New-York tribune., 1919-12-29
Continued from pagc I

industries can only be promoted by the
deliberate organization Of that re-
iationship. Not only must the theory
that labor Is q commodity be aban-
doned, but the concept of leadership
must be substituted for that Of master
ship. New machinery of democratic
representation may be erected to suit
the conditions Of present industry and
restore measure of personal contact
and a sense of responsibility between
employer and employee. The more
recent development Of such machinery
with the cooperation of organized
labor is hopeful sign. But back of
any machinery must be the power
industry may be either an empty
phrase or living fact There is no
magic formula. 1t can be a fact only
if there is continuous and sincere
effort for mutual understanding and an
unfailing recognition that there is q
community of interest between en-
ployer and employee.
Seek to Prevent Breaks
"Pending the growth of better re-
lationships between employers and
employees, the practical approach to
the problem is to devise a method of
preventing or retarding conflicts by
providing machinery for the adjust
ment Of differences. The conference
a more effective series of tribunals for
the adjustment of disputes than at
present exists. To be successful such
tribunals must be so organized as to
operate promptly as we'll as impartially.
There must be full participation by
employers and employees. There must
be representation of the public to safe
guard the public interest. The ma
chinery should not be used to promote
unfairly the interests of organizations,
either of labor or of capital. The plain
fact is that the public has long been
uneasy about the power of great en-
ployers; it is becoming uneasy about
the power of great labor organzat tions.
The community must be assured against
domination by either. On the other
hand. there must be equal assurance
that such machinery will not be used
to discriminate against organizations
should be protected. The right of as
sociation on either side should not be
affected or denied as a result of the
erection of such tribunals.
"The plan which follows does not
propose to do away with the ultimate
right to strike, to discharge, or to
maintain the closed or the open shop.
1t is designed to bring about frank
meeting of the interested parties and
cool and calm consideration of the ques-
tions involved. in association with other
persons familiar with the industry.
"The plan is national in scope and
operation, yet it is decentralized. It
is different from anything in operation
elsewhere It is based upon American
experience and is designed to meet
American conditions. To facilitate dis
cussion, the plan submitted, while en-.
tirely tentative, is expressed in posi-
tive form and made definite as to most
details.
Scheme for Tribunal
al. Plan for Boards of Inquiry and
Adjustment-1. National Tribunal and
Regional Boards.-There shall be estab-
lished Il National Industrial Tribunal
and regional boards Of inquiry and ad-
justment.
"2. National Industrial Tribunal.-
The National Industrial Tribunal shall
have it's headquarters in Washington
and shall be composed of nine men,
bers chosen by the President and con-
frmed by the Senate. Three shall rep
resent the employers of the country
and shall be appointed upon nomina-
tion of the Secretary of Commerce.
Three shall represent employees and
shall be appointed upon nomination of
the Secretary of Labor. Three shall
be representatives of the public in
terest. Not more than five of the
members shall be of the same political
party.
The tribunal shall be. in general, a
board of appeal. Its determinations
on disputes coming to it upon an ap-
peal shall be by unanimous vote. In
case it is unable to reach determina-
tion, it shall make and publish ma
jority and minority reports which shall
be matters of public record.
"9. Industrial Regions.-Ths Ur"ea