Denver labor bulletin., 1918-08-10
TRAVAIL OF A NEW
FREEDOM BIRTH
INDUSTRIAL SKELETONS
ARE UNCOVERED.
Christening Experiences of War Neces-
sary to Make Us Search Out the
Master Facts of Life, Says
Samuel Gompers.

Samuel Gompers in the American
Federationist.)
Business as usual" is an impossi-
BILE idea. Every interest of every in
dividual in the warning nations is in
some degree affected by war condi-
tions. The business of the nation has
become of paramount importance.
That business is to make war, and to
make war in such a way that there
shall be less danger of future wars.
Success in that purpose depends upon
efficiency. Efficiency is conditioned by
material resources and ability to util-
ize those resources in the most effect
i've manner with all elements con-
| cerned working in the relations in
which they can best use their per-
sonal ability.
Organization for the business of
war becomes heir to many Of the evils
| and mistakes of organization for peace.
In time Of peace, when there was
present no actual menace of physical
danger, other things were thought
more important than the determine
tion of wisest plans and methods. Be-
cause it was possible to muddle thru
in some way and secure apparently
| satisfactory results, the nations bus
mess was more or less neglected for
the business of individuals. In pri-
vate business the guiding principle
has generally been individual profit.
Individual profit may mean national
| waste. Organization for war is de-
pendent primarily upon effective man.
agement, and brings out in startling
manner mistakes and stupidity of
peace times.
In order to organize for war we
have had to find out what was wrong
with the organizations of peace, and
have had to open many closet doors
concealing industrial skeletons. I'm
less we needlessly sacrifice the lives
of many soldiers and sailors and en-
danger the success of the whole war
thru failure in production, we shall
have to open many more doors and
disclose existing evils, and listen to
many voices long ignored telling the
story of industrial inhumanity.
The first outstanding problems were
control over food supplies and trans
portation. Legislation to eliminate
and to facilitate equitable distribution
| of supplies was early enacted by Con-
| gress.
Under existing practices transpor-
tation had become seriously con-
| gested. Antitrust legislation had pre-
vented railroads from pooling their
resources and combining roads into a
continental system. To secure some
measure Of protection against railroad
greed legislation prescribing these re-
strictions had been enacted. Time and
time again the attention Of the ma
tion's legislators had been called to
the necessity Of formulating a national
railroad policy that would enable the
country to secure the best service and
at the same time prevent exploita-
tion. Consideration of this difficult
problem had been deferred from time
to time until war necessity forced i'm
mediate action. Movement Of troops,
war supplies in addition to the needs
of the civil population make con-
tinental system an imperative neces-
sity. The President took over the rail-
roads and appointed a director gen.
eral.
The coal situation has also con-
victed federal legislators Of lack Of
vision and inactivity The fuel prob
lem would not be SO serious II provis-
ions had been made for utilizing nat
ural power found all over the country.
In the labor situation we find the
results Of stupidity in autocratic pow
er. As the labor problem has now
become largely national problem, an
essential element mas Deen emphasized
more clearly than ever before-that
all elements concerned have RESPONSE
bilitis.
When all parties concerned in the
problem attempt to deal with it in full
realization of their responsibility
more equitable solutions will be grad
ually worked out, but it must be al
ways remembered that this is a COM
mon problem in which both workers
and employers are concerned, and in
which both must have determining
voice. A satisfactory working adjust
ment can be reached only when rep
resentatives Of all parties sit around
the table to discuss their common
problems on terms Of equality.
The same principle which our ma
tions is fighting to establish in inter-
national relations must exist in in
dustrial relations at home. There
must be a basis Of justice for all
whether weak or strong.
| 1t may be that the Christening ex-
| perience of war were necessary to
make us heed these weaknesses in ma
tional organization and to make US
search out the master facts of life.
These are voices warning us against
achievements secured thru waste,