The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-30
Comprehensive Laws, Not TriA
bunaIs Needed.
Member First Industrial Com.
mission Criticises New Plan.
UNIONS ARE IN The MINORITY
Employers Know They Must Be
Friendly to Labor.
Declares Decreased Production
Caused by the Unions.

New York. Dec. S0.-Comprehen-
sive laws, rather than voluntary arbi-
tration. are necessary to absolutely
on the part of capital or labor" Judge
Elbert H. Gary, chairman of the
United States Steel corporation, de-
clared in n statement today.
Judge Gary plainly intimated he
was not entirely in accord with the
recommendations made yesterday by
President Wilson'S industrial confer
ence for settlement of disputes be-
tween capital and labor He was a
member of the previous group that
attempted to make recommendations
for solution of the Industrial prob
lens.
The steer rnagnate referred to the
present labor troubles as disputes be-
tween labor union leaders and man
ayers of business. He declared the
public must know that labor unions
have decreased production, added to
costs and raised the expense of living.
II venture the assertion that If the
public is disposed to absolutely pro-
tect every one against imposition on
the part of capital or labor it should
not depend upon voluntary arb1tra-
tien. but should establish and admin
lister laws which will have complete
jurisdiction over both groups of citi-
zens," he said.
1.-THE public could then rely upon
the continuance without interruption
OF the enforcement of law and order,
so that every individual or interest
shall be protected in freedom of action
or non-action, so long as there is no
opposition to the statutes in force.
Must Be Friendly.
''The employees and the body of the
employees clearly recognize that it is
for the pecuniary interest of both to
maintain peaceful and friendly rela-
tions.Sand every honest minded person
admits this will rebound tothe benefit
and comfort of the general public.
''At this time 1 think it essential
that the general public be given the
opportunity to clearly understand the
exact labor situation. In the United
States it is not so bad as it is made to
appear by some of the public speakers
and writer's, particularly those who are
not by experience or otherwise quail
fled to testify or to express opinions.
There have been instituted in the
past year a good many strikes and
there have been in places, disorder,
riot and injury to person and property.
These strikes did not represent an
tagonism between capital and labor,
so-called. In most, if not all, instances
they were precipitated by union labor
leaders acting on their own initiative.
The differences, disputes and contests
have been tween labor union leaders
and the managers of business.
Unions In Minority.
'In few, if any cases. has there
been any serious trouble between the
managers of industry and the en-
ployes generally, Nor any reasona BILE
claims on the part of the majority of
the employees for higher wages or more
favorable living conditions which were
not promptly and mutually adjusted.
In fact, for a long time the. employees
in this country have been receiving
larger compensation and better
working and living conditions than
ever before. The large majority of the
employees of this country, probably not
less than S5 per cent, are not members
Of labor unions and are satisfied with
their working conditions.
"If any have good reason for COM
plant, the employers, when informed,
must and will furnish a. prompt and
adequate remedy. do not wish at
this time to discuss the. merits or de-
merits of labor unions. The public
generally must know in the past they
have, in proportion to their influence,
decreased production, added to costs
and raised the expense of living"
Judge Gary in his only direct refer
ence to the industrial commissions
suggestions for a tribunal to arbitrate
disputes and twelve regional boards
to Investigate labor differences, said:
81 have little to say at present con-
cerning the plan for settlement of
labor disputes reported by President
Wilson's conference. 1 shall endeavor
to take time to go over it carefully
before reaching a final conclusion. 1t
is to be hoped that whatever organi-
5ation shall be agreed upon it will be
made up of competent, disinterested
and unprejudiced men who will secure
the confidence of the entire public
and that serious industrial disputes
may be avoided as the result"
Organized railway workers placed
themselves on record at a conference
last night as opposed to legislation de-
signed to prevent strikes of railway
employees and as favoring government
coptrol of the lines for at least two
years.
Third EIun,e Vote Orderad