The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-02-25
Cooperation of Govern
ment, Industry and Labor
Proposed by Sec. Redfield
NO ABSOLUTE
FEDERAL CONTROL
A Government Industrial Board is Gre
ated-Expected High Prices Cannot
Be Immediately Brought Down-Con-
ferences Begin Soon.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-Contend
ing that the unsettled conditions facing
American industry, as well as the prob
lem of supplying work for soldiers and
sailors who have been or are soon to be
released from military and naval duty,
demand the immediate attention of the
government, William G.. Redtield, secre
tary of commerce, has presented 4
proposal for a cooperative movement
to which the government, capital, and
labor shall be parties, which he feels
win aid in the sterilization of prices
and the relief of distress which faces
many employers and employees as re-
suit of the sudden termination of the
war
The program which Mr.. Redtield puts
forward has been brought TO the atten-
ton of President Wilson and has re-
ceived his full approval 1t does not
call for the exercise of mandatory price
fixing power upon either raw or fin
ished materials by the government, but
locks forward TO the extension Of gov
eminent influence in connection with
price fixing in 50 far as q price agreed
upon voluntarily by government and
industry may he made 10 affect the
market through the government s .pur-
chases for its own needs. The pubhca-
/ tion Of fair price lists as, Il guide TO
| purchasers may be decided upon.
! The theory of this proposal, il is I'M
derstood, is that prices of raw materials
and later of the finished products which
reach the consumer will be brought
down from the inflated wartime values
to something more like q normal level,
and that in the course Of such read
justment all interests, includinr CAPT
tai and labor, will be protected from a
crash in values which would involve
widespread suffering and discomfort
among the ~orkingmen and the closing
OF many industries.
I'm substance, says the official
announcement, we propose to bring
capital, labor, and the governments into
common counsel together around one
table and with one purpose---to do the
best possible for the country.
That the program, which was made
public for Mr.. Redfield Icy the, council
which will cooperate in carrying out
4 the principles with the department OF
commerce, does not recommend tht,t
) heavy inorads be made at once upon
the ray envelopes of the workers is Sn
Dictated in the closing paragraph of this
statement. 1t reads:
Industry and labor have q mutua
interest in femedying present eondi
I a. -..Il
step by the reduction Of prices and corn
modities and should require cf labor a
: little as possible
The announcement shows that tht
governments participation in the move
men is 10 be vested primarily in wha
/ ~ tote known as 1.-THE Industria
Beard of the Department of Com
meree," to, the craftsmanship of which
Mr. Redfeld already has appointed
George y. Peck oil Moline, H., formerl,
vice chairman OF the now extinct Wa
Industries board, who also was head O
its raw material division. Hugh Frayn
r who has, represented labor on the Wa
Industries board and engaged in .vari
Gus other government activities con
corning conditions of labor and wages
}, is to be member. Thomas C. Powell
director of capital expenditures of tn
railroad administration, the announce
ment states, base been selected by MI
i Redheld - g official representative
on the new board
{ There are TO be in all six member:
and the full personnel viii be announce
4 as soon as acceptances have been re
celved from other men who have bee
approached by Secretary Redfield TIL
first step in the campaign. to STABILIZE
prices will then be to call conference
with leading representatives. of the il
dustries producing basic materials, i
Is order to obtain their views Mr.. Rec
k field has suggested that producers c
construction materials, such as irol
y steel, lumber, textiles, cement, cope
and brick shall be among the first sun
= moned to Washington. e
I 1t is emphasized by the hackers {
the movement that the effort will be 4
restore the situation where q suppl
and demand shall control prices an
conditions in industries, rather than
y eliminate that quality from consider
tion. In this connection it is pointt
y out that the board viii not attempt
II enforce upon others whatthe govern
= nsett may deensa fair price, and tn;
=. either producer or consumer may sell
40 buy, as the case may be, at higher
\ lower level, If market is found ava
as aide
ou But it is the theory of the hackers
Oh the movement, nevertheless, that Il
decisions of the government in makil
III its own purchases will largely affe
nd the market in other directions, as L
.e- government is large operator in MAJ
rs of the more important raw materia
les In a few words, the theory is that t
p government decisions will guide al
stabilize, if they do not completely 60
a troll, especially if industry, labor, al
or the consuming public are kept fully q
II quainted with the prices which the 20
" ernment, upon the advice of II / ex1er
an believes To be fair.
,or 1t is admittedly problcmatieal h'
the welfare of the small, domestic CO