The Washington times., 1919-12-29
LABOR COURTS
UP TO PUBLIC
Industrial Commission Invites
Criticism of Its Plan to
End Strikes.

With their tentative plan of strike
courts to insure industrial peace
placed before the country, members
Of Presidents Wilson's Industrial
Commission today invited criticisms
and suggestions OF their work.
The invitation virtually constitutes
a request that the entire country re-
solve itself into an Industrial COM
mission and turn its mind to the
problem of ending for all time the
strike problem in the American In
tustrial world.
Next Meeting January 1s.
When the commission reassembles
here January IL to put its report into
nnal form, II expects to have hun
dreds of suggestions from capital. Ia
Dor. and the public. It also will
have reports of other Investigations
now being made for it
How much longer the commission
viii continue work is not certain. but
members say they are determined to
stay IN session until they have
brought about results they are seek
ing.
Three Propositions.
President Wilson has had much of
The tentative report read to him by
drs. Wilson, II was learned today. 1t
divides roughly into three parts.
First the commission declares that
the nnal solution of the nations in
dustrfal problem depends on the es-
tablishment of a thorough under
standing and a closer relationship be-
tween capital and labor.
Second, the commission. pending the
growth of this relationship. proposes
machinery to stop Industrial conflicts.
This machinery would consist of
national tribunal of nine members
and twelve regional tribunals with
broad powers of adjustment and in
Quiry into strikes
Third, the Nc>mmission Considers
that In the railroad industry there
should be some merging Of RESPONSE
btlity for regulation of rates and
wages- The railroads are left with
this bare suggestion for future con-
sideration-
Collective Bargaining.
The principal of collective bargain
ing. on which the nrst Industrial Con-
ference split, is recognized BY the In
dustrial Commis ssion.
Introducing its report the commits
sion says:
'>Our modern Industrial organixa-
ten. IL IL 70 not to become . failure,
must yield to the individual q larger
satisfaction with life.
Tho right relationship" the report
continues, "between employer and en-
ploys In large Industries can only be
promoted BY the deliberate organize
tfon OF that relationship. Not only
modify be abandoned, but the concept
Of leadership must be substituted for
that Of mastership."
With the declaration that the pub
lie 10 becoming uneasy at the Pow er
Of great employers and employees, the
commission outlines in detail its ten
tatfve plan for strike courts.
AT the top would be = national in
dustrial tribunal Of nine members,
three from labor. three from the en-
pIoyers and three from the public
the same political party. This tribu-
nal would be q court Of appeal.
There would also be organized
twelve Industrial regions one for
Zach Of the Federal reserve districts.
A chairman would be appointed for
each of these regions with vice chair
men If necessary.
Panels To he Published
Panels OF employees and employers
for each region would be prepared
by the Secretaries of Commerce and
Labor, published. and twenty days
after publication submitted to the
PRESIDENT Order of names on the
panels would be determined by lot
wheT q dispute arose. the regiona Il
board on its own initiative, or at the
request of the national tribunal, the
Secretary Of Labor or the parties
concerned would call upon each side to
choose q representative. After choice
OF representatives two would be
chosen from the panel Of employers
end employees. these with the regional
chairman would constitute a regional
board for adjustment OF the strike.
\ decision by this board would have
the force Of q trade agreement and
be binding on both parties. In case
of failure to reach a unanimous de-
cision, an umpire would be appointed.
and his findings would have the same
.ores As those Of a board.
Bsa1d Of Inquiry.
II enc side refused to submit its
sass to the regional board. the board
would become board Of inquiry with
two chosen from each panel the chair