The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-21
PARTNERSHIP PRACTICABLE

' ltN or interest between cdplldl ana ldpoi. but it has never been made evident in action, It can be made operative and manifest only in new organization ot l industry The genius of our business men and the sound practical sense or our workers can certainly work such partnership out when once they realize exactly what it is that they seek and 1 sincerely adopt a common purpose wlth 1 regard to 1t.
 Labor legislation lies of course chiefly j with the states; but the new spirit and method of organization which must pc effected are not to be brought about oy legislation so much as by the common l counsel and voluntary cooperation or capitalist, manager and workman. Legis- lation can go only a very little way ir commanding what shall be done. Tne i organization of industry is a matter or corporate and individual initiative and 1 of practical business arrangement Those who really desire a new relationship be- tween capital and labor can readily find a way to bring it about, and nerhaps | federal legislation can help more than 1 state legislation could.
 'The object of all reform in this es- sential matter must be the genuine 1 Characterization of industry, based upon a full recognition of the right 1 of those who work, in whatever rank, to participate in some organic way in every decision which directly af- l fleets their welfare or the part they 1 are to play in industry.
 some positive legislation is practica- | ble The Congress has already shown l the way to one reform which should De world wide, hy establishing the elght- l hour day as the standard day in every 1 field of labor over which it can exercise | control It has sought to find the way l to prevent child labor, and will, | hope and believe, presently find it. It has served the whole country by leading the way into developing of the means of pre- serving and safeguarding life and healti | in dangerous industries. It can now heip | in the difficult task of giving new l form and spiritual conception of organi- | zation by co-ordinating the several agen. | cies of conciliaton and ajudication | which have been brought into existence 1 by the difficulties and mistaken policies l of the present management Of industry. 1 and by setting up and developing ne" l federal agencies of advice, and informa' 1 tion which may serve as clearing i house for the best experiments and the
 best thought on this great matter, upon | which every thinking man must be awart i that the future development of society directly depends. Agencies of interna- I tional council and suggestions are pres ently to be created in connection with l the league of nations in this very neid'
 but it is national action and the enlight' 1 ened policy of individuals, corporations | and societies within each nation that | must bring about the actual reforms. | The members of the committees on labor | ir the two houses will hardly need sug- l gestions from me as to what means they | shall seek to make the federal govern
 l ment the agent of the whole nation in
 l pointing out and if need be, guiding the | process of reorganization and reform.
 l MUST ASSIST SOLDIERS
 1 q am sure that it is not necessary 1 for me to remind you that there is 1 one immediate and very practical | question of labor that we should meet in the most liberal spirit. We must see to it that our returning soldiers ] are assisted in every practicable way
 to find the places for which they are
 fitted in the daily work of the coun- l try
 This can be done by developing and 1 maintaining upon an adequate scale the
 I admirable organization created by the