Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-10-22

At q time when the natlOnS OIL
the world are endeavoring to
find a way of avoiding industrial
war, are we to confess that there
is no method to be found for
carrying on industry except in
the spirit ard with the very
method of war? Must suspicion
and hatred and force rule us In
civil life? Are our Industrial
leaders and our Industrial work
ers to live together without
faith in each Others constantly
struggling for advantage over
each other, doing naught but
what is compelled?
Intolerable outlook
Ny friends, this would be an
intolerable outlook, a prospect
unworthy of the large things
done by this people in the mas
tering. of this continent-indeed'
it would be an invitation to ma
tional disaster. From such
possibility my mind turns away,
for my confidence is abiding
that in this land we have learned
how to accept the general JudS-
ment upon matters that aftect
the public veal. And this Is
the very heart and soul OF de-
mocracy.
Should Stand Together
1t is my understanding tha1
Won have divided upon one
portion only of a possible large
program which has not fully de-
veloped. Before severance is
affected, based upon present
differences. 1 believe you should
stand together for the develop
ment of that full program
touching the many questions
within the broad scope of your
Investigations. 1t was In IN!
mind when this conference was
called that you would concern
yourselves with the discovery OIL
those methods by when
measurable cooperation with
in industry may have been Sc
cured and if new machinery
needs to be designed by Whlch
a minimum of conflict between
employers and employees may
reasonably be hoped for, that
we should make an effort to Sc
cure it's adoption. 1t cannot be
expected that at every step all
parties will agree upon each
proposition or method suggest
ed. 1t is to be expected, how
ever, that as a whole, a plan
or program can be agreed upon
which will advance further the
productive capacity of America
through the establishment OF a
surer and heartier co-operation
between all the elements en-
gagged in industry. The public
expects not less than that you
shall have that one end in view
and stay together until the way
is found leading to that end or
until it is revealed that the men
who work and the men who
manage American industry are
so set upon divergent paths
that all efforts at cooperation
is doomed to failure.
1 renew my appeal with full
comprehension of the almost in
comparable Importance of your
tasks to this and to other peo-
pies. and with full faith in the
high patriotism and good faith
of each other that you push
your task to a happy conclu-
sion.
(Signed)
WOODROW WILSON.
The right to organize for the pu
ose of collective bargaining, Sar
ell Gompers, president of the Anne
ran Federation of Labor, said ye
erday. is the one question in co
one thing the wor
ng people of the United States a
'oing to achieve"
Warns Employers
A hush fell over the crowded a
itorium as the labor leader, squar
Y facing the employers wing a.
haking his finger toward tn
'roup, exclaimed to the represer
tives of American capital:
"If you do not bear with us
n effort toward construction, If "
hink it impossible for us to secu
elief for the suffering masses
labor, if you insist on co
esting with us every inch of t
round in our battle for better co
itions, if you deny us the rights
if you render our wo
nally impotent, you may destr
IS, but you will find yourselves ia
ng something else, something wor'
nd you may come to rue the d
hat you destroyed the saneness a
he willingness to serve that has a
Ioes characterize the officials
American trade unionism to-day"
Mr.. Gompers again sounded
tote of warning a few momel
ater when he told the members
he conference that he feared tn
lid not appreciate the critical s
iation in which we find ourselves
lay" The people of the Unit
States, he asserted, are sitting
/ lid industrially," turning towa
he employers he added, "whetl
,ou like it or not trade unionism !
,ome to the United States to sta
Concluding with the statemt
hat although the conference m
'ail to satisfy the real needs Of
workers, he said the organized lat
movement would continue to flo'
sh, and whatever may be den
is to-day. we will win tomorrow
Recognition of the right of wol
,rs to bargain collectively was sw'
lside by the National Industr
Conference last night in defeati
irst a proposal by the employe
lext a substitute declaration by
general committee, a
.hird the original proposal OF
committee. The conferer
hereupon reverted to the st
strike arbitration issue with pr
,ects of a vote before adjournme
rhe proposal from the labor gro
% arbitrate the steel strike SC
vas disposed of, both the employ
md the public representatives v
ng against it. The conference 81;
vas thus swept clean.
MRS. ELLA r. BEAVER