Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-05-20

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE IN FULL

tive and manifest only in a new or.
ganizatiOn Of industry. The genius Of
our business men and the sound praeti-
cal sense Of our workers can certainly
work such a partnership out when once
they realize exactly what it is that they
seek and sincerely adopt a common pur-
pose with regard to it.
Labor legislation lies, Of course, chief
ly with the states; but the new spirit
and method Of organization which must
be effected are not to be brought about
by legislation so much as by the com.
mon counsel and voluntary cooperation
of capitalists, managers and workers.
Legislation can 90 only very little
way in commanding what shall be done,
The organization of Industry is a matter
of corporate and individual initiative
and Of practical business arrangement.
Those who really desire new relation.
ship between capital and labor can read
lily find a way to bring it about; and
perhaps federal legislation can hold
more than state legislation could.
Democratization Need.
The object of all reform in this essen.
tial mstter must be the genuine demo.
eratization Of industry, based upon a
full recognition Of the right Of those
who work in whatever rank, to partiei-
pate in some organic way in every de-
eisiOn which directly affects their wei.
fare or the part they are to play in
industry. Some positive legislation is
practical. The congress has already
shown the way to one reform which
should be worldwide, by establishing
the eight-hour day as the standard day
in every field of labor over which it
can exercise control. 1t has sought to
find the way to prevent child labor,
and win, l hope and believe, presently
find it. has served the whole country
by leading the way in developing the
means of preserving and safeguarding
lifeand health in dangerous industries.
It can now help in the difficult task of
giving a new form and spirit to indus.
trial organization by co.ordnating the
several agencies of eOnciliation and ad-
iustment which have been brought into
existence by the difficulties Rnd mis-
taken policies Of the present manage
ment of industry and by setting up and
developing new federal agencies of ad.
vice and information which may serve
as a clearing house for the best expert.
ments and the best thought on this
great matter, upon which every think
ing man must be aware that the future
development Of society directly depends.
Agencies of international counsef ana
suggestion are presently to be created
in connection with the league of nations
in this very field; but it is national ac.
tion and the enlightened policy OF in.
dividuals, corporations and societies
within each nation that must bring
about the actual reforms. The members
Of 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 point.
ing out and, if need be, guiding the pro.
cess of organization and reform.
Work for SoiGsers
| am sure that II is not necessary for
me to remind you that there is ono i'm.
mediate and very practical question Of
labor that we should meet in the moa
liberal spirit. We must see to it that
our returning soldiers are assisted in ov.
cry practical way to find the places for
which they are fitted in the daily WORK
Of the country. This can be done by