New-York tribune., 1918-02-16
Capital and Labor
TO Outline Their
Relations in War

w NAN1lNGlON, Feb. lo.-Capital and
labor have named the five representa-
tives each was asked by the govern
mcnt to appoint to outline basis of
relations for the period of the war.
First sessions of their deliberations
probably viii be held next week. after
each side has named one other man to
represent the public, making a board
OF twelve.
Announcement of sthe names of
the men, who were chosen by the Ma
tlonal Council for Industrial Safety and
the American Federation Of Labor, is
being withheld until the acceptances of
several OF the men asked to serve have
been received The Department of La
Dor, winch suggested that general
policy be outlined in an effort to climi-
nate friction at time when ali en-
ergy should be centred on the success
ful prosecution Of the war, is endeav-
orlnee to expedite constitution of the
board IN the hope that unrest will be
allayed
Stories OF large profits and cxorbi-
tant salaries in war contracts have
caused an undercurrent of dissatisfac-
t'on IN the nations industrial life
winch officials regard with uneasiness.
AIlegatlons of disloyalty made against
workers by some employers have added
to the bad feeling. Department off.
Gals say many Of the charges were
unfoundcd.
Blame Living Conditions
That the large turnover of workers
at certain shipyards has been due
fn ;I>]
widely circulated story of l5O rivets
being the limit Of work, or less than
half the former amount. officials point
out, failed to mention that inefficient
management has left the men at some
places without tools or compressed air
to drive moro than that number
Fundamentals of the labor question
hours, wages, conditions and methods
OF settling grievances be dis
cussed by the new board in the hope
OF reaching an understanding in a gen
eral way which can be applied spe-
clally to the varying conditions in all
parts of the country.
Unofficial suggestions for conscrip-
ton of labor have not found response
IN government circles. according to we'll
informed officials. The power of the
government to compel man to work
for the national safety, just as much
as to compel another under the draft
law to fight for the country, is CON
ceded, provided always that the en-
forced work is for the government and
not for private capital The belief is
expressed in official quarters that the
18th Amendment of the Constitution
prohibiting involuntary servitude would
protect man against labor under
duress for company deriving profit
from the mans labor, but not against
work in government factory. where
the result made for the public good
and the national safety.
"It is unthinkable," Louis f. Post
Assistant Secretary of Labor, said to-
day, that a man should be forced To
work for the private gain of any othe,
person.
Suggestions of coercion of labor re
ceived official notice from the Depart
ment of Labor before Americas par
tlclpation in the war was many month:
old. Such suggestions were termed
I unfair, impracticable and unpatriotic'
in Secretary Wilson'S annual report
but he took into consideration the pos
slbllity that conscription might becom,
| necessary and announced the depart
ment's policy as follows:
ut would scem-that is. if worker
We're to be conscripted for industria
purposesEtha the working opportuni
ties to which they were assigned ough
TO be commandeered so as to max
such workers not coerced servants o
employers. but employees of the gov
ernment ITSELF