The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-05-23

very different destination, 1t must
lead not merely to accommodation, but
also to a genuine cooperation and
partnership based upon real commu-
nifty of interest and participation in
control.
Reorganization Needed"
There is now in fact real CON-
munity of interest between capital
and labor, but it has never been evil
dent in action. 1t can be made oper-
alive and manifest only in new or
ganization of industry. The genius
of our business men and the sound
practical sense of our workers certain
ly can work such a partnership out
when once they realize exactly what
it is that they seek and sincerely
adopt a common purpose with regard
to it.
Labor legislation lies chiefly, of
| course, with the states. but the new
spirit and method of organization
which must be effected are not to be
brought about by legislation so much
as by the common counsel and volun-
tary cooperation of capitalists, man
ayers and workmen. Legislation can
go only very little way in command
ing what shall be done. The organiza-
ton of industry is a matter of corpo-
rate and individual initiative and of
practical business arrangement. Those
between capital and labor readily can
find way to bring it about; and per-
haps federal legislation can help more
than state legislation could. ~.
Workers Must Participate.
The object of all reform in this es-
sential matter must be the genuine
decentralization of industry, based
upon full recognition of the right of
those who work, in whatever rank, to
participate in some organic way in
every decision which directly affects
their welfare or the part they are to
play in industry. Some positive legis-
lation is practicable. The congress
already has shown the way to one re-
form which should be worldwide, by
establishing the eight-hour 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 be-
lieve, presently find it. 1t has served
the whole country by leading the way
in developing the means of preserv-
ing and safeguarding life and health
in dangerous industries. 1t now can
help in the difficult task of giving a
new form and spirit to Industrial Or
ganization by co-ordinating the sew
eral agencies of Cancellation and ad-
justment which have been brought
into existence by the difficulties and
mistaken policies of the present man
agement of industry, and by setting
up and developing new federal agen-
cies of advice and information which
may serve as clearing house for the
best experiments and best thoughts
on this great matter, upon which
every thinking man must be aware
that the future development of society
directly depends.
Agencies of international council
and suggestion are presently to be
created in connection with the League
of Nations in this very field; but it is
national action and the enlightened
policy of individuals, corporations and
societies within each nation that must
bring about the actual reforms. The
members of the committees on labor in
the two houses hardly will need sug-
gestions from me as to what means
they shall seek to make the federal
government of the whole nation in
pointing out and, if need be, guiding
the process of reorganization and re-
form. ....
Urges Jobs for Soldiers.
l am sure that it Is not necessary
for me to remind you that there is one
immediate and very practical question
of labor that we should meet in the
most liberal spirit. We must see to
it that our returning soldiers are as
sisted in every practical way to find
the places for which they are fitted in
the daily work of the country This
can be done by developing and main
tanning upon an adequate scale the ad-
mirable organization created by the de-
partment of labor for placing men
seeking work and it also can be done,
in at least one very great field, by
creating new opportunities for individ.
ual enterprise. ...
The secretary of the interior has
pointed out the way by which return
ing soldiers may be helped to find and
take up land in the hitherto undevel-
oped regions Of the country which the
federal government already has pre-
pared or readily can prepare for Guilt
walton and also on many of the cutover
or neglected areas which lie within
the limits of the older states; and I
once more take the liberty of recon-
mending very urgently that his plans
shall receive the immediate and SUBJ
stantial support of the congress.
Peculiar and very stimulating condi-.
lions await our commerce and indus
trial enterprise in the immediate fu-
ture. Unusual opportunities presently
will present themselves to our mer-
chants and producers In foreign mar
kets and large fields for profitable in
vestment will be opened to our free
capital. But it is not only of that that
l am thinking; it is not chiefly of that
that l am thinking. Many great in
dustries Frustrated by the war wait to
be rehabilitated, in many parts of the
world where what will be lacking is
not brains or willing hands or organ
izing capacity or experienced skill, but
machinery and raw material and CAPT
tai. l believe that our businessmen,
our merchants, our manufacturers and