The sun., 1919-09-16

effect until fun opportunity had been
| afforded for the correction OF prevailing
abnormal costs Of living and economic
conditions. He gives the details OF the
| plan as follows:
ITO give semi-legai and more binding
force to the industrial armistice agree
ment, a joint committee, representing
organised labor and organized Industry,
selected by the President from groups
attending the conference, should formu-
late the agreement POSSIBLY along the
| principal lines set forth In the war time
| agreement which was the basis for the
| creation Of the National War Labor
| Board) and cause the same TO be pre-
sented In Congress for enactment (pos-
slbly) in the form OF Joint resolution
| declaring such an agreement TO be in
the public interest and welfare.
"As two concrete suggestions for pro-
visions which might be incorporated in
the agreement: "a organized Industry
ought to agree not to. reduce wages
during the life of the Industrial armistice
and to a broad policy Of liberal treat
ment of wage earners as well as
blanket engagement voluntarily to sub
NIT all matters of difference, mlsunder-
standing or dispute to a medium OF arbi-
tration hereinafter provided for; go or
ganized labor ought to agree, during the
life of tho armistice, to policy OF non
interruption of production by piedging
a national truce against strikes and
general engagement voluntarily to sub
nit all matters of dispute to a medium
Of arbitration hereinafter provided for.
I'm order to provide the unacceptable
means of arbitration required for the
adjustment OF many important and nom
assignable rights of peaceful Industrial
disputes. II is further suggested that
organized labor and organized industry
respectively nominate and elect seven
members fourteen in all) of National
Industrial Adjustment Board and the
President OF the United states to appoint
one Cor not more than two) additional
member who must be acceptable to and
confirmed by a majority of the fourteen
members selected by labor and industry.
should Be Legal Board.
THE board ought to be legally
created (after selection) and vested by
act of Congress to serve until the Presi-
dent shall have declared the period or
readjustment at an end, with adequate
compensation provided by Federal ap-
preparation so as to make possible the
exclusive devotion of it's members to
its work, and have power (if necessary.
by amending the existing antitrust
laws) to enforce it's findings or decisions
on all matters, when once the contestants
have voluntarily accepted their offices. |
possibly through presentation Of evidence |
to Federal district attorneys for civil |
Cor even criminal) court action and |
penalty. charging attempted Tor actua) |
unlawful interruption or restraint OF |
production or transportation OF articles |
entering into or used for interstate COM |
merce. |
hot "a
agreement ought to contain strongly 1
worded provision pledglng employers to |
give their employees an honest and |
generous days pay, the workers in turn |
pledging themselves TO give an honest |
and generous days work, so that the |
processes and facilities of our Industrial |
production may be utilized to the fullest |
degree for the national benefit.
"As an additional provision by organ
lied industry. the agreement ought to |
contain the stated recognition or admls-
sion of the justice of labors claim that /
labor Is not n commodity.
"orgarized labor. on the other hand,
ought to agree to a provision retractins |
its public defiance OF the rights Of the |
courts to enjoin II and a direct refuta-
ton of the pernicioue theory or doctrine
that the less work a man does the
more work he provides for others to do
The outlined suggestion for a con-
crete and timely programme for the
consideration and action of the Indus
trial Conference" Mr.. Mason says, in
conclusion, "iS easily capable of sstis-
factory amendment or additional elabor-
alton. At any rate, 1t may AFFORD a
rather broad. but tangible basis for the |
guidance OF President Wilson as repre-
senting the viewpoint of vast majority
OF the 5000 members OF the National |
Association OF Manufacturers and give
some evidence of their sincere desire TO
cooperate In the worthy purpose involved.
"Of course, the success OF the proposed !
Industrial armistice, IL the conference
on october 6 should see At TO adopt II,
Is completely dependent upon Congress
considering and enacting only such legis-
lation is may be completely In harmony
with and promotive of the spirit and
purpose OF the agreement as well as
the able support and encouragement of
the Chief Executive"