Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-05-21

PINE BLUET. ARKANSAS to which I feel that l may and in- deed, must, even now direct your at- tention if in only general terms. In speaking of them shall, l dare say, be doing little more than speak your own thoughts. hope that l shall speak your own judgment also. The question which stands at the front of all others in every country amidst the present great awakening is the ques- tion of labor; and perhaps l can speak of it with as great advantage while engrossed in the consideration of interests which affect all countries alike as could at home and amidst the interests which naturally most affect my thought, because they are the interests of our own people,
 By the question of labor 1 do not mean the question of efficient indus trial production the question of how labor IS to be 0btaif, and made effect i've in the great process of sustaining populations and winning success amidst commercial and industrial ri- valries. 1 mean that much greater and more vital question, how are the men and women who do the daily labor of the world to obtain progressive inn provement in the conditions of their labor, to be made happier, and to be served better by the communities and the industries which their labor sus- tains and advances? How are they to be given their right advantage as citi- zens and human beings?
 Have Gone Too Far.
 We cannot go any further in our present direction. We have already gone too far. We cannot live our right life as nation or achieve our proper success as an industrial community if capital and labor are to continue to be antagonistic instead of being part ners; ii they are to continue to dis trust one another and contrive how they can get the better oi one anoth- CT; or, what perhaps amounts to the same thing, calculate by what form and degree of coercion they can man. age to extort on the one hand work enough to make enterprise profitable on the other justice and fair treat ment enough to make life tolerable. That bad road has turned out a blind alley. It is no thoroughfare to real prosperity. We must find another, leading in another direction and to a very different destination. It must lead not merely to accommodations but also to a genuine cooperation and partnership based upon a real com rnunitx of interest and participation in control.
 There, is now in fact real com munity of interest between capital and labor but it has never been made evident in action. It can be made op- erative and manifest only in new organization of industry. The genius of our business men and the sound practical sense of our workers can certainly work such partnership out when once they realize exactly what it, is that they seek and sincerely adopt common purpose with regard to it.
 Need Cooperation.
 Labor legislation lies, of course, chiefly with the states; but the new spirit and method of organization which must be effected are not to be brought about by legislation so much as by the common counsel and volun- tary cooperation of capitalist, mama ger, and workman. Legislation can go only very little way in commanding what shall be done. The organization of industry is matter of corporate and individual initiative and of prac- tica1 business arrangements. Those who really desire a new relationship between capital and labor can readily find a way to bring it about and perhaps federal legislation can help more than state legislation could.
 The object of all reform in this essential matter must be the genuine Characterization of industry, based up on full recognition of the right of those who work, in whatever rank, to participate in some organic way in every decision which directly affects their welfare or the part they are to play in industry. Some positive legis- Iation is practicable. The congress has already shown the way to one reform which should be worldwide, by es- tablishing the eight hour day as the standard day in every field of labor which 1t can exercise control. It has soughtStb find the way to prevent child labor, and will l hope and be- lieve, presently find it. It has served the whole country by leading the way in developing the means of pfeserv- ing and safeguarding life and health in dangerous industries.
 Can Aid Now.
 It can now help in the difficult task of giving 8 new form and spirit to industrial organizations by co-or- dinating the several agencies of enn ciliation and adjustment which have been brought into existence by the 1rs~r,r,rs-a~rsssprarsMrn 1rs