The Washington herald., 1919-10-10
HARMONY OF VIEWS
IN CONFERENCE NOT
IMPOSSIBLE STATUS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

| HiohC WotkiuB anu INiuB couoi~
tons" 10 meant the hiring ana dis
charge Of men. theirN wages. their
hours and conditions of service, and
the relations Of these wages and
conditions Of life. ~
To give labor the right to discuss
these things and have an equal voice
with capital tn deciding what these
things shall be. IL the realization Of
an Utopian dream. Yet 1t may fairly
well be expected to come out OF this
conference.
Rockefeller Springs Surprise.
The Rockefeller resolution. which
was introduced by the committee
representing the public yesterday
afternoon. was the surprise OF the
day. Not even labor's resolution
yesterday morning asking the steel
strikers to 60 back to work pending
arbitration OF the conference. was
SO important. For the Rookie feller
resolution implies the establishment
In America Of what is known as the
Whitley Councils. and the public
group stands for that
This morning labor introduced a
resolution standing for virtually the
same thing. The labor resolution de-
manded not only shop councils but
trades councils, national in their
scope, but the principle is the same.
and doubtless those who stand In the
public group for the Rockefeller reso-
luton would heartily welcome the ad-
dition Of the national trades councils
between labor and capital where
matters outside Of the shop Affect
ing the whole competing trade, and
also affecting international trade.
may be settled.
The labor group amplihed the ma
tional trades council. but the Rookie
teller resolution introduced by the
public group stressed the shop coun-
Gil. 1t must be understood that
both are needed to complete a ma ton
al plan for the participation of labor
In the management and profits of in
dustry. Each country works out its
own problems in its own way.
Shall Have American Soviet.
But when this national parliament
OF industry is completed. containing
representatives Of labor and capital
with equal power. and when the shop
council is- established upon the same
basis as set forth In the Rockefeller
resolution, we shall have exactly the
american expression OF the Soviet
The Soviet is nothing more than al
extra legal gathering OF workmen
and managers to settle Industrial
problems.
''Mr. Rockefeller, does your plan
imply that national trades unions
the American Federation OF Labor
, unions-are barred from the shop
councils which your resolution would
establish in American Industry
The writer asked Mr. Rockefeller
this question just after he had in
troduced his resolution. He hesitat-
ed a moment before speaking. Then
he said: Really. I suppose 1 should
not discuss this matter until IL Ia
; orought out on the floor of the con-
ference"
Form Does Not Matter.
: He paused a second. then added,
carefully: But you will see by the
language of the resolution that II
says specifically that Just what form
representation shall take in each in
dividual plant or corporation SO long
as 1t be a method which is effective
and Just. is a question TO be deter
mined by the pa rites concerned That
is as far as I should 60 at this time.
And 1 am sure that by calling at
tention TO that phrase I snail not be
guilty of discussing the resolution
out of time and out OF order, And
hope you will be sure that no d.
rect answer is made to your ques-
tion Just now: but. OF course, the
language OF the resolution is illu-
minating"
In the public group the opinion pre-
walls that the employees may choose
their own way In forming their coun-
ellis; that they can form their coun-
ellis with trade union representatives,
as one big union OF the shop or craft.
or by secret ballot without organiza-
ton. as they form them in the Har-
vester industry. Indeed. the very res
olution Of labor itself leaves the same
freedom of contract open to emplo yes
10 choose their representatives from
trade unions, shop unions, or as they
will There is virtually no differ
ence between the Rockefeller resolu-
tion and the plan demanded by labor
that cannot be quickly adjusted
Unions Gain Headway.
The employers group was not ready
to work yesterday. because in their
group are bankers. merchants. far
mers and employers, and they have to
refer things to different sections. But
they sat in the meetings and heard
the radical resolutions Of labor and
the equally radical resolutions of
those representing the public; and
these resolutions. which were not
many in number but significant in
force. cannot but have produced an
effect upon the employers.
They must see that two-thirds OF
the conference is anxious to institute
new order in industry. The old the
ory that a mans business is his own
business. that he will not permit la
Dor unions or anyone else" (this quo
tation is from Judge Gary last week
before the Senate committee) to run
their business. Is theory which shall
have to take its place beside the belief
that the world Is nat
This conference unQuestionably con-
itains a majority which believes that
a mans business belongs to the pub
lie and that ne Is trustee only and
holds his job only so long as he is
a good steward for labor, for the
public and for capital. This is revo-
lutionary and no court or legisla-
ture or executive can stop II. unless
our good friend the Sherman law
shall shake a game leg and get into
the game to stop this incendiary
fraternalism.
Can Make Only Coneessfon..
The tactics OF the employers sroun
In holding back their program until
the last would be good, even IL II
were tactics. and 1t would be justi-
| fed. For while laho- %, ...,.S -