The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-05-30

pkVuAHt ny REGISTRATION SO mucIA as Dy
the common counsel and voluntary
cooperation Of capitalist. manager and
workman. Legislation can go only a
very little way In commanding what
shall be done. The organization Of in
dustry IL a matter Of corporate and
individual Initiative and OF practical
business arrangement. Those who re-
ally desire a new Relationship between
capital and labor can readily find ri
way TO bring 1t about; and perhaps
FEDERAL legislatlon can help more than
state Legislation could.
Industrial Decentralization.
"The object Of all reform In this es-
sential matter must be the genuine
demoeratizatIon OF industry, based up
on full recognition OF the right Of
those who work. Ia whatever rank. to
participate tn sone organic way In
every decision which directly affects
their welfare or the part they are TO
play IN Industry. Some positive legis-
lntion Il practicable. The congress
has alrendy shown the way TO one re-
form which should be worldwide, by
establishing the elght-hour day as the
standard day In every field of labor
over which II can exercise control. II
has sought to find the way to prevent
child labor and will, hope and be
ileye, presently find II. II has served
the whole country by leading the way
IN developing the means OF preserving
and safeguarding life and health in
dangerous Industries. II can now help
In the difficult task OF giving new
form and spirit to Industrial organiza-
tlon by co-ordinatlng the several
agencies OF Cancellation and adjust
ment which have been brought into ex.
istence by the difficulties and mistaken
policies OF the present management OF
Industry, and by setting up and devel.
opIng new federal agencies Of advice
and information which may serve as
clearing house for the best expert
ence and best thought ON this great
matter, upon which every thinking
man must be aware that the future de-
veiopment OF society directly depends.
Agencies Of international counsel and
suggestion are presently to be created
IN connection with the league of ma
tions In this very field; but II is ma
tional action and the enlightened pol
icy OF individuals, corporations and So
cieties within each nation that must
bring about the actual reforms. The
members of the committee on labor in
the two houses win hardly need sug-
gestions from me as TO what means
they shall seek to make the federal
government the agent of the whole ma
ton In pointing out, and II need be,
guiding the process OF reorganization
and reform.
Duty 10 Returning Soldiers.
Il am sure that II Is not necessary
for me TO remind that there is one
immediate and very practical question
OF labor that we should meet In the
most liberal spirit. We must see TO 1t
that our returning soldiers are assist
ed In every practicable way to find
tho places for which they are fitted
In the daily work OF this country
This can be done by developing and
maintaining upon an adequate scale
the admirable organization created by
the department OF labor for placing
men seeking work; and II can also be
done, in ut least one very great field
by creating new opportunities for In
divldunl enterprise. The secretary of
the interior has pointed out the way
by which returning soldiers may be
helped TO find and take up land In
the hitherto undeyeloped regions OF
the country which the federal govern
ment has already prepared or cnn
readily prepare for cultivation and
also on many Of the cut-oyer or neg.
lected areas which lie within the lin,
its of the older states; and once
more take the liberty OF recommend
Ing very urgently that his plans shall
receive the Immediate and substantial
support Of the congress.
Peculiar and very stimulating con
ditlons await our commerce and In
dustrlal enterprise Ia the immediate
future. Unusual opportunities will
present themselves 10 our merchants
and producers in foreign markets, and
large fields for profitable Investment
viii be opened to our free capital.
But II is not only OF that that | am
thinking; Il is not chiefly OF that that
I am thinking. Many great industries
Frustrated by the war walt TO be re-
habiiitated. In many parts of the
world where what WIN be lacking IS
not brains or willing hands or or.
ganlzing capacity or experienced skill
but machinery and raw materials and
capital. believe that our business
men, our merchants, cur manufaetur-
ers, and our capitalists will have the
vision 10 see that prosperity in one
part Of the world ministers to pros
perity everywhere; that there is In a
very true sense a solidarity OF inter-
est throughout the world OF enter
prise. and that our dealings with the
countries that have need OF our prod.
ucts and our money will teach them