Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08

AbOR Is the neart OF the dig
readjustment problems which
l. the United States is facing, and
FOR which Congress is planning
legislative safeguards or solutions.
The best-trained minds in the coun-
try are being bent. and the best prac-
teal advice from those who know the
intimate conditions is being concen-
trated on devising a program for labor
legislation that will promote indus
trial economy by removing or fore
stalling industrial unrest-by bring
ing labor and capital more nearly into
a partnership for developing general
prosperity and achieving national
commercial conquest.
This country is entering upon an
era of unprecedented commerce with
the entire world. but there will be
keen competition for the world mar
kets. and In that rivalry labor costs
must be an important factor. Much
has been said about tariff protection,
especially for war-born domestic in
dustries, but in the final analysis the
market prices for practically every
commodity are, in a large measure
determined by the cost of transpor-
tation, and that again is principally
a labor cost.
Plan to Reduce Strife.
Because the war has shown, as 1t
was never before realized. how mu-
tually dependent capital and labor
are-because leaders of both Of these
longtime antagonists are coming to
appreciate that the interests. the
rights, the welfare of both labor and
capital are closely interviewer and
that each must advance and profit.
through the advance and profit of the
other-sincere efforts are now being
made to protect the industrial and
commercial future by reducing the
possibilities of strife between labor
and capital.
The employer and the employe are
manifesting a willingness to be shown
the way to such an Industrial condi-
ton. and Congress is ambitious to
blaZon the way.
In fact, this duty was laid before
Congress by President Wilson as be-
ing "at the front Of all others"
Establishment Of a federal board
or commission. where capital and
labor, the employer and the employe
will have equal representation. for
amicable adjustment and settlement
Of all industrial disputes will be pro-
posed to Congress within week or
ten days as one way to solution OF
the problem.
Such q bill is now being drafted by
Representative J. M. c. Smith OF
Michigan, chairman Of the House
labor committee, who promises that
it will contain provisions whereby
either party to a labor dispute can
have all grievances considered with
out q resort to violence, strike, lock-
out or boycott. He believes that this
can be done without compulsion. The
bill will aim to provide the machinery
for capital and labor counseling to-
eether before the necessity for a
break" develops.
For Equal Representation.
This bill will be along the line Of
Industrial right of petition and the
compensation acts. Labor and CAPT.
tai will be equally represented and
both would have equal rights. Chair
man Smith is strong for having fire.
cuent conferences between employer
and employe, and he believes that by
placing readily at hand the machinery
for adjustment of all questions that
time and money and human energy
will not be wasted in industrial strife.
Somewhat similar thought comes
from Representative John I. Nolan of
California, who for twelve years has
been an officer of international labor
organizations. Mr.. Nolan is looked
to as the spokesman for labor in
Congress. He holds a union card. He
has been urged as the fitting man to
represent labor on the republican
steering committee. He first came to
Congress as a progressive and Theo-
dore Roosevelt always looked to him
as the one best qualified to speak for
labor. Other republican leaders, in
GLIDING Will Hays. chairman Of the
republican national committee, have
passed along the word that Nolan
should be consulted on all labor legis-
lation and labor policies.
Representative Nolan says: 'Tt is
safe to say that within very short
time the House will take action vital
king the Cancellation division OF the
Department Of Labor, so that 1T can
convene and offer its services in any
threatening disagreement between
the employer and the employe."
The labor committee in the House
and organized labor are to be busy
this week on drafting a working pro-
gram of labor legislation. Tomorrow
the annual convention Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor opens in At
Iantic City. There will be adopted
there a labor legislation program
which will be submitted to Congress.
The A. F. of L. convention will be in
session for two weeks. SO until after
that time it is impossible to say what
the series Of labor measures that are
to be considered by Congress may be.
In the meantime a program is being
considered by Chairman Smith Of the
House committee. Representative No
Ian and the other republican mem
bers most concerned about labor leg
islation which will be submitted to
the republican side of the House for
approval through the steering COM
mittee.