New-York tribune., 1919-09-12
Civic Federation Seeks
Strike Cure for Nation

Chicago Association of Commerce; the
Rev. John Organ, Of the Catholic Uni
Yersity IF Washington; Sir Charles
Ross, of London; Emerson McMillin,
Patrick J. McNabb, vce-president OF
the National Association of Letter
Carriers; James Sullivan and A. Parker
Ncvin, members of committee which
investigated industrial conditions in
Europe, and Charles S. Barrett, presi-
dent of the National Farmers Union,
who presided.
When resolution expressing regret
over the death of John Mitchell, the
labor leader, was offered August Bel
mont said:
"ln all my experience in business and
civil affairs | never met more disin-
terested or admirable character than
Mr.. Mitchcll's"
Report Headway in Britain
Mr., Nevin and Mr.. Sullivan reported
that naturalization OF Industries was
making headway in Great Britain. They
predicted that labor in this country
would soon demand it here.
"The trouble in Great Britain, and
also in this country, is that we are suf-
fering from industrial neurasthenia,
said Mr.. Nevin. eve are on our nerves.
Being upset, we are not seeing stra ght
and not acting straight. 1t is due to
the war, and not until we get into
a complacent frame Of mind will we
be able to solve our problems"
Referring to the Boston strike he
said:
'If we are going to get out machine
guns and shoot down people in the
streets we will be going back to war
and will not get anywhere. What we
want is composurc to adjust condi-
tions."
He declared that the Boston police
were unjustified in raising at this time
the question of their right to affiliate
with the American Federation of
Labor.
Municipal ownership under the pres
ent form of city government was de-
scrbed by Mr.. McMllin as failure
"Politics is the enemy Of municipal
ownership he said. "The frequent
change of adm nistration makes it diff =
All Of the weaknesses incident to our
municipality owned plants can be rem
cdied. But how? Never under our
present form of city government"
Perkins Outlines Plan
Sharing Of profits between employer
and employe was urged by Mr. Per
klns as the basis for a read djustment
OF present differences between capital
and labor. Mr.. Perkins outlined his
plan thus:
"First-Every business has, first of
ali, to earn operating expenses, de-
probation and fair returns on honest
capitalization.
"Second-I believe that every busi-
ness should consider that the cornpen-
satlon paid employees is for the pur
pose OF earning a sum of money suf
hcicnt to pay the above vc-mentioneo
items.
"ThirdI believe that any profits
over and above such sum should, on
some percentage basis, be divided be-
tween the capital used in the busi-
ness and the employees engaged in the
business.
"Fourth~-I believe t'lat in neither
case should these profits be immedi-
ately withdrawn from the business; !;
that they should be left IN the busi-
ness for reasonable length Of time.
to protect and increase its financial
strength and safety. that in the case
OF capital its shares of these profits
should be carried to surplus, that N
the case of employees their share Of
these profits should be distriba,ed to
them in some form OF security rep
rcsentIng an interest in the business.
and that each .cmplcye should be re-
Cured to hold such security for rea-
sonable length Of time, say three to
five years.
"Fifth-I believe that the employ
crs share of these profits should be
allotted to them as nearly as possible
on the basis of the compensation they
receive. Up TO date this has proved
to be the best method"
Bonus systems. Mr.. Perkins said
did more harm than good He said
the giVlng o. bonuses caused employees
20 teel that 's.eir employers were max
ing vast suns Of money out OF which
= sop was tNrown to them to bribc
them into feeling kindly disposed or
10 ward Oft demand for higher pay.
"Looking at it from the viewpoint
of capital" said Mr.. Perkins. the
object to be accomplished through the
adoptlon. of profit sharing Is added in
terest IN the business on the part Of
employees, which in turn brings higher
efficiency. Looking at it from the
standpoint Of the employe, the object
to be accomplished is & fairer remu-
neratlon for services rendered. There
tore. any profit sharing plan that fails
70 accomplish both & these results
breaks down sooner or later.
In establishing profit sharing it is