Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-30

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Tenta-
| tive recomm enda lions for the estab-
lishment of machinery to prevent or
(retard labor conflicts in private in
dustry were announced today by the
presidents industrial conference,
with a view to obtaining construc-
tive criticism before a final plan is
adopted.
The plan as outlined now contem-
| plates the creation of a national in
dustrial tribunal and regional boards
of inquiry and adjustment, which
would move to the settlement of dis
putes before there was any stoppage
| of production. Decisions would have
| the full force and effect of a trade
agreement between the parties to the
dispute.
Remarking that some public utili-
/ ties, such as railroads, are essential
to the very existence of the people,
the conferences tentative statement
| expressed the opinion that the I'm
lterruption in such essential public
utilities is intolerable."
| But the conference states that fur
ther consideration is required of the
problem whether some method can
| be arrived at that will avert all dan
ger of interruption to service.
I Government employees, the third
class, into which the wage-e earning
public are divided. should have the
right to associate for mutual protec-
| ton, the statement declared, but "no
| interference, by any group with the
continuous operation of government
| functions through concerted cessa-
| ton of work or threats thereof can
| be permitted"
| When the conference reconvenes
January ~, public bearings will be
held to sobtai expert advice rs 60
! the drafting of the final recommend
atoms in the light of such criticism
| of the tentative report as may be re-
| ceived.
Principles Believed Rscommenda-
| lions
| While stating that at this time it
| was believed more essential to de-
wise machinery for averting con-
lfiiets than to undertake a discussion
icf the causes of unrest, the confer
| ence indicated CLEARLY the general
principles on which it has based it's
recommendations.
"Our modern industrial organiZa-
tion," the tentative report said, "if
it is not to become failure, must
yield to the individual larger salts
faction with life. Not only
must the theory that labor is com
modify be abandoned, but the con-
cept of leadership must be substi-
! tuted for that of mastership. "
| Human fellowship iii Industry must
either be an empty phrase or 1iv-
| ing fact.
Pending the growth of better re-
lationships between employers and
employees, the practical approach to
the problem is to devise a method
| for preventing or retarding conflicts
| by providing machinery for the adj
justnent of differences. To be sue
cessful such tribunals must be so or
| ganized as to operate promptly as
well AS impartiality. ... The
plain fact is that the public has long
been uneasy about the power of
great employers; it is becoming I'M
easy about Jthe power of great labor
organizations. The community must
! be assured against domination by
either.
,'The plan which follows does moi
! propose to do away with the ultimate
right to strike, to discharge or to
/ maintain the closed or the open
! shop"
The national industrial tribunal
! suggested by the conference, would
consist of nine members appointed by
| the president. three each represent
ing the employers, employees and the
! public. The tribunal. in general
would be board of appeal, Whose
decisions must be unanimous, bu
provision was made for public ma
jority and minority reports in case:
where no agreement was, possible.
Industrial regions, probably twelv,
in number conforming to the fedora
reserve system, would be outlined ant
a regional chairman appointed TO
: each by the PRESIDENT Vice chair
/ men would. be named by >the tribu
Enal, if the work n.lsny region re
lqdired it.-f .r @ a. n
Panels o. ~n1clnyes and sstnploye'
forfeach region would be prepared b!
liz SeClCGdLy Va I'll
secretary of labor, respectively, aft
er conferences with the employers an,
II workers ofJthat region Each panel
approved by the president, would b
1 classified by industries smong tn
employers and by industries, witt
sub ssificationst into crafts, anon.
the employees Lots would be cas-
to determine the order of names i
each panel.
4 Regional Adjustment Boards
1 When a dispute arose ingany re
gion, the chairman would reques
each side to submit it to a regiona
beard of adjustment, consisting 0
the chairman, one representativ
chosen by each side,eand two unchal
lenged members of each panel. Ap
poiatment of representatives of bot
sides to any dispute would consti
tute an agreement to continue tn
status that existed when the troubl
arose. Decisions of such regiona
boards would have to be unanimou
or the question would be referred b.
unanimous vote to an umpire, who's
decision would be final or to the nd
tional tribunal.
Refusal by. any. side, to a couCro
4 versy to submit to adjustment woul
result in the constitution OF a re
n gional board of inquiry. consistin
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