New-York tribune., 1919-12-29

weaken tho position Of the other. When
both parties join, the board at once
becomes q board of adjustment, and
conflict ceases by agreement until a
determination is rcached
Public Utility Industries
TV. Statement as to Public Utility
Industries-Tho plan here proposed
presents greater difflcultios In applica-
ton to certain public utilities than to
competitive industry. The continuous
operation of public utilities is vital to
public welfare. AS the capital invested
is employed in public use, so is tho
labor engaged in public service, and
the withdrawal Of either, with the re-
suit of suspending service, makes the
people the real victim. While continu-
Gus operation of all utilities Is con-
ducvc to the general convenience Of
the people, that of some Of them Is es-
scntial to their very existence. OF the
spicuous example and bear the same
relation to the body polite as do the
arteries to the human body. Suspen-
sion produces practical social and eco
nomic anarchy and may impose hard
ship even to the point of starvation
upon large sections of the community.
The interruption in such essential pub
lie utilities is intolcrable.
"The conference believes that plan
Of tribunals or boards Of adjustment
and inquiry should be applied to pub
lie utilities, but in the adaptation of
the plan two problems present them
selves. First, governmental regulation
of public utilities is now usually con-
fined to rates and services. The con-
ference considers that there must be
some merging Of responsibility for
regulation Of rates and services and
the settlement of wages and conditions
of labor Such coordination would
give greater security to the public, to
employee and to employer. Second, is
the problem whether some method can
be arrived at that will avert all dam
ger Of interruption to service. These
before concrete proposals arc put Corr
ward.
Plan for United States Employees
"V. Statement as to Government En-
ployecs.-The government is cstab-
lished in the interests of all the
people. 1t can be conducted effectively
only by those who give to its service
an undivided allegiance. The terms
and conditions of employment in the
government service are prescribed by
law Therefore no interference by any
group of government employees, or
others, with the continuous operation
of government functions through con-
certed cessation of work or threats
thereof can be permitted.
"The right Of government employees
to associate for mutual protection, the
advancement Of their interests, or the
presentation of grievances cannot be
denied, but no such employees who are
connected with the administration of
justice or the maintenance Of public
safety or public order should be per-
mittcd to join or retain membership
in any organization which authorizes
the use of the strike or which is affli-
ated with any organization which au
thorzcs the strike.
The conference is not now express
ing an opinion upon the proprety of
the aflilation Of other classes of gov
ernmcnt employees with organizations
which authorize the use of the strike.
"The principles above stated are not
to be construed as inconsistent with
the right Of employees individually to
leave the public service. 1t is, further,
an essential part of the application of
these principles that tribunals shall
be established for prompt hearing of
requests and prompt remedy Of griev-
ances. The legislation Of the nation.
the states and the municipalities
should be improved in such a way as
to prevent delay in hearings and to en-
able speedy action when there are
grievances.
"VI. Further Work of the Confer
ence.-On reconvening the conference
will continue its consideration of tr-
bunals for the furtherance of indus
trial peace in general industry in the
light of whatever criticisms and sug-
gcstions the publication of its tenta-
tive plan may call forth. 1t will re-
ceive reports of Investigations that
are being made for it. On the basis
of such reports and of further study
of these and the other subjects with