New-York tribune., 1919-12-29
Conference Suggests That
Areas Conform With
Those of the Federal
Reserve Bank Districts
National Tribunal
On "Unrest" Urged
Closed or Open Shop
Issue and Right of
Employees to Walk Out
Ignored in Findings

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-The
Presidents industrial conference,
which met here early in December
to study labor unrest in the United
States, in preliminary report of
its discussions made public to-day,
lays down suggestions for the es-
tablishment of machinery to pre-
vent and settle industrial disputes
The report proposes the estab-
lishment Of a national industrial
tribunal, consisting Of nine members
appointed by the President, repre-
senting equally employers, en-
J ployees and the public, and acting
N as board of appeal from regional
boards Of inquiry and adjustment,
i which would seek to settle disputes
before production is stopped. Pub
lie utility and government indus
tries are not included.
The conference plan would not
deny the right to strike or attempt
to set up closed or open shop.
The country would be divided into
twelve industrial regions, conforming
to the Federal reserve districts. at the
head of which would be a regional
chairman appointed by the President.
Panels for Each Region
Panels of employers and employees
for each region would be prepared by
the Secretary of Commerce and the
] Secretary Of Labor. respectively, after
conferences with the employers and
4 workers OF that region. Each panel,
approved by the President, would be
I classified by industries among the
employers, and by industries, with sub
classification into crafts, among the
/ employees. Lots would be cast to de
termine the order of names in eacn
panel
When dispute arose in any region,
& the chairman would request each side
Adjustment consisting of the chair
/ man, one representative chosen by
each side, and two unchallenged mem
I bers of each panel. Appointment of
representatives of both sides to any
!. dispute would constitute an agreement
II to continue the status that existed
when the trouble arose. Decisions Of
such regional boards would have to be
II unanimous or the question would be
|. referred by unanimous vote to an
/ umpire, whose decision would be finai,
I or to the national tribunal.
q Refusal by any side to controversy
4 to submit to adjustment would result
in the constitution OF a regional board
of inquiry, consisting of the chair
81 man, two members of each panel and
81 the representative of either side that
y agreed to adjustment. If the other
q side consented to adjustment before
b the inquiry was completed, the board
4 OF inquiry would become a board Df
adjustment by appointment of the re-
naming member. Otherwise, the
S board Of inquiry would investigate the
4 dispute and make public its findings
tor the benefit of the public.
n otuuy OIL proposals Sought
The report reads in full:
A "lntroduction.@The industrial con-
h ference, convened by the President
IN Washington on December /, issues
THIS statement in the desire that GER
q 'alh tentative proposals be given con-
y s'derate study by interested indi-
'lduals and organizations throughout
lhe country 1t will reassemble on
sanuary II and will then carefully
consider any constructive criticisms
'aas may be submitted to it.
me conference does not deem it
sseiul at this time TO enter upon a
& a.scusSloh of the causes of industrial
S"iesl 1t believes rather that its
a .l Mosl important immediate contribu
mon the suggestion of practical
measures which will serve to avert or
4 postpone industrial conflicts.
4 ~ confin'ng itself TO the proposal
y; machinery for the adjustment of
"U,spates, the conference is far from
"siSnihg to eXaggerate the Importance
w. 'he mechanical as contrasted with
n n1.e human elements in the situation.
!, ut modern industrial organization, If
w.1s - not to become failure, must
;;s.o w. 10 the individual larger salts
sscton with life. 1t makes possible
=; Greater production of material
tomsS rngs' But we have grown SO accus-
in iousa s. 10 It's complexity that we are
to !" saanger of forgetting that men are
tSansy more dependent on each other
saua snn ever before. The spirit of human
essss;oswSship, and responsibility was
ssa sasier to maintain when two or three
.,"eo ns,Se SIDE by side and saw the COM
Wy "a product pass from their hands.
nssosf men cooperation was actually less
mosssary mosa BECAUSE each by himself was
d"ne nearly capable. if circumstances
4 T"a,anoed' to meet the needs of life.
ino 'sys we have complex interweav-
~ ,ss OF vital interests. But we have
re,.;;;ea. fated to adjust our human
4 ietssso1ns ittss'ons to the facts of cur economic
adiu.te adirus.atependence. The process toward
eosss'sment, eoss though, slow, nevertheless
! fwss, on. The right relationship be-
/ s~sa employer and employee in large