Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-12-08

II - INC 18Su1Ou 0OW 70 w 70 w.
tie many things by conference. The
method is dne-if 1t wm work. but
much Of the conferring 10 merely do
ferrins. Many Of the con1efees have
insufficient authority and conse-
quenuy cannot assume too much re-
sponsfbility. There is much oppor-
tunity to shift responsibility and
pass the buck to the next fellow.
The most notable recent example
of the conference method was the
Nl-fated Industrial meet in Washing
ton which came to grief on the ap-
paSeafion Of the term collective bar
gaining" This happened October Is
and now another conference con-
sisttng of II men who represent no
"groups' and have no authority or
responsibility except for themselves
Is holding sessions behind closed
doors. According to President VII
son this conference II now engaged
in the dihbeult task Of finding a
method that win bring about a genu-
Inc characterization Of industry.
based on the full recognition Of the
right Of those who work, in whatever
rank. to participate in some organic
way in every decision which direct
ly affects their welfare"
Just how these men can work out a
scheme that will fit every industry,
be It baking bricks or selling silk,
and inst how they can induce every
employer to adopt it is not readily
seen. Nor Is there any guarantee
that any scheme of characterization
would be- acceptable to all employees.
In fact organized labor is frankly
suspicious Of the conference and
Frank ". Morrison. secretary Of the
American Federation Of Labor an
Eounces that labor will not consider
itself bound by any decision the con-
ference may make as labor Is not
represented. OF what use then will
be the deliberations Of the II men?
They may and probably will lay
down principles Of justice and fair
ness 20 all sides In the industrial
tangle but they will not settle any
thing. Labor still has to ind out
that it is not running the govern
ment but it viii take more than II
men to teach the lesson.
II genuine characterization Of In
dustry" means what President VIII
son intimates, 1t offers chance fol-
further curtailment Of production
without shortening Of wage -hours
1t means that conferences on COM
pany time will become the inveterate
habit in every shop. It means that
the Office boy as well as the presi.
dent will have voice in the firms
policies Of business. plans for pro-
duction, expansion, advertising
| salesmanship, all the department.
and details Of the industry. 1t mean.
factory politics. ward caucuses, ware
bosses and ward heelers. 1t mean.
that industry will be conducted b,
| conversation as government is nov
! conducted by conversation. Th'
loudest and longest talker wins
There are always plenty of peopl,
who can talk everything and every.
body to death.
Pure, unadulterated, genuine
democracy has never been workable
anywhere. Certainly labor and capi
tai are not now in the moed to maxi
even a ghost Of a success Of it.
Industry and government are no
built on the same lines and it is har.
to see how they can ever be run OF
the same plan. Industry is inten
sive. Its aim is to make profits tina
represent at least a fair return on in
vested capital. 1t produces thing
people want, or are taught through
advertising to think they want, an.
out Of the demand created justifies 1t,
existence. 1t necessarily looks upoI
| the people as a means Of sustenanc'
for itself. Competing with other in
dustries. it must concentrate mucl
power in the hands Of few men. giv'
them opportunity to make quick ant
important decisions. and TAX
chances. Hampered by windy con
ferences many big industrial mo
ments would have to go down to oh
livion.
Government is extensive. Its ain
Is to serve and safeguard the peopl'
from dangers within and without
Ito establish justice. to promote tn
general welfare and secure the bless
ings Of liberty to ourselves and ou
posterity." and to do the whole thinl
| without profits. It looks upon tn
people not as its feeding ground. bu
as it's special care. It's decisions ar
| made in the interest of the public
while industrial decisions are mad
primarily in the interest Of the com
pany. g..
| The fields of activity are likewis'
varied. An industry confines ttsel