The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-06-15

the principles which workers shall de-
mand as the basis for relationships.
I'VE are each day building labor's
house Of tomorrow. If that structure
is to endure the test it must be found
ed upon the bedrock principles of
equality and democracy in relations
between men:
Cooperation Is Sought.
THE present war is an extraordin-
airy opportunity to determine those
principles. This life and death strug-
gle between the nations of the world
is a laboratory which is disclosing the
strength or weakness of every social
relationship and institution. War is
forcing us back to the: essentials of
life. War is a fundamentally Cooper
alive action Of organic society. The
present war is on such a gigantic
scale that every part of national life
Is involved. The whole nation is in
the war. The spirit of war activity
and organization is essentially social.
The national organism IS at stake. AS
d war necessity we are seeking the
principles which will assure the most
efficient cooperation. This co-opera-
ton must come from the two prim-
airy forces OF, society-the possessors
| of creative labor power and control
lers of capital"
In behalf OF labor, offering this CO.
operation, the report renewed it's de-
c1aratlon that labor cannot be classed
as a comm dity, and demanded "equal
| right to representation and equal
J voice on all agencies determining mat
1ers affecting their interests and well
1are, whether in private or govern
ment employment.
Progress made towards this end
! through the shipping board and ord
| nance departments of the army" the
report says, Indicates ', hat must be-
come an accepted custom in all pro-
fuction." In some governmental as
poets OF war production. the report
asserted the representation has not
been accorded. It suggests that all
producing enterprises be equipped
with labor manager" as we'll as
: chief engineer and other executives
and said that there ought to be in
| charge Of all labor problems of pro-
cuction highpowered trained labor
! man.
! Laws Against Idleness.
In addition to its presentation of
abstract principles, much of the VOL
ume of the annual report was taken
up with recent history Of the Fedora
lions activities as they had to do
with the immense conversion of ma
rlOnal industrial Establishments to
! war service, particularly citing the in
slstence of it's officials for the main
*enance of the eight-hour day. Con-
siderable time was devoted to the
War-labor board creation land to rail-
road labor policies. It dealt likewise
at length upon the adoption by Vari-
GUS states, West Virginia, MARYLAND,
New Jersey, New York, Rhode island
and North Dakota, CT compulsory
labor laws and expressed anxiety that
the idleness banned by the laws should
rot include that resulting because of
differences between employers and
. their employees
Anticipating the spread of the leg
is]ation, the report defines the Fed
eration's position towards the policy
! as not hostile if due guarantee for
| the protection of the rights of work.
ers are incorporated in the war emer.
| gency measures"
| Labor turnover" the report at
| tackled as even less desirable for the
worker than for the employer, and
advocated as remedy it's labor man.
ager plan, involving, it is said, ''in-
! :elllgent and sympathetic understand
ing of the needs Of workers and what
constitutes fair dealing" It recon-
mended to. permanent industrial es-
ADJUSTMENTS regular conference be-
tween committees of employees and
the manageme MT to meet all problems
! and asserted that 1T is fundamental
for efficiency in production that the
essentials of team work be under
stood and followed by ALL"
Health Insurance Laws.
Discussing the question of work
mems compensation, the report noted
the development of favorable senti-
ment for the enactment of health in
surance laws" and declaring that the
condition, was similar to-, that caused
by accidents In industry, asserted that
the: organized labor movement of
America ought to formulate a pro-
gram; upon this subject" - : i
Dealing with the subject"of educa-
ton, the report classed the credit for
vocational educational progress as due
in part to the activities of the Fed
Grafton, and expressed opposition to
tendencies to ''overweigh" the ma
!ional vocational education board with
new duties. 1t also advocated the ex-
tension of part-time school systems,
! which would finish the education of
minors compelled to start early in
gaining their livelihood.
Porto Rican labor troubles were
given some attention, and the report,
citing charges brought by Mr.. Comp
ers against Governor wager of the
island because of the use of insular
police in breaking a strike on sugar
plantations asserted that the official
action had denied the right of free
! assemblage and discussion" and said