The diamond drill., 1918-04-06

new situation In a new spirit. The
first definite proposal for economic re-
construction with the authority OF the
government was the setting up OF
Joint industrial councils for all the
great industries. in which representa-
tIyes OF the workmen Will meet repre-
sentatives OF the employers on equal
terms for the settlement OF all mat
ters connected with the conduct OF the
industry. This plan SO far has been
carried out with real goodwill by the
best OF the employers and the best OF
the leaders OF labor.
"The Labor party's manifesto natur-
ally and rightly points out the full de-
mands OF labor in n reasonable way,
and represents the tendency toward
which the movement will be directed.
But beyond question there are in the
full program many features which
could not be carried out at once with
out at once dislocating industry. The
real problem, however. is that employ
ers must recognize the necessity OF
giving to the workmen larger share
OF the product OF the industry and a
greater share of control OF the man
agement OF the industry.
con the other hand. the employers
feel, and the best Of the workmen feel.
that this must be balanced by great
er output OF productive energy on the
part OF the workers. So far as / can
Judge the output per man seems to be
greater in most industries in America
than Il Is in England. We have been
hampered by trade union regulations
which have been made--in good faith.
TO be sure In the attempt TO obtain
higher wages, but which the best
workmen feel to be based on an i'm
perfect knowledge OF the facts of econ
omics. So the alteration of these reg
ulations Is also part OF the problem;
there must be larger share for labor
both in the reward and in the manage
ment OF industry. and there must be
larger productivity.
state socialism has been very much
discredited in the Labor party, but a
very large group feels that there must
be a greater control, and ultimately
full control OF each industry by the
workers in that industry; an increas-
ing share OF control by the workers
with brain and hand And that this
movement is sure to go far Is recog-
nized by those who In the past have
been the governing classes. 1t re-
mains to be seen how far this increas-
ing democratization OF industry and
these alterations in our national life
will be directed and influenced by the
conditions and the spirit OF those who
4 in tho past have controlled the affairs
4 OF the nation.
"One Of the greatest tragedies OF the
war has been the great loss Of young
men OF the old families, the old gov
erning class-men who embodied our
greatest promise, who were inspired
by our highest ideals OF national ser.
vice, were among the first to be killed
But the tradition they have left, thJ
example they have given, will remain
and will have profound effect in the
public schools and universities which
gave them TO the nation. And no
there alone. There has been a spiri
Of delightful and trustful comradesfiI
OF all classes in the war. 1t hal
brought all social groups together a
nothing else could have done.
but a very great deal depends o.
the decisiyeness of our victory in tn
war. II, after the sacrifices that hav
been made, the result is inconclusivC
Il will have profoundly depressin
effect upon the spirit IN which al
classes approach the future Such n
huAcoule Oh tue war Mpulu itAiut
more likely the outbreak OF bitterness.
Of party spirit Of class antagonism.
, patched-up peace would leave ever
body sore and querulous. disappointet
and with a strong tendency to mec
the new conditions in the spirit OF an
tagoism / which too often they m'
the old.
Everything depends on whethe
the moral impulse TO unity and sacr
Gee for the common good which tn
. war has given endures after the prel
ent occasion Is gone; and ! feel mos
strongly that to be really enduring tn
moral impulse must have a spiritus
foundation The church will have
greater opportunity than ever befor
/, OF presenting the spirit and ideals