Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-05-22

blind alley. It is no thoroughfare to
real prosperity.
We must find another, leading in
another direction and to very diff
Eferent destination. It must lead not
merely to accommodation, but also to
genuine cooperation and partner
ship, based upon real community
of interest and participation in con-
troll.
There is now in fact real COM
lnunity of interest between capital
and labor, but it has never been made
evident in action. 1t can be made
operative and manifest only in new
organization of industry. The genius
OF our business men and the sound
practical sense Of our workers can
certainly work such partnership
out when once they realize exactly
what it Is that they seek, and sin
cerely adopt common purpose with
regard to- it.
Labor legislation lies, of course,
chiefly with the states; but the new
spirit and method or organization
which must be effected are not to be
brought about by legislation so much
as by the common counsel and vol
untary cooperation of capitalists,
managers and workmen. Legislation
can go only a very little way in com
manding what shall be- done.
The organization of industry is a
matter of corporate and individual
initiative and of practical bhsiness
arrangement. Those who really de-
sire a new relationship between CAPT
tai and labor can readily find n way
to bring it about; and perhaps fed
eral legislation can help more than
state legislation could
The object of all reform in this
essential matter must be the genuine
dempcratization cf industry, based
upon a full recognition of the right
of those who work, in whatever rank.
to participate in some organic way
in every decision which directly at
fects the welfare or the part they
are to play in industry. Some posi-
tive legislation is practicable.
The congress has already shown
the way to one reform which should
be worldwide, by establishing the
efghtshollEs day as the standard day
iisiil es assdd ts Y (which it
can exercise control 1t has sought
to- find the way to prevent child labor
and will, l hope and believe, pres.
emily find it. It has served the whole
country by leading the way in devel.
oping the means of preserving and
safeguarding life and health in dan
gerous industries.
ut can now help IN the difficult
task of giving a new form and spirit
to industrial organization by coordi-
mating the several agencies of concili-
alton and adjustment which have
been brought into existence by the
difficulties and mistaken policies of
the present managements of industry,
and ~by setting up and developing
new federal agencies of advice and
information which may serve as a
clearing house for the best expert
ments and the best thoughts on this
great matter, upon which every
thinking man must be aware that the
future development of society di.
rectly depends.
Agencies of~ international coun-
sci and suggestions are to be created
in connection with the league of ma
tions in this field; but the national ac-
tiOn and the enlightened policy of
individuals, corporations and societies
within each nation must bring about
actual reforms.
The committee on labor in the two
houses will hardly need suggestions
from me as to what means they shall
seek to make the federal government
the agent of the whole nation in
pointing out and. if need be, guiding
the process of reorganization and re-
form.
we must see to it that our re
turning soldiers are assisted in every
practical way to find the places for
which they are fitted in the daily
work of the country. This can be
done by developing and maintaining
upon an adequate scale the admirable
organization created by the depart
ment of labor for placing men seeking
work. The SECRETARY of the interior
has pointed out the way by which re-
turning soldiers may be helped to
find and take up land in hitherto un-
developed regions which the federal
government has prepared or can pre-
pare for cultivation and. also on many
of cut-Over or neglected areas in the
older states; and l recommend very
urgently that his plans receive the i'm
..ASuinIc anu suuSeahlldi supI'VIL w
the congress.
Unusual opportunities will pres
entity present themselves to- our mer-
chants and producers in foreign mar
kets and large fields for profitable in
vestment will be open to our free
capital. But it is not chiefly of that
that | am thinking. Many great in
dustries, prostrated by the war, wait
NO.. L. l. II ~ n
the world where what will be lack.
ing is machinery, raw material and
capital. / believe our business men
merchants manufacturers and capi.
talists will see that prosperity in one
part of the world ministers to pros
perity everywhere; that there is a sol
idarity of interest throughout the
world of enterprise. and that our deal
ings with countries that need our
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