Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-12-02

mendations to the object immedi-
ately in hand, which is to lower the
cost of living.
Remove Grievances
No one who has observed the
march of events in the last year can
fail to note the absolute need of a
definite program to bring about an
improvement in the conditions of
labor. There can be no settled con-
ditions leading to increased produc-
ton and a reduction in the cost of
living if labor and capital are to be
antagonistic instead of partners.
Sound thinking and an honest de-
sire to serve the interests of the
whole nation, as distinguished from
the interests of a class, must be ap-
piled to the solution of this great and
pressing problem. The failure of
other nations to consider this mat
ter in n vigorous way has produced
bitterness and jealousies and the
food of radicalism. The only way to
keep men from agitation against
grievances is to remove the griev-
ances. The unwillingness even to
discuss these matters produces only
dissatisfaction and gives comfort to
the extreme elements in our country
which endeavor to stir up disturb
ances in order to provoke govern
ments to embark upon a course OF
retaliation and repression. The seed
of revolution is repression. The rem
edy for these things must not be
negative in character. 1t must be
constructive. 1t must comprehend
the general interest. The real anti
dote for the unrest which manifests
itself is not suppression, but a deep
consideration of the wrongs that be-
set our national life and the applica-
ton of remedy.
Decentralization of Industry
Congress has already shown it's
Willingness to deal with these indus
trial wrongs by establishing the
eight-hour day as the standard in
every field of labor. 1t has sought to
find a way to prevent child labor. 1t
has served the whole country by
leading the way in developing the
means of preserving and safeguard
ing lives and health in dangerous
industries. 1t must now help in the
difficult task of finding a method
that will bring about a genuine
democratization of industry, based
on the full recognition of the right
of those who work, in whatever
rank, to participate in some organic
way in every decision which direct
ly affects their welfare. 1t is with
this purpose in mind that 1 called
a conference to meet in Washington
on December 1 to consider these
problems in all their broad aspects,
with the idea of bringing about a
better understanding between these
two interests.
Pleads With World Unrest
The great unrest throughout the
world. out of which has emerged a
demand for an immediate consider
alton of the difficulties between cap
ital and labor, bids us put our own
house in order. Frankly there can
be no permanent and lasting settle
ments between capital and labor
which do not recognize the funda-
mental concept for which labor has
been struggling through the years.
The whole world gave its recogni-
ton and endorsement to these fund
amental purposes in the League of
Nations. The statesmen gathered
at Versailles recognized the fact
that world stability could not be
had by reverting to industrial stand
ards and conditions against which
the average workmen of the world
had revolted. 1t is, therefore, the
task of the statesmen of this new
day of change and readjustment to
recognize world conditions and to
seek to bring about, through legis-
lation, conditions that will mean the
ending of age-long antagonisms be-
tween capital and labor and that will