The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-12-05

hkltdtllik hkhihst BEtSvanScS.As. W.AC .
move the grievances. An unwilling
ness even to discuss these matters pro
,duces only dissatisfaction and gives
to the extreme elements In our
country which endeav0r to stir up dis
turbances In order to provoke govern
ments to embark upon course of re-
taliation and repression. The. seed of
revolution is repression. The remedy
for these things must not be negative
in character. 1t must be constructive.
1t must comprehend the general inter-
est. The real antidote for the unrest
which manifests itself Is not suppress
sion but a deep consideration Of the
wrongs that beset our national life
and the application Of remedy.
Congress has already shown its
willingness to deal with these indus
trial wrongs by establishing the eight.
hour day as the standard in every field
Of labor. 1t has sought to find way
to prevent child labor. 1t has served
the whole country by leading the way
in developing the means of preserving.
and safeguarding lives and health in
dangerous industries. It must now
help in the difficult task Of finding
a method that will bring about a gen
uine characterization of industry, based
.1tpOn the full recognition Of, the right
of those who work, in whatever rank,
to participate in some organic way in
every decision which directly affects
their welfare. 1t Is with this purpose
in mind that I called conference to
meet in Washington on December to
consider these problems in all their
broad aspects, with the idea of bring
ing about a better understanding be-
tween these two interests. IN
The great unrest throughout the
world out of which has emerged de-
mand for an immediate consideration
of the difficulties between capital and
labor bids us put our own house in
order. Frankly, there can be no per.
manent, and lasting settlements be-
tween capital and labor which do not
recognize the fundamental concepts
for which labor has been struggling
through the years. The whole world
gave its recognition and Endorsement
to these fundamental purposes in the
league of nations.
To Speed Production.
The statesmen gathered at Yer
sailles recognized the fact that world
stability could not be had by revert
ing to industrial standards and condi-
tons against which the average work
man of the world had revolted. It is,
therefore, the task Of the statesmen of
this new day of change and readjust-
ment to recognize world conditions and
to seek to bring about through legis-
lation conditions that will mean the
ending of age-long antagOnisms be-
tween capital and labor anu that will
hopefully lead to the building up of
comradeshlp which Will result notsOnly
in greater cOntentment, among the
mass of wOrkmen, but also bring about
a greater production and greater
prosperity to business itself.
To analyze the particulars in the
demands of labor Is to admit the jus.
tice of their complaint in many mat
tiers that lie at their basis. The work
man demands an adequate wage, suf
ficient to permit him to live in com
fort, unhampered by the fear ofspoy-
erty and want in his old age.M He
demands the right to live and the right
to work amidst sanitary surroundings.
both in home and in workshop, sur
rOundngs that develop and do not re-
tard his own health and well being;
and the right to provide for his chill
dren's wants in the matter of health
and education. In other words, it is
his desire to make the conditions of
his life and the lives of those dear to
him tolerable and easy to bear.
The establishment of the principles
regarding labor laid down in the cove
nant of the league of nations offers
JUS the way to industrial peace and con-
ciliation. No other road lies open. to
us. Not to pursue this one is longer
to invite enmities,. bitterness and an
tagOnisms which in the. end only lead
to industrial and social disaster. The
unwilling workman is not a ofitable
servant. An emplcye whose industrial
life is hedged about by hard and un.
just conditions which he did not Gre
ate and over which he has no control.
lacks that fine spirit of enthusiasm
and volunteer effort which are the
necessary ingredients of great pro-
ducing entity.
tn ha continuad