Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-21

at home and amidst the interests
which naturally most affect. my
thought, because they are the in
terests Of our own people.
by the questions Of labor I do
not mean the question Of efficient
industrial production. the question of
how labor is to be obtained and
made effective in the great process
of sustaining populations and win
ming success amidst commercial and
industrial riva,ries. mean that
much greater and more vital ques-
ton: How are the men and women
who do the daily labor of the world
to obtain progressive improvement
in the conditions of their labor. to be
made happier and to be served bet
ter by the communities and the in
dustries which their labor sustains
ana advances? How are they to be
given their right advantage as citi-
zens and human beings4
I'VE cannot go any further in our
present direction. We have already
gone too far. We cannot live our right
life as q nation or achieve our proper
success as an Industrial community #
capital and labor are to continue to De
antagonistic instead of being partners:
if they are to continue to distrust one
another and contrive how they can get
the better Of one another. or what per-
haps amountes to the same thing. cal
culate by what form and degree Of CO.
ercion they can manage to extort on
the one hand work enough to make en-
terprise profitable, on the other justice
and fair treatment enough to make life
tolerable. That bad road has turned
out a blind alley. It Is no thorough
fare to real prosperity. We must find
another. leading in another. direction
and to a very different destination. It
must lead not merely to accommoda-
ton but :lso to a genuine cooperation
and partnership based upon a real COM
munity of interest and participation n
control.
There is now in fact a real commit
nifty of interest between capital and
labor. but it has never been made evil
dent in action. 1t can be made oper-
ative and NANTES. only in a new or
ganization Of industry. The genius Of
our business men anc the sound prac-
teal sense of our workers can certain
ly work out such a reality when once
they realize exactly what it is that they
seek and sin cerely adopt a common pu--
pose with regard to it.
THE labor legislation lies. Of course
chiefly with the states. but the new
spirit and method Of organiza ton which
must be effected are not to be brought
about by legislation so much as by the
common counsel and voluntary cooper
alton Of capitalist. manager and work.
man. Legislation can go only a very
little way in commanding what shall
be done. The organization of industry
IS matter o. corporate and individual
initiative and Of practical business ar
rangement. Those who really desire
new relationship between capital anu
labor can readily find a way to bring
1t abount; and perhaps federal les;sla-
ton can help more than state legisla-
ton could.
THE object Of all reform in this es-
sential matter must be the genuine
characterization Of industry, based upoa
full recognition of the right of these
rate IN some organic way in every de-
c'sion which directly affects their vel
1are or the part they are to play in in
dustry. Some positive legislation is
practicable. The Congress has already
shown the way to one reform which
should be worldwide by establishing
the eight-hour day as the standard day
IN every field of labor over which it can
exercise control. 1t has sought TO find
the way to prevent child labor and will.
hope and believe. presently find it. It
mas served the whole country by lead
ing the way in developing the means of
preserving and safeguarding life and
heath IN dangerous industries 1t can
now help in the difficult task Of giving
new form and spirit to industrial or
ganization h coordinatng the several
agencies Of Cancellation and adjustment
"hlch nave been brought into existence
ov the difficulties and mistaken policies
OF the present management of indus
try, and by getting I'D and deve,onne
new federal agencies of advice and in
formation which may serve as a clear
Ing house for the best experiments and
the best thought on this great matter
upon which every thinking man must no
aware that the future DEVELOPMENT If
society directly depends. Agencies Of
international council and suggestion arc
presently to be created in connection,
with the league of nations in this very
field: but it is national action and the
enlightened policy Of individuals. cor
porations and societies within each ma
ton that ust bring about the actual
reforms, The members Of the commit.
tees on labor in the two houses will
hardly need suggestions from me as 70
what means they shall seek to make
the federal government the agent of the
whole nation in pointing out and. II
need be. guiding the process Of reor-
ganization and reform.