The Washington herald., 1919-12-29

fined to rates and services. The con-
ference considered that there must be
some merging Of responsibility for
regulation OF rates and services and
the settlement yof wages and condi-
tons of labor Such coordination
would give greater security to the
public. to employe, and to employer.
Second. Is the problem whether
some method can be carried at that
will avert all danger of interruption
to service. These matters require
further consideration before concrete
proposals are put forward"
Immediate Action Possible.
The general plan also provides for
the combination of regions, IL the
nee2 arises; places an agreement
reached by either a regional board,
an umpire. or the national tribunal
on the same plane as q trade agrees
ment, and authorizes>Jegional boards
and the national tribunal to SUBJ
poena witnesses. require the produc-
tkon Of papers and to examine wit
nesses under oath.
II Is not the intention of the con-
ference that its plan should con-
fiict with any existing machinery.
either State or national, for concilia-
intention to be ready at all times for
the receipt of complaints from either
workers or employers and it would
be prepared to act Immediately.
The conference makes 1t plain
that 1t Is not averse to public
employees combining for mutual
benefit. but 1t says specifically:
NO such employees who are
connected with the administra-
ton of justice or the mainte-
nance Of public safety or public
order should be permitted to join
or retain membership in any Or
ganization which authorizes the.
use of the strike or which Is af-
: fiiatsd with any Organization
which authorizes the strike"
The members do not at this time
express any opinion upon the pro-
priety of afiliation of other classes
of government employees with or
CARNATIONS which authorize the use
of the strike.
For National Coordination.
Summing up the objects OF its
plan. the conference says:
The main objects Of the plan are
to secure national coordination and
to stimulate the formation of bodies
for local adjustment. The require
ment of unanirnity of agreement has
by experience in the United States
proved remarkably successful and
should assure such confidence that
neither side can rightfully refuse
to submit to adjustment A prece-
dent condition of such submission is
that the interruption OF production
shall be delayed.
in controversy together with me
skilled in questions at issue always
gives promise Of settlement. o.
the other hand. refusal to submit
to the beard not only inaugurates
legal inquiry but also pre- JUDGES
the obstinate party Or parties is pub
lie opinion. Moreover, the fact that
membership on the board of inquiry
is available to either party to the
conflict singly would tend further
to weaken the position of the other.
when both parties join. the board
at once becomes a board of adjust
ment, and conflict ceases by agree
ment until a determination is finally
reached
The plan is national in scope
and operation, yet it is decentraI-
lied. 1t is different from anything
in, operation elsewhere. 1t is based
upon American experience and is
designed to meet American condi-
tions."
Terms of SIX Years.
A six-year term is fixed fer members
OF the National Tribunal, but at the
outset three members: includiuI one
from each group, would be appointed
for two years; three others for a
term of four years, and the remaining
three for the full term of six years
Thereafter all terms would be 70. the
full six-year period, and the Presi-
dent would reappoint IL he so de-
sired.
The preliminary report is signed By
Secretary OF Labor Wilson, CHI airmau
Of the conference: Herbert c. Hoover.
vice chairman, and the remaining
fourteen members in attendance at
the conference. which began its la
bors in early December.