The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-04-24
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CuRL
F0R LABOR ILLS SAYS
MR.. TAFT.
n, william u. Taft in the Philsdel
phia Ledger.


phgaAelphia. Sunday.--What does
the term industrial democracy as
xe hear il used in labor mean! IL Is
an expression that gives 70 many en-
p,oyerx who do not understand II
shiyrr. I, makes them think OF the
BolShcviki and their hopeless expert
urnts in taking over without compen-
sa;ion, the private industrial estso-
,.shnen,6 in Russia and running them
by decree Of the workmen engaged IN
them, with the former proprietor as
expert and fellow servant This Is an
entire misunderstanding Of the word
as IL has been used in conservative la
Dor circles in this country.
Industrial democracy means an or
ganization Of industrial plants IN
which the working men have tull iib-
ersy TO belong TO trade unions and fuli
liberty, whether union or non-union
men, TO select in their own way Their
represeniatie committees to deal with
their employer, and In which every or
der Of the employer in respect to WA
ges, hours, or other terms and condi-
,ions of employment shall not be made
until representative committees OF the
xorkmen 10 be affected shall have had
an opportunity to be heard and ex-
press their opinion on the proposed
order.
Resented by Some Employers.
II means system by which II piece
prices (that is, the compensation paid
according to amount of product put
out by working man in days
work., fix his pay, he shall have an
opportunity, through his own chosen
committee. TO discuss the fairness OF q
change in them. 1t does not mean
that workmen are TO be vested with
the power to determine for the EN-
ployer, without his agreement, what
the terms Of employment shall be. IL
still leaves il open TO both sides to
differ Us 10 those terms ald to WITH
hold assent, with the consequence OF
a strike or lockout which m9y follow.
II means that the workman shall
have his day in court, SO TO speak;
that he shall have an opportunity TO
be heard through his chosen represen-
tatiycs in respect 10 the terms which
the employer wishes to adopt, before
the employer fixes those terms.
This seems just and fair to anyone
70 whom il comes as case Of first
impression. Yet there is many an
employer who resents the introduc-
tion of such system He says
This is my business. | can run it as
choose. | can fix wages and hours
OF labor and all the conditions OF en-
ployment, and the men who do not
like it may withdraw from my employ
Why should | consult them? | know
how much can afford to pay.
know what kind Of product my EN-
ployes viii make in a certain num-
ber Of huors day. With such a
knowledge | am the one to fix what
the terms ought to be, and they can
accept or reject them, and If they re-
ject them, can leave my employ" This
is shortsighted view. 1t is a fair
instinct Of human nature that mat
ters affecting two parties should be
discussed between them before one at
tempts to settle it for both.
Mutual Social Obligation.
The constitution provides that no
man shall be deprived of life, liberty
or property without due process OF
law. That means that he shall have
his day in court. Now from legal
standpoint a workman is not deprived
Of life, liberty or property in an order
issued by his employer increasing his
hours Of labor or decreasing his wages
or changing to his detriment any part
Of the conditions under which he
works, because in the theory OF the
law he can thereupon accept or reject
them. Nevertheless in the imperfect
obligation to society Of both employ
ers and employees to carry on indus
try and other forms Of business ac-
tivity peaceably and for the ultimate
benefit Of the public there is forming
in the public mind code Of mutual
social obligation Of the one toward
the other.
Under this code the vital relations
between labor and capital ought not
to be changed until each side has a
full opportunity to discuss with the
other the fairness Of that change. This
n what collective bargaining means,
and this is what an industrial democ-
racy, properly limited. means.
Industrial Autocracy
Industrial autocracy is the opposite
Of industrial democracy II refers to
m attitude Of the employer in which
he recognizes no right Of the employees
TO be consulted in advance as to the