Evening star., 1919-12-02
TEXT OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S
MESSAGE TO 66TH CONGRESS

ditions of labor. There can be no
settled conditions leading to in
creased production and reduction
in the cost of living if labor and
capital are to be antagonists in
stead of partners Sound thinking
and an honest desire to serve the
interests of the whole nation, as
distinguished from the interests of
a class, must be applied to the so
luton of this great and pressing
problem. The failure of other ma
tionS to consider this matter in a
vigorous way has produced bitter
ness and jealouSies and antag-
onisms. the food of radicalism. The
only way to keep men from agitat-
ing against grievances is to remove
the grievances. An unwillingness
even to discuss these matters pro-
duces only dissatisfaction and gives
comfort to the extreme elements
in our country which endeavor TO
stir up disturbances in order to
provoke governments to embark
upon a course Of retaliation and re-
repression. The remedy for these
things must not be negative in
character. 1t must be constructive.
1t must comprehend the general
interest. The real antidote for the
unrest which manifests itself is not
suppression, but a deep considera-
tion of the wrongs that beset our
national life and the application OF
a remedy.
Congress has already Sfhown its
willingness to deal with these in
dustrial 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 safeguard
ing lives and health in dangerous
industries. 1t must now help in the
difficult task of finding method
that will bring about a genuine
democratization of industry, based
upon the full recognition of the
right of those who work, in what
ever rank. to participate in some
organic way in every decision which
directly affects their welfare. 1t is
with this purpose in mind that l
called q conference to meet in
Washington on December l to con-
slider. these problems in all their
broad aspects, with the idea of
bringing about a better understand
ing between these two interests.
Put Own House In Order.
The great unrest throughout the
world. out of which has emerged
demand for an immediate con-
sideration of the difficulties be-
tween capital and labor. bids US
put our own house in order. Frank
ly. there can be no permanent and
lasting settlements between 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. The statesmen
gathered at Versailles recognized
the fact that world stability could
not be had by reVerting to indus
trial standards and conditions
against which the average work.
man of the world had revolted. 1t
is, therefore. the task of the states
men of this new day of change and
readjustment to recognize world
conditions and to seek to bring
about, through legislation. condi-
tions that will mean the ending
Of age-long antagonisms between
capital and labor, and that will
hopefully lead to the building up
of a comradeship which will result
not only in greater contentment
among the mass Of workmen. but
also bring about greater produc-
ton ana greater prosperity 10
business itself.
To analyze the particulars in the
demands of labor is to admit the
justice of their complaint in many
matters that lie at their basis. The
workman demands an adequate wage,
sufficient to permit him to live in
comfort, unhampered by the fear Of
poverty and want in his old age.
He demands the right to live and
the right to work amidst sanitary
surroundings, both in home and in
workshop, surroundings that develop
and do not retard his own health and
well-being: and the right to provide
for his children's wants in the mat
ter 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.
Way to Industrial Peace.
The Establishment of the principles
regarding labor laid down in the
covenant Of the league of nations
offers us the way to industrial peace
and conciliation. No other road lies
open to US. Not to pursue this one
is longer to invite enmities, bitter
ness and antagonisms which in the
end only lead to industrial and So
cial disaster. The unwilling work.
man is not profitable servant An
employe whose industrial life is
hedged about by hard and unjust
conditions, which he did not create
and over which he has no control.
lacks that fine spirit of enthusiasm
and volunteer effort which are the
necessary ingredients Of agreat pro-
ducing entity. Let US be frank about
this solemn matter.
The evidences of world wide unrest
which manifest themselves in vio-
lence throughout the world bid US
pause and consider the means to be
tagious thing before it saps the very
vitality of the nation itself Do we
gain strength by Withholding the
remedy? Or is it not the business of
statesmen to treat these manifesto
tions of unrest which meet US on
every hand as evidences of an eco
nomic disorder and to apply con-
sary. being sure that in the applica-
tion Of the remedy we touch not the
vital tissues of our industrial and
economic life? There can be no re-
cession Of the tide of unrest until
constructive instrumentalities are set
up to stem that tide.
Governments must recognize the
right VI IlcIl SOhSCtlSely 10 bargain
for humane objects that have at
their base the mutual protection and
welfare of those engaged in all In
dustries. Labor must not be longer
treated as commodity 1t must be
regarded as the activity Of human
beings. possessed of deep yearnlngs
and desires. The business man gives
his best thought to the repair and
replenishment Of his machinery, so
that it's usefulness will not be i'm