to
negotiate considerably with respon-
sibIe representatives OF conservative
labor organizations which represent
their disputing employees in the
spirit in which they would negotiate
with business competitors. labor dis
putes can be settled speedily, effec-
lively, and without friction through
the mediation service Of the depart
ment of labor. BY simple and fair
systems of collective bargaining be-
tween the government, labor organi-
cations, and business organizations
all labor disputes prejudicial to an
effective prosecution Of the war can
be promptly eliminated from war
problems. Not only can this be done,
but it can be done to the satisfaction
Of all concerned and in harmony with
every patriotic purpose.
Need Self-saerifiee.
sour greatest need is the spirit Of
self sacrifice for the common good
a sacrifice of our pride, sacrifice of
our prejudices, sacrifice OF our suspi-
cions against each other, sacrifice Of
our material comforts, sacrifice of
our lives, IL need be-to carry on un-
impaired the democratic institutions
handed down to us by our fathers
The report makes an announce
ment Of the much discussed pay and
privileges being allowed to the in
termed German civilians in the camps
controlled by the department Of la
Dor. .t..... .
1T was agreed by the department
to remunerate those OF the interned
aliens who should perform labor Of
any kind in connection with the con-
struction or management Of the in
ternment camp at the rate OF $50
month";, those who served in the
capacity Of foremen, ETC.. to receive
$25 a month. The informed officers,
however, have been allowed to re-
ceive from any source only $40
month and the seamen SIS a month,
receipts in excess Of these amounts
being placed in the postal savings
banks to the credit of the interested
parties, or otherwise disposed Of as
desired. Purchases of clothing, etc,
can be made with the funds Of the in
termed aliens, under the direction OF
the inspector in charge Of the intern
nent station" ,r
The departments work in mediat-
ing in wage disputes. enormously in
creased by war activities, has af-
fected practically a million men and
has been eminently successful,
Numerous Labor Disputes.
THE number of labor disputes cali
ing for government mediation in
creased suddenly and enormously
with the beginning Of the war; says
the report.
''In a large number OF instances
the conciliators have been able not
only to bring about agreement in
cases Of existing differences-oft
arising from Observation-Disclosures
but to avert the threatened strike
altogether
1.-THE success which has attended
the departments representatives in
the great majority Of disputes has
been most gratifying. In many in-
stances through the efforts OF the de-
partment strikes which would have
involved thousands OF workers en-
gagged I'm great operations were
quietly averted and Industrial peace
maintained All this was accomplish
ed without publicity and the conse-
quent excitement which invariably
attends industrial disturbances when
heralded In the press. Great plants
thus secured uninterrupted produce
ton for stated periods-som Of the