Arizona republican., 1919-05-21
President Wilson's Message

about by legislation so much as bv the common counsel and voluntary CO., operation of capitalist, manager and workman. Legislation can go only a very little way in commanding wha7 shall be done. The organization of industry is a matter of corporate and individual initiative and of practical business arrangement Those who really desire a new relationship be- tween capital and labor can readily find way to bring it about and per haps federal legislation can help more than state legislation could.
 Characterization Of industry
 The object of all reform in this es- sential matter must be genuine demo- cratization of industry based upon q full recognition Of the right of those who work, in whatever rank. 10 par- ticipate in some organic way in every decision which directly affects their welfare or the part they are to play in industry. Some positive legislation is practicable. The congress has al ready shown the way to one reform which should be world wide, by estab- fishing the eight-hour day in every field of labor over which it can exer- l else control. It has sought to find the ! way to prevent child labor and will.
 l nope and believe, presently find it. IL i has served the whole country by lead 1 ing the way in developeing the means ! or preserving and safeguarding life i and health in dangerous industries. 1t i can now help in the difficult task Of i giving a new form and spirit to indus 1 trial organization by co-ordinating the
 several agencies Of conciliation and
 adjustment which have been brought i into existence by the difficulties and
 mistaken policies of the present man 1 agement of industry and by setting up
 and developing new federal agencies
 of advice and information which may
 serve as a clearing house for the best l experiments an the best thought on this great matter upon which every 1 thinking man must be aware that the future development of society directly i depends.
 The League and Labor
 Agencies of international counsel 1 and suggestion are presently to be ere
 ated in connection with the league of
 nations in this very field. but it is na-
 tional action and the enlightened pol
 icy of individuals, corporations, and
 societies within each nation that must 1 bring about the actual reforms. The 1 members of the committees on labor
 in the two houses will hardly need
 suggestions from me as to what
 means they shall seek to make the
 federal government the agent of the
 whole nation in pointing out and, il
 need be, guiding the process of reor-
 ganiZation and reform. I am sure that
 it is not necessary for me to remind
 you that there is one immediate anC very practical question of labor that
 we should meet in the most libera spirit. We must see to it that our re
 turning soldiers are assisted in every
 practicable way to find the places fol
 which they are fitted in the daily worl
 of the country. This can be done bl
 developing and maintaining upon al
 adequate scale the admirable situation
 created by the department of labor fo
 placing men seeking work; and it cal
 also be done, in at least one very grea
 field, by creating new opportunities fo individual enterprise. The secretary o
 the interior has pointed out the wa, by which returning soldiers may b
 helped to find and take up land in th : hitherto undeveloped regions of t. country which the federal governmen has prepared or can readily prepare fo
 cultivation and for many of the cutove OI C6itCltd di Coo VI iiiCil ilG AiLulIi LII
 limits of the older states; and I one
 more take the liberty of recommend ing very urgently that his plans shal receive the immediate and substantia ! support of the congress.
 Commerce
 Peculiar and very stimulating condi ) tions await our commerce and indus trial enterprise in the immediate flu | ture. Unusual opportunities will pres ently present themselves to our mer | chants and producers in foreign mar , kets and large fields for profitable in vestment will be opened to our ire capital. But it is not only of that tha 3 1 am thinking; 1t is not chiefly of tha :. that am thinking. Many great indus } tries, prostrated by the war. wait to b $ rehabilitated in many parts of il 3 world, where what will be lacking 9 not brains or willing hands or organ r izing capacity or experienced skill, bI machinery and raw materials and cap ) tal 1 believe that our business mel e our merchants, our manufactures ] and our capitalists will have the visio l to see that prosperity in one part of tf
 world ministers to prosperity every
 where; that there is in a very tru = sense a solidarity of interest througI | out lHe WOTlu OI enterprise. ana tfs g our dealings with the countries tn; = have need of our products and oI V money will teach them to deem | s more than ever friends whose necess | ties we seek in the right way to serv = Our Shipping
 f Our new merchant ships, which haN t in some quarters been feared as dt t structive rivals, may prove helpful r
 vals, rather, and common servant ,, very much needed and very welcom t Our great shipyards, new and old. wi h be so opened to the use of the wor | that they will prove immensely SC