The sun., 1919-09-16
ASKS ARMISTICE IN
INDUSTRIAL STRIFE
s. G. Mason, President of Man
ufacturers Association,
Submits Plan.
TEN MILLIONS LOST DAILY
Would Have Capital and Labor
Agree to Truce During
REIMBURSEMENT.

An armistice between organized in
dustry and organized labor, to last until
President Wilson declares the period Of
readjustment passed, is proposed by
Stephen C. Mason. president OF the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers, in
a statement which has been sent TO the
White House for transmission to Mr..
Wilson.
The proposal is intended for the con-
sideration of the President and all the
groups who may attend the Industrial
conference to be held October at the
white House. The programme sug-
gested for adoption as the basic work Of
the conference is as follows:
"A joint 'gentlemen's agreement armi-
stice, strike truce or preliminary treaty
for Industrial peace, between organized
industry and organized labor, declaring
their common purpose to be that OF
bringing to an early end all Industrial
war and agitation now raging through
out the United States and avoiding or
preventing strikes, lockouts or any other
cause or means OF iiterrupting or para
Lying transportation or Industrial pro-
ductlon. This covenant to remain In
force until the President of the United
States shall have declared the period of
industrial readJustment at an end"
Mr.. Mason figures that the epidemic
OF strikes and threatened strikes has cost
the people of the United States in the
last eight months las much as $40, 000,-
600 n day in lost wages. rent, retail
trade and wasted industrial productive
resources" He believes that 90 per cent.
OF this economic loss could have been
prevented 'if organized industry had
embarked upon an agreement systemau-
cally to avoid wrongheaded policies and
methods and organized labor had like
wise pledged its sacred honor 10 prevent
the misuse OF the strike weapon by self
seeking leaders, who have called or pre-
cipitated unnecessary strikes"
Sees Chance for Proat.
"The White House conference" Mr..
Mason says, can be made productive
OF far reaching results IL the Admins
tration will directly appeal TO the pa
trotic and unselhsh impulses of all the
varying factions to come to the confer
ence fully prepared and authorized to
enter upon voluntary, solemn cove
nant 10 avoid all unnecessary or avoid
able Interruptions of Industrial and agri-
cultural production as well as threat
ened paralysis of interstate transpor-
tstion.
THE paramount interest of all OF the
people, as well as the national interest
involved, ought to be recognized and
accepted by all parties at the confer
ence..
II believe" he continues, "the serious
reactions of the recently intensified
period Of industrial strife has done much
to impress the danger aud foolishness
.h..i -.
captains and privates OF industry, both
in and out\of the ranks of the organized
forces on both sides. There Is no room
to doubt that the Amez lean people as
a whole have become heartily sick and
more than ever impatient over the dis
gusting spectacle and terrible waste in
volved in ceasoless Industrial chickering's
and strife.
III any one doubts that a strong
sentiment exists for the correction OF
such a deplorable condition both in and
out of the ranks of organized labor and
organized industry, 1t Is only necessary
to call attention to the recent report,
urging a strike truce as a means of
bringing about a badly needed increase
in Industrial production, 40 forcefully
stated by a lately discharged but still
determined committee of the New York
State Federation OF Labor, and the ma
tiOnwide educational campaign con-
Quoted among both employers and work.
ers for over three years. at great ex-
pense, by the National Association of
Manufacturers, in the interest OF in
dustrial conservation and peace.
These sincere desires for Industrial
peace on the part of organized employ
ers and workers ought to provide a
fitting foundation for the satisfactory
solution OF our industrial problems. Ger
tainly such worthy aspirations on both
sides ought to receive the most vigorous
and active encouragement and aid of
the American people and the forces Of
good government II such motives ami
mate the representatives OF all factions
or groups at the forthcoming White
House conference and every construc-
tive assistance is assured by President
Wilson and mis- coiieas ues. that event
ought to mark the arrival of a new
era and better order of things in our
American industrial world"
Gives Detail of Plan.
Mr.. Mason says the basis of agree
ment printed above would remain in