Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-24

Industrial Conference as originally i constituted brings up sharply the i question of whether the weeks of con troversy over one phase only of in dutsrial relations leaves the situation without a single gain. The employers group soberiy reviewing the work of the conference. discovers three definite gains:
 First, it has been demonstrated that failure is inevitab ble where pre- iminary organization of the elements composing such a conference is absent and where no preparation is made for the orderly presentation of a progra m which shall include all of the known factors upon which industrial relations are based.
 Second. collective bargaining an a cepted ana ues,i4 @..-4u ..---.-, indus try, has been brought more prominent ly before the country and will iniu- ence a sincere effort on the part of innumerable manufacturers to find all acceptable medium through which this collective relationship may be secured and maintained in the industrial es- ia bIishment.
 Third. collective bargaining as a policy or principle, cannot be safely used in the broad and general sense with which the public has been ac- customed to express it, but must be defined clearly as to it's applicability to the varying conditions of industry and the varying relations that exist
 
 CT.
 Fundamental to the whole question of collective bargaining is the reSpon- sibiiity of those who bargain, and this is directed quite much at the em- ployer at the wage earner the organization of which the wage earner is a member. Only where there is definite dual responsibility lived up to a scrupulously as is required in other contractual relations can collective
 l1r n IF n interpretation be successful.
 Then it must be remembered that the industrial life of the country in it's employment relations. divides defi- nitely along certain lines. No one will deny the right of the individual wage earner and his employer to negotiate terms of employment for industrial relations acceptable to both. but aside from this there is the dealing between the employer and his employees by dealing through a trade or labor un- ion, and all of these methods are ack- nowledged and practiced by employ CTS.
 Tt may be charged that the em- ployers' group in defeating the Com pers resolution, denied the right of or ganization and of collective bargain ing. But the conference learned defi- and collective bargaining are inter preted by the labor group in one way and one way only. organizing and bargaining through trade and labor any pronouncement on these two inn portant principles which would con- vey as the belief Of this conference such an interpretation.
 '-The purpose of the resolution through cunning phrases coined to carry double meaning was 10 commit the conference to support the only brand of collective bargaining ever of fcred by the group presenting it. and the employers were bound to resist to the end.
 .'The e<,ioyers group could not de- ny the right that it so freely and fully conceded in it's own substitute reso- lution which the conference defeated. and it stands Soday with the adjourn nnent of the conference upon the rec ord of it's substitute and it's interpre- tation confident that he sober judg- nent of the American people will come to understand that the position taken was in the defense of the open shop an American institution that l shall not be undermined and destroyed by any organized combination seeking i to threaten its life. Our social ana in- l dustrial fabric is not in danger. Elm ! blower and wage earner will live and i work together but the conference had d demonstrated that the right or the em- l blower to deny representation un- 1 worthily sought shall T ct be abridged: 1 nor shall the right of the wage earner l to place before his own 1 em ployer his needs and his aspirations and his interest in the establishment. | be abridged.
 eve aI~ leaving upon the record of the conference this declaration Of true principles and upon this l declaration the employers group and the employers of the nation will stand l in fair dealing with the wage earner | through the critical days of readjust- l ment just ahead ]