Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-29
BY NEwBoLD MOVES.
HAD dream last night. I dream
ed that capitalist named John

L.
ed that capitalist named John
Browne and laborer named John
Brown went to Solomon with
troubles. Under Brownies arm was a
package marked Prosperity" and I'M
der Browns one marked Security"
order. He looked at their discontinued
faces.
What do you each want?" he asked.
Security and prosperity" said
Browne. defiantly.
Prosperity and security said
Brown, truculently.
'Divvy." said Solomon, pointing to the
bundles they carried. And 1t seemed
fair enough. And they did divvy. And
finding that each now had what he
wanted. they went about their busi-
ness smiling.
Real Problem Not So Simple.
It was only a dream, of course
Even Solomon, with all his ability
along the line of divesting cases
brought before him Of those non-es-
sentials with which the muddy minds
Of lesser men are today confused,
could not solve the tangle of indus
trial relationship quite so simply as
that But there was a certain signif1-
canoe in the situation as dreamed,
which, carrying the hopes of future
peace in the Industrial world. must
not be deprecated because it is hap
PLY becoming trite.
Labor and capital do hold in their
hands. here in this country at least,
1T az
can win his aspirations without di-
viding with the other. Security and
prosperity. the attainment of a fair
share Of the peace and comfort and
happiness of life, are Individually a
heritage to be won only through mu-
tual concessions. Until these hack
ineyed facts become automatic to those
upon whom the destiny of America
depend. until labor and capital, weary
ing of conflict. shall say to each
other. Lets divvy." the dreams of
each must remain dreams.
Cancellation Day Nearer.
The happy fact is that. to the minds
Of those who are anxiously following
the trend of events. that day seems
to be drawing nearer. Labor. orfgi-
facilitate warfare upon capital, is. In
certain definite instances. commence
ing to modify its purposes from mill
fancy toward cooperation. 1t Is true
that these definite instances are so
far regrettably few and far between.
the light of optimism. hoping for the
best this entering wedge is full OF
promise. Capital, the employers OF
labor. drawn together In their de-
fensive warfare, are more generally
inquiring into the equity of their
hat vxyhf oh
defend. The old days, when certain
employers refused to discuss union
demands with their employees save
through hired Intermediates. or to
sign the same copy OF an enforced
| agreement as had been signed by
| union representatives., have gone,
never to come back.
The time is ripe for the change so
essential to the security Of our es-
tablished industrial institutions. The
radicalism Of yesterday has become
the conservatism OF today, and much
| is today being put into practice.
| Thinking men are telling each other
that the industrial future Of the
country depends upon mutual self
restraint and self-control. and that
present day sincerity in social faith
are essential to the future Of their
children and the nation. The haz-
ardous and twisting road of indus
! trial progress is Strengthening out
| into a safe and broad highway. How
many dangerous curves must be
rounded before the debouchment into
| the straightaway can be erected Is
not today the all-important matter. 1t
may be safely assumed that. with the
assurance that somewhere ahead 10
| a highway where men may travel In
security, labor and capital will travel
! the last miles Of the old road eau
! tiously. The big fact is the assur-
| ance Of the highway.
All Seeking Harmony.
The ablest minds of both capital and
labor are pointing the way to har-
mony. What shall be done to make
a start?" is the question John D.
Rockefeller. jr.. recently sought to
answer In the spirit of practicability
| in which it is asked.
| 1T believe that the most effective
structure Of representation is that
! which is built from the bottom up"
he said, (which includes all employees.
which starts with the election Of rep
resentatives and the formation of
joint committees in each industrial
plant, proceeds to the formation of
joint district councils and annual
joint conferences in single indus
| trial corporation, and admits of ex-
| tension to all corporations in the
| same industry, as well as to all in
| dustries in a community, in a ma
ton. and in the various nations"