The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-05-20
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE TO EXTRA
SESSION OF CONGRESS

made evident in action. 1t can he
made operative and manifest only
in a new organization of industry.
The genius of our business men and
the sound practical sense OF our
workers can certainly work such
partnership out when once they
realize exactly what 1t Is that they
seek and sincerely adopt a common
purpose with regard to II.
Labor legislation lies. On course.
chiefly with the states; but the
new spirit and method of organ
ization which must be effected
are not to be brought about by
legislation so much as by the COM
mon counsel and Ico-operation of
capitalist. manager and workman.
Legislation can go only a very
little way in commanding what
shall be done. The organization of
industry is q matter of corporate
and individual initiative and of
practical business arrangement.
Those who really desire a new
rclationship between capitsi and
! hcr I'M xsadiiy find AZ way, g,
wiring it Abotf ana perhaps Yed-r
eral legislation can help more than
state legislation could.
Recognition OF Those That Work.
The object of all reform in this
essential matter must be the gem
ulne democratization of industry.
based upon a full recognition OF the
right of those who work. in what
ever rank, to participate in some
organic way in every decision
which directly effects their welfare
or the part they are to play in in
dustry. Some positive legislation
is practicable. The congress has
already shown the way to one re-
form which would be worldwide.
by establishing the eight-ho day
as the standard day in every field
of labor over which it can exercise
control. 1t has sought to find the
way to prevent child labor, and
will, l hope and believe. presently
find it. 1t has served the whole
country by leading the way in de-
Veloping the means of preserving
and safeguarding life and health
in dangerous industries. 1t can
now help in the difficult task of
giving new form and spirit to
conciliation and adjustment which
have been brought into existence
by the difficulties and mistaken
policies of the present manage
ment Of industry, and by setting
up and developing new federal
agencies of advice and information
which may serve as clearing
house for the best experiments and
the best thought on this great mat
ter, upon which every thinking man
must be aware that the future de-
Nf fnN,
pends.
Agencies OF international counsel
and suggestion are presently to be
created in connection with the
league of nations in this very field
, enlightened policy of individuals,
corporations and societies within
each nation that must bring about
the actual reforms. The members
or the committees on labor in the
two houses will hardly need sug-
gestions from me as to what means
they shall seek to make the federal
government the agent of the whole
nation in pointing out and, If need
be, guiding the process of reorgan-
lzation and reform.
l am sure that it Is not necessary
for me to remind you that there is
ohS Iiuileuldle ana very practical
question of labor that we should
meet in the most liberal spirit. We
must see to it that our returning
soldiers are assisted in every prac-
tlcab'e way to find the places for
which they are fitted in the daily
work of the country. This can be
done by developing and maintaining
upon an adequate scale the admir-
able organization created by the de-
partment of labor for placing men
seeking work; and it can also be
done, in at least one very great
field, by creating new opportunities
for individual enterprise. The Sec
retary of the interior has pointed
out the way by which returning
soldiers may be helped to find and
take. up land in the hitherto un-
developed regions of the country
which the federal government has
already prepared or can readily
prepare for cultivation, and also on
many of the cut over or neglected
areas which lie within the limits of
the older states: and / once more
take the liberty of recommending
very urgently that his plans shall
receive the immediate and substan-