Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08
LEGISLATION PROPOSED
BY ORGANIZED LABOR
CONTINUED from First Page.)

avoiding contests between capital and
labor.
"A case in point is now presented
by the industrial difficulties in west
ern Canada. AS I understand the
workers position there. they are
striking almost exclusively for just
one thing-for collective bargaining.
This phrase means nothing more than
that the parties concerned in an in
dustrial difference shall meet and dis
cuss the situation. There are some
employers in this country who are
refusing. even after the experience of
war. to have any relations with their
employees, except, possibly, as in
dividuals. in which condition the en-
ployes are absolutely at the mercy
of the arbitrary or autocratic within.
desire or opinion of the employer. The
account of the refusal of the lumber
operators to recognize the employees
or deal with them in any way.
This one point of fair treatment
and reasonable conference with the
employees would do more to promote
Industrial peace than any other mea-
sure"
War Labor Boards Service.
The War Labor Board is pointed
out by Mr.. Sterling as having been "of
enormous value in getting the en-
ployers and the employees together,
and promoting arbitration, providing
the parties couldn't settle their diff
culttes after conference"
Whether organized labor will favor
continuing the War Labor Board or
some similar organisation will be de-
legislation of the kind that is COM
pulsory will be asked. for labor lead
ers feel that would defeat the ends
sought. The conferences must be
voluntary, with equal representation
and equal authority.
On the immigration question the
attitude Of organized labor is that it
10 urgently necessary to prevent I'M
due competition at this time for jobs
Particular stress is laid upon the
necessity of finding work at living
wages for the returning soldiers and
them back into industry before the
relations between employer and en-
ploye are disturbed by outside in
Auences.
Labor is desirious in this connection
might irritate.
One Of the important and far-reach-
ing measures which will be included
In the labor program is the action
taken at last years convention with
fespect 10 eoucation by Speclnc
resolution the convention asked that
there should be instituted separate
government department of educa-
ton. with a separate official at its
head. 1t Is pointed out by Mr.. Ster-
ling. as spokesman for the A. F. of L.,
and voicing the legislative intent Of
the organization, that more than
eighty bureaus and divisions deal
with educational matters, and these
are scattered through various depart
ments. Organised labor contends that
these should be brought together, CO.
ordinated, unified and the system thus
made more effective.
Huge Sum for Education.
An appropriation Of 100000 for
the federal government to aid and en-
courage the states in promoting pub
lie education is asked for in this bill.
This measure is the outcome of last
years convention and doubtless will
be Reimbursed and emphasized, Mr..
Sterling says.
Organized labor is strongly in favor
Of vocational education and tho re-
turn to industry of men crippled by
accident. This bill-the Smith Bank
head bill-was favorably reported in
the Senate tho other day, and has pre-
viously been described in these COL
umns.
The stanchest support of organized
labor u behind tho Nolan three-dollar-
a-day minimum wage bill, on which
hearings have just been held by the
House labor committee.
Hearings were also started yester-
day on tho Kenyon housing measure,
with the legislative agents of the A.
p. of i. strongly urging prompt pas
sage. IN this regard organized labor
feels that every city and town should
be empowered to build to meet it's
own needs and that tho national gov
eminent should have a central bu-
reau to promote. encourage and aid
such . nationwide building program
by research and investieation-the
mead for such q building program
having been emphasized by the war
emergency, Mr.. Sterling says.
Strong for Lane Plan.
The Mondeli measure. now pending,
known a. the "soidier-settlement''
bill. will be Of value not only to the
soldiers. organized labor believes. but
will help to keep down unemployment,
which 10 the most dangerous feature
Of the Industrial situation. ut would
be extremely unfortunate If within
the next few years We should have be-
tween 5000. 900 and 1000. 900 workers
idle, as was the situation before the
war;" Mr.. Sterling points out.
Organised labor ia anxious to have
the federal employment service con-
tinued. expanded and made as efYieient
as human ability can make 1t. Some
workers have been imposed upon,
dupeA and fieeced by bad practices OF
private agencies. 1t 10 explained, 1t
10 to the interest and welfare of the
entire nation that every worker who
| wants a job should be shown the way
to get that Job. organized labor feels
and that the federal employment serv.