New-York tribune., 1918-12-06

esq degree of economy and efHc;ency
VIII tend to stabilize prosperity ana
II adhered to, will eventuallv vivo
american industry its rightful posiIlon
on supremacy in the trade and com
merce OF the world"
IN the report that preceded tho reso-
."V''n '"e committee stated. referring
W Synu'oansts and other radicals:
1T would be a sorry object lesson
Tor young democracies. and a potent
Md TO autocrat!c reactionism abroad. if
.ne spectacle were presented to the
world OF the oldest and greatest democ-
i"cy IN existence, itself racked and
conVulsed over the disputes of those
Whose permanent interests. if only
Clearly recognized. should be thorough
~ tied up with those deliberate and
orderly methods of settlement for
Which democracy stands. And it would
be an added incentive to the progress
OF red-handed and inccndinry class
struggle abroad if we here were to
allow the settlement of trade disputes
to be annexed by those disorderly and
revolutionary minorities, more signf-
can't by reason of their noisness than
by their size.
Advocate Democratic Methods
"lf there is anything that the appli-
cation of American principles to poll
tics has proved most conclusivcly it is
that the characteristic process of de-
cate, discussion and compromise in
volved in democratic methods of gov
ernment has adjusted the disputes
arising from the diversities of interest
between classes in manner which is
orderly, reasonable, Just and, in tho
end, satisfactory to the disputants y
remains to apply this democratic
methods to the adjustment of industrial
ditferences-to disputes between the
three essential factors Of industrial
production-to the end that the econ
omles and efficiency of cooperation,
the one process in which the interests
Of all three partners are alike, shall
not be interferred with.
Wage "arncrs class must be
given an opportunity to count as men
and women in the vital management Of
their industries in whatever position
they may be qualified TO count. This
is the more necessary at this moment,
since SO many wage earncrs will he
returning from our active campaigns
against the enemy, where men have
counted as never before in the history
of warfare. These men will not be
content to relapse to g position where
they are only number on a time sheet
or . payroll. Nor is it right or just
that they should DC asked to do So
10 Check Contract Claims
E. VI. Outerbridge. chairman of the
chambers committee OF. foreign trade
and shipping after the war, presented
a resolution, which was adopted. call
/ ing on Congress to enact legislation
without loss of time by which regional
boards of examiners, composed OF
. prominent business men, may be ap-
pointed ty the President to investi-
gate and pass on cancelled contract
claims against the government.
In this way, declared Mr.. Outer
bridge in submitting the resolution, the
transition OF industry back to q peace
basis would be greatly accelerated with
very little hardship, and "the scandal
Gus delays that followed the presenta-
ton OF claims after the Civil WAY
will be avoided.
Legislation is necessary before this
can be accomplished. Mr. Outerbridge
Informed the members OF the chamber
The committee on internal trade and
! improvements, OF which Samuel w
! Fairchild is chairman, reported that il
had found that after sixteen years OF
I construction work and the expenditure
Of S155 coo 600 the project for trans
forming the Erie Canal into modern
barge canal is threatened with Failure
to attain reasonable usefulness owing
tc 4 lack of terminals and shallow
V ater in many Places The chamber
adopted a resolution urging the au-
thorities to hasten the completion OF
tciminalsz and the necessary dredging
A memorial IS the late Maior Will
ard Straight member Of the cham
bcr who died few days ago III France
Nyas adopted. 1t referred TO him as "a
true soldier to the great cause OF de-
nocracy ard humanity"