Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-12-01
Labor Head
Urges Check on
C0rporateP0werS

Washington, Nov. s0.-Organized
labor's attitude toward many ques-
tions pending and likely to come be-
fore Congress was outlined today by
Matthew Vol, vice president of the
American Federation of Labor, reply
ing to series of questions submit
ted to labor leaders by Chairman
Hays of the Republican national
committee. To make the fruits of
labor more effectively disable for the
welfare Of the country, capital and
labor, Woll declared, must be placed
on an equal footing by making all
corporation charters provide that I'M
der their powers the holders might
not deny employees the right to or
ganize, bargain collectively through
Representatives OF their own choos-
ing" or to determine for themselves
the conditions and relations of their
service. Without this check on cor
porate powers, he said, 1.-The domestic
conflict now raging cannot and will
not be permanently ended"
Discussing plans to settle or min
imize industrial unrest, Mr.. Woll de-
clared arbitrary exercise of unwar-
ranted and unconstitutional authority
by our courts" could not allay it.
adding that ito avoid building up Of
judicial autocracy" the word of the
supreme court, as a state or fed
eral, should not be final on the con-
stitutionality of an act. He proposed
re-enactment Of the measure.
Government by injunction should
be prohibited, the rights and liber-
ties and freedom should be fully
safeguarded and the upbuilding of a
judicial autocracy made impossible
for all time to come" Mr.. Woll said.
Congress. he said should speedily
approve the covenant of the League
of Nations. including the labor pro-
visions contained in this remarkable
document, which holds the cope for
future pace of the world in its keep
ing. instead of filibustering and nd
ding away like Nero while Rome was
afame."
Measures to prohibit child labor
total exclusion Of immigration for two
wears, a government employees mini
mum wage, and retirement act, a FED
eral employment service, elimination
of convict labor competition, soidlers
land legislation, state loans to nome
builders and repeal of all taxes on
necessities, were advocated. .,,
Mr.. Woll denounced the pending Dill
for railroad control offered by Senator
cummins, Republican. Iowa, as tne
most un-American piece OF legislation
ever proposed by anyone" and suggeVt-
ed that the railroads be not returned
to- private operation for two years 10
permit the people meanwhile to say
what should be done with them.
In no circumstances. he contended'
should any commission or other agency
be authorized to fix wages or hours' anu
while the federal compensation law has
done good. it should be amended as to
it's rates to keep pace with the cost OF
living. Women should receive equal
treatmen. and pay with men but should
be given tasks only proportionate 10
their physical strength and potential
motherhood. the letter stated.
Discussing accident and unemploy-
ment insurance, Mr.. Woll declored the
true solution was to strike at unem-
ployment itself by "a systematic eliml-
nation Of many of the reasonable in
dustrial undertakings" The United
Mine Worker he said, in asking for a
fiv. -da. week were "in reality asking
for a greater period Of work rather
than a greater period Of idleness." Uni
yersal observance Of the eight-hour
day would tend. he said. to adjust con-
ditions Of unemployment in many indus
tries. II these matters were adequately
dealt with, he added. workers could
lay by savings to care for their families
in times Of stress or fdleness.
Answering a question as to whether
labor desired ito participate in the
contro! and management Of industry
and share in profits and losses Mr.
woll said profit-sharing as thus lar
proposed was "a sham and fraud
and a "cloak for excess profits" The
suggestions as to sharing profits and
losses "borders on the absurd" said
Mr.. Vol. adding:
"If workers are to share In the losses.
then let us establish shop soviets end
le. the worker also manage and operate
the entire industries. American labor
demands only a voice and control IN
such industrial matters and manage
noent as affect their interests as workers
ana which are determined largely by
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