New-York tribune., 1918-12-06
Convention Looks
For Higher Ideals
Cooperation Instead of
Petty Quarerls Seen as
Basis for Reconstruction
Period
By Theodore NJ. knappen

ATLANTICC1TY, Dec. 5.--The "new
social order of which there is so
much talk these days, is coming in the
United States by the characterization
OF industry by an internal process of
evolution,if the views of the thousands
Of business men in attendance at the
reconstruction conference are faith
fully represented by the councillors of
the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States.
At to-days session OF that body the
views and programme put forth by the
employers of labor were such as would
have cause.-the expulsion of their au
thors from any employers anywhere in
America few years ago. Here were
no excited denunciations of organized
labor, no perfervid announcements
that business men would run their own
business as they saw fit. On the con-
trary, time and again was put forth
The idea that industry is partnership
Of labor and capital and that it must
henceforth be conducted through the
participation of both partners in its
councils
Industry Not for Profit Alone
Ihebroadening and beneficient influ-
ence Of the war were also to be seen
in the insistence on the theme that in
dustry is not for profits alone, but also
Tor service and that from now on all
business enterprises and plans must be
considered in the light of their effect
Oh the men and women who contribute
their efforts and their lives tothcm.
hesc business men who bear many
scars Of past conflicts with labor, some
q whom have driven to victory and
some Of whom have been beaten by
labor, agree that the relations of cap
ltal and labor need no longer be in the
nature Of a controversy but rather in
the nature of a cooperation.
They hold that the time has now
come when employers and employees
can dispose of their ancient quarrel
and bring in an age Of industrial peace
ny spontaneous effort and without the
aid or consent of government. In this
'iN'e OF the frequent use of the phrase
sell determination" business men are
reased to apply it to industry. They
'''ihS 'nat 1t Is in line with the natural
eSoiution of democracy for the demo-
sia'izatlon Of industry to proceed from
"''nln. They are opposed to a system
imposed from without by government
ano 'hey do not favor arbitration or
aoJudlcation OF industrial disputes by
any legally established body. Industry,
'hey contend, will work out its own
constitution and laws OF the industrial
democracy that is coming.
Democracy of Business
ne councillors voted to recommend
Vla' The Chamber of Commerce of the
0nlVed States should at once take up
with all its membership the subject of
i"auguratlng a general movement for
'0e introduction of the principle of
representative government into indus
wy IN the form of joint committees Of
employers and employees, locally, by
BUSINESS groups and generally. The
pf'hclpes which should underlie the
procedure Of these committees or ad-
!"s'ment boards were accepted as fol-
lows:
|. industrial enterprises should be
conducted with view to the great
'S' opportunity for all concerned
=. Regularity of employment must be
striven for.
). The right of workers to organize
to be admitted, and collective bar
gaming to be conceded.
4. Impartial agencies must be set up
TO interpret and apply agreements
"ilo to make prompt and authoritative
Nettlements Of difference
}. The right Of all workers to a min
mum living wage is declared.
b. High wages and national prosperity
80 hand in hand. Therefore, when
ever the volume Of business declines