The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-11-03
BANK DISCUSSES
/ LABOR SITUATION
National City Says Bargain
ing" Is Not Word for Ac-
tons Of Strike Leaders.
HOW STRIKERS MAY WIN
Policies of Industrial Relations
Must Be Judged by Effect
on Public Good.
HOW STRIKERS MAY WIN

! Discussing what may prove to be the
Failure as an industrial panacea of col
fsctiye bargaining, that is IL the tactics
Of labor can be described as bargain
Ing" the National City Bank in a letter
issued recently declares that collective
bargaining with railroad brotherhoods or
leaders of mine labor has developed to
the point where bargaining Is not the
word for what occurs.
Declaring that all policies that have to
DO with Industrial relations must be
judged by their effects on the public well
fare, the bank says in part: "All poll
cies that have to do with Industrial re-
lations must be judged by their effects
upon the public welfare, and with the
coal strike In prospect 1t Is In order to
Judge whether all the weight of public
opinion should be given to promote the
complete unionization of industrys and
the establishment throughout Of collec-
tive bargaining under highly centralized
control.
at rs possible to not only agree to the
right of labor to organize and bargain
collectively but to the desirability of its
doing 30, in order that 1t may protect its
interests and be represented by leaders
Of it's own choosing, without wanting
TO see society entirely helpless in the
hands of these organizations. The coun-
try certainly does not wish to vest all
authority over the every day life of the
community In them
How Labor May Win It's Way.
''T'hey have great power now and their
etoutest champions must admit that II
Is not always used wisely. They will
be less likely to abuse It II they do moi
have everything their own way. The
best check upon power is the necessity
20 Justify its use. Organized labor can
win its way over all opposition by DEM
frustrating its service in industry, and
public sentiment should require It to
win it's way in this manner. 1t should
demonstrate that It has the intelligence
understanding of economic law, breadth
Of view, sobriety of judgment and con-
eideration for the public Interests that
properly belong with the vast power &c
which 1t aspires, before appealing tc
tho public for absolute control.
IF organized labor Is conceded tn,
right to tie up all the industry ant
commerce of the country at its own viii
our form of government will have beer
changed. Authority over the community
life will have passed from the regularly
elected representatives OF the people t.
the labor organizations. The publit
wants labor to have a fair show IL
struggles with capital, but not suprem,
power.
"Mr. Gompers Is quoted as saying
upon the pending bill proposing to for
bid strikes on the railroads. that h,
would not hesitate to enter Just strik,
despite such a law. This attitude Il
clearly a mistaken one because 1t Il
claiming supremacy over the Law
which Mr.. Gompers never would conced,
TO his antagonists. 1t is the first prin
ciple of organized society that every
body shall be equal before the law, ant
!, Chat no Individual shall put his persona
Judgment above the law. The overthrow
Of this principle would mean the de
struction of order and government. Tn,
rule of reason and of the ballot Dol
would be overthrow and society woul'
lapse back to the rule of force"
Retail Demand Keeps Up.
In recent review of the genera
situation the American Exchange Ma
tional said in part: There has been NJ
abatement In the demand for goods a
retail, and the general demand. boil
foreign and domestic. was reported sat
isfactory and growing. particularly II
the textile and leather markets. Tn
creased demand. though this activit,
was attributed largely to the fear of
shortage. Building In the country as
whole continued to expand. Chicago re
porting for September the largest build
ing permit figures in its history. Wa
paper and paint manufacturers ar
sharing In the general prosperity to a.
unprecedented extent, the former in
dustry reporting the best business 4
years.
Merchants. especially dealers in lux
uries. express uncertainty as to the re
suit of the thrift campaigns, and tn
efforts to solve some of our current prob
lems through reductions of consumI
tton. Mems clothiers are reported
have experienced a decrease in bushes
which they attribute to increasing price
and the expectation among men tina
prices will fall.
si"Resales at advances over mill price
continued and there were no indication
that 'profiteers who persisted in thei
speculations for q rise feared the effect
OF the drive against prices. Food
now considerably lower than at the be
ginning of the Governments attac
upon the high cost of living. but othe
prices show q tendency to rise. Thi
tendency Is most apparent In the mar
kets, where shortages of supplies ar
anticipated.
Improvement was general so far n
the prospects for sustained foreig
trade are concerned"