The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1919-07-11
BELIEVES WILSON
LABOR ARBIIER
Should Appoint President
Head Of Workers
Conference.
! nxFr..k pilnet.

An industrial parliament composed
of REPRESENTATIVES Of capital and Ia
Dor. to lay, down Fundamental prin-
ciples upon which employers and en-
ployes can solve the grave problems
that confront America today. seems
to me. as an eEnrlishman somewhat
familiar with Industrial conditions in
Britain and how British labor and
capital solved tho problem of get-to-
gether. TO be the obvious answer to
the suggestion of President Wilson
in his message TO Congress calling
attention to the Necessity for cooper
alton on the Industrial field.
Judging from what has happened
in Britain. the danger Of the situation
there. and the efficacy with which il
has been met, IL seems 10 me that
nothing but good can result from such
a gathering as Mr. Basil NJ. Manly.
joint chairman of the War Labor
Board. has already suggested.
America, in less imminent danger
from dissa tisfiej labor than warren
feebied Europe. nevertheless faces flu
ture difficulties in regard 20 its wora-
ers even wider and deeper. There will
be no complacency nor stoi;i endur-
ance here for what is felt to be in
dustrial injustice. But it Is not only
to avert internal difficulty that
America should confront the. situa-
ton. This country Is to :je the supply
depot for world Impoverished by
war. There must be not n iiminu.ion
but ancincrease OF efficiency among all
classes Of the people. Content ment
and prosperity are necessary. MLre-
over, the United States should stand
in the forefront as a model for all ma
tons in the equitable settlement of
difficulties between employers and
employed.
What is the meeting point between
capitalists and workers? That is solng
to be the big question for this country
now that war Is over. n is rot Il
matter that permits of half measures.
I Wilson should Guide.
The obvious initial action, I think.
should be in the direction recently
taken by Britain-the calling together
Of representatives of capital and labor
with the bead OF the American gov
eminent presiding. guiding their de-
liberations. In my opinion President
WILSON should preside in person over
such a conference in Washington i'm
n1ediately on his return from Europe.
There liz no time for delay.
In Britain a war-worn people. ha-
raised by high prices, short OF food,
deprived of most of the little comforts
Of life. became not only FESTIVE but
rebellious. Strikes broke out not only
in one industry or in one place. but
in different occupations and in prac-
tically all parts OF the country.
Fortunately there was al the head
-
son vi the prime minister, Mr. LLOYD
George. He graspcd the mettle with
both hands. He called n national con-
ference of employers and employed.
The meeting came together IN Lon
DON hundreds of employers and han
dreds of workers delegates from all
parts of the country. II was 4 drama
tic gathering and began with 4 hos
tile challenging speech from Mr..
Brownie. the secretary of ire engi-
neerS.
I'VE are not going back to tie Old
social conditions" he cried fierce'v
The spirit in which the primo minis
ter sat and listened can be judged
from the fact that when MIR. Clynes
labor leader. asked for fair pay for
members OF the government before
judgment was pronounced upoc them.
and added: III you then find they
don't fulfill their promises give them
notice to quit" Mr.. Lloyd George noG =
ded his head. Certainly" he said,
land they will deserve it,
Late in the meeting Mr.. Lloyd
George made a speech. fervid in tone,
on behalf of all the people of The
couptry.
Committee Named.
Out of the conference came a
committee of employers and work.
ers, men and women. to decide on
hours. wages, and conditions, on
unemployment and on the best
method of promoting cooperation
between labor and capital. When
the committee met Mr.. Lloyd
George presided over it and talked
with straight words to both sides.
The people are looking to you
to save the state and ! want you
to feel that you are here trustees
for the whole country for the mil
lions of working people. for the en-
ployers. and those whom you would
not classify strictly in either cate