The sun., 1919-10-11
STEEL ISSUE HALTS
LABOR CONFERENCE


progress and brought the long adjourn
ment- When the conference convened
this morning the employers presented
their resolutions and principles. The
committee was asked for a report and
was unable to present one. In this sit
lation there was nothing for the con-
ference to do, because the only way any
matter can get before 1t u through the
committee.
Public Letters Barred.
In this situation Chairman Lane sug-
gested that he was receiving a host of
communications from organizations and
individuals for the conference. and had
no way Of presenting them. 1t was sug
gested that committee be appointed to
review and present those thought to be
worth while. President Gompers OBJ
5ected. declaring that he saw no reason
why an outsider should get matters be-
fore the conference when no delegate
could do 80 under the rules. Gavin Nc
Nab and John Spargo attacked this po-
sition. declaring that the conference
should take all the advice and assist
ance It could get. The debate was grow
ing lively when Secretary Wilson stepped
in and offered a resolution, providing
for the presentation OF the matters 30
submitted In triplicate for the various
groups for group action. This was ac-
cepted.
President Gompers then arose to make
Il plain that his course was not open
to any insinuations OF keeping out Of
touch with the people of the country.
This done, adjournment was proposed
until next Tuesday. because the general
committee had failed OF any agreements
and New York delegates wanted to get
home to register for the November cleo
tons.
Mr.. Gompers objected. He said there
was resolution before the committee
on which debate had been concluded be-
| fore its last adjournment, and tat the
committee should take action on the
subject and present It to the conference.
This suggestion was accepted. but after
An hours waiting the committee came
back and reported that 1t could not
agree and had no report. In this sit
| uation adjournment was taken.
steel Strike Not Debated.
No word was said in the conference
| with respect to the steel strike or the
matter that was holding up the COM
mittee. II was later developed, how
ever, that the steel strike resolution was
the bone of contention. the rock upon
which the committee was threatening to
| split.
| The resolutions presented by the en-
ployers to-day we're sweeping ones. and
II was declared by the National Indus
trial Conference Board. which framed
| them, that they were the first concerted
declaration by Industrial leaders of the
principles under which American indus
/ try can live and thrive. They follow:
Sound industrial development must
have as its foundation productive eff
cheney, and high productive efficiency re-
quires not only energy. loyalty and In
| telligence on the part of management
and men. but sincere cooperation In the
employment relation based upon mutual
confidence and sympathy.
f, "This Is true of all producing indus
tries, large and small; of the farming
| industry as well as the manufacturing.
While there are differences between the
different branches Of industry which call
for special application of the underlying
principles, these principles are the same
| in all.
without efficiency in production. that
| is to say, without large product eco
| nomically produced. there will be no
fund for the payment of adequate COM
pensation for labor. management and
capital, and the high cost Of living will
inevitably continue. Moreover. without
such efficiency 1t will be impossible for
| American industry successfully to COM
pete in foreign markets or with foreign
competition in this country. The larger
| and more effective the production the
greater will be the return to all engaged
in the industry and the lower the cost
of living.
| Cooperation Is Needed.
| 1.-THE requisite efficiency in produc-
ton cannot be secured unless there Is
| effective cooperation between employer
| and employee such as Is possible only
where with a full understanding of each
others point of view and management
and men meet upon a common ground
of principle and In a spirit of coopera-
ton based upon good understanding and
a recognition OF what is fair and right
between the two. Then only can there
be that harmony which will insure the
prosperity OF those engaged in industry
and of all the people.
with full recognition of the vital
| Importance Of these conditions, and with
due realisation Of the great response
bility resting upon management to Sc
cure their practical application in in
dustrial affairs. we submit the following
principles. which we regard as funda-
mentally sound in the interest OF in
ldustry, Of those employed or concerne@
in industry and of the people as whole.
"Production-The industrial organixa-
ton as q productive agency is an as
ISOLATION OF management capital and
labor voluntarily established for eco
nomic production through cooperative
erort. II is the function of management
TO coordinate and direct capital and
labor for the joint benefit Of all parties
concerned and in the interest Of the
consumer and of the community. No
employment relation can be satisfactory
or fulfil It's functions for the common
good which does not encourage and re-
qaire management and men to recognise
a Joint as well as an Individual obliga-
ton to improve and increase the guam
tity and quality OF production to as
great an extent as possible consistent
with the health and well being Of thu
workers.
There should be no intentional re.
striction OF productive effort or output
by either the employer or the employee
TO create an artificial scarcity Of the
product. or OF labor in order TO increase
prices or wages nor should there be any
waste of the productive capacity of In.
dustry through employment OF unneces.
sary labor or inefficient management.
cit is the duty Of management on the
farms and in industry and commerce as
far as possible to procure the capita
necessary for the increased production
required and of both management and
labor to cooperate TO promote the us<
of capital in the most efficient fashion.
The Productive Unit.
THE establishment of a productiv,
unit--In the recognition Of the coopera
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