The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-04-12
LABOR AGREES TO NO-STKIKE PLAN;
CAPITAL AGREES TO NO LOCkOUTS
The National Secures An Agreement Between
Labor Capital to End All Controversies During the War
Labor Standards Not Changed and the sHour Day
Affirmed.

labor supply with view to its rap
id and effective distribution, per-
manent list of the number of skilled
and other workers available in diff
ferent parts of the nation shall be
kept on file by the Department of
Labor.
"In fixing wages, hours and con-
ditions of labor, regard should al
ways be had to the labor standards,
wage scales and other conditions
prevailing in the localities affected.
"The right of all workers, includ-
ing common laborers, to living
wage is hereby declared.
For Minimum Wages
ain fixing wages, minimum rates
of pay shall be established, which
will insure the subsistence of the
worker and his family in health and
| reasonable comfort"
The National War Labor Boards
functions and powers would be as
F., follows:
"To bring about settlement, by
mediation and conciliation, of every
controversy arising between employ
ers and workers in the field or pro-
duction necessary for the effective
conduct of the war.
"To do the same thing in similar
controversies in other fields of ma
tional activity, delays and obstruc-
tions in which may affect detriment-
ally such production.
"To provide such machinery by
direct appointment, or otherwise,
for selection of committees or boards
to sit in various parts of the coun-
try where controversies arise, to Sc
cure settlement by local mediation
and conciliation.
"To summon the parties to the
controversy for hearing and action
by the national board in case of
failure to secure settlement by local
mediation and conciliation.
eff the sincere and determined eff
fort of the national board shall fail
to bring about voluntary settle
ment, and the members of the board
shall be unable unanimously to agree
upon a decision, then and in that
case and only as last resort, an
umpire appointed shall hear and
finally decide the controversy. The
members of the board shall choose
the umpire by unanimous vote. Fail
ing such choice, the name of the
umpire shall be drawn by lot from
list of ten persons to be nominated
by the President of the United
States.
"The board shall meet in the city
of Washington.
No Mediation During Strikes
"The board shall refuse to take
cognizance of controversy between
employer and workers in any field
of industrial or other activity where
| there is by agreement or Federal
law a means of settlement which has
not been invoked.
"The action of the board may be
invoked in respect to controversies
within its jurisdiction by the Sec
retary of Labor, or by either side in
controversy, or it's duly authorized
representatives. The board, after
summary consideration, may refuse
further hearing if the case is not
of such character or Importance
to jutify it."
Both Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Walsh
gave out supplementary statements
on the work of the confreres. Mr..
Taft said:
81 am profoundly gratified that
the conference, appointed under the
direction of Secretary Wilson, has
reached an agreement upon the plan
for national labor board to main
tain maximum production by settling
obstructive controversies between
employers and workers. 1t certain
ly is not too much to say that it was
due to the self-restraint, tact and
earnest patriotic desire of the rep
resentatives of the employers and
the workers to reach a conclusion. |
can say this with due modesty, be-
cause | was not one of such rep
resentatives.
"Mr. Walsh and were selected as
representatives of the public. Per-
sonally, it was one of the pleasant
experiences of my life. 1t brought
me into contact with leaders of in
dustry and leaders of labor, and my
experience gives me very high re-
spect for both. am personally in
debted to all of the board, but es-