The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-21
a NEW ERA.

ling has been strikingly illustrated by series OF
/ conferences, held under the auspices of the In
formation and Education Service of the u. S. De
! partment Of Labor, at which representatives Oh
/ workmen, both organized and unorganized, have
llmet manufacturers from all parts of the country.
II These conferences have shown conclusively
Il that patriotism knows neither wealth nor sta
II tion The factory hand and the coal miner have
II shown spirit Of self-sacrifice not whit less
I|spiring than that of the man who has given up
his business. built up by the painstaking effort
i of score Of years, to the nation in olive
Idrab or by hard work in some highly technical
liposition, without pretense of compensation.
Il From this spirit of common sacrifice and of
mutual concession for the common good, bet
1 ter understanding has grown up between en-
\ ployer and employee that will, if maintained and
nurtured, build world after the war.
i Such names as Hurley, Vanderlip and Schwab
are as widely known in America today as those
| of Pershing and Sims. War has converted all
America into q great communal enterprise, as
the Department of Labor conferences have
brought out-the object of which enterprise is
the Ia items salvation from enemy destruction.
To accomplish this end, all the in 1ustries tEst
make the war go on to successful flush must
be conducted with the greatest efficie1cv pos
lsible. Workmen and owners are doing their
Ishare.
Efficiency in itself, in the sense of careful man.
lagement and economical business practice is not
sufficient in times like these A broader efficic-
encey is necessary, based on the spirit of service
Ito the nation; an enthusiasm animating worker
and employer alike.
On the whole as these gatherings representa-
tive of labor and capital have shown, this ideal
has been realized and naintained
The Department of Labor has found that when |
workmen and industrial managers are brought |
together to discuss production problems, both |
are disposed to be reasonable, and that reason
able men can almost always agree on some def
mite plan of action. The business have been
brought to realize what the workmen of America
are actually accomplishing, and to understand
that in good many of disagreement the
workman is absolutely in the right. That discov-
cry by the employers of America has in itself
been of vital important in the war program.
War, imperiling the very existence of the State,
has rallied the workmen to Liberty's defense It
has developed spontaneously spirit of rivalry {
that has led to thousands Of friendly competitions
in mines, in shipyards, and in munitions works. It
has been productive of the almost innumerabIeI
displays of the highest patriotism that have been
manifested in the daily toll of the American
aborer. "
Indi, idual workmen have shown patriotic de-
votion almost without example. In many places
men who have enlisted in the army voluntarily or
who have been summoned by the draft have made
put their insurance papers to the government.
In most places employers have given their best
to the nation. There have been instances of dis
agreement between workmen and factory owners
and these the government, through the Depart
nent of Labor, is eradicating best it can.
The employer does not realize as the workman
Ices now cost Of living mounts from day to day.
The employee is the less patriotic because
ne insists upon maintaining good living condi-
ions for his family; the who is satisfied
With his job and whose domestic affairs are not
worrying him give the most eff
ective service.
Most employers have shown very real appre-
iation Of their workmen's problems. Occasion
lily there is employer Of the old school, one
whose mind has not kept abreast of the times and
Who does not realize the great demands that was
1ade upon the family income. Such men, who
bought 3a day good pay before the war, can see
o reason why So is not good pay now, in spite
the fact that commodities have gone up in gen.
raj from go to rs per cent.
The war has been the means of spreading social
ducation to quarters where otherwise it might