The Washington herald., 1919-10-11
VIEWS OF CAPITAL
AND LABOR VARY
IN CONFERENCE HERE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE


ment In an industry should de-
velop contact and full opportunity
for interchange OF view between
management and men through in
diyidual or collective dealing or
combination of both.
Say Labor NH Commodity.
Labor contends that labor is aot
a commodity. but a human element
in industry. and the point at which
capital leans furthermost to any
labor demand is upon this con-
tention. Labor asks for an equal
share in boards of Cancellation and
an independent self-supporting
status in matters to be arbitrated.
Capital definitely declares that
there should be no Improper limi-
tation or impairment of the exer-
else by management OF its essential
function of Judgment and direction
in these matters" Which. being
translated. seems to mean that ar
biration shall b restorted to when
and only when capital feels that
the question at stake is arbitrable.
Labor always has contended that
its unions had a different status
from the associations of capital:
that labor unions could not be re-
sponsible. legally or financially, for
their acts. as the purpose of the
union is not to make profits for it.
self but to better conditions for its
individual members. In yesterdays
declaration capital demands that la
Dor shall assume the same legal and
financial responsibility that a cor
poration assumes which is trying to
make money for its stockholders.
Demand Union Bargsising.
The unions. according to the view
of labor. hold that contract between
the men and their masters shall be
through unions. Capital stands for
the freedom OF contract, which, if
granted. would make hours of serv-
ice and quality of production Of
each worker subject to an indiyi-
dual contract.
Labor would put all employees,
whether working for private own
ers in industry. public utilities, or
the government, in one category.
giving all men the right to strike if
displeased with their conditions of
labor. The employers declaration
workers in private industry to
strike. but withhoIds it from work.
ers in public utilities and workers
for the government. Labor always
has contended against the voca-
tional training school and hold that
youth should be trained in the shop
Capital makes a strong demand not
only for vocational training. but in
school md in the shop.
Thesv contrasting demands of la
Dor and capital sem to produce a
deadlock. Yet the declaration of the
employers carefully explains that
these tenets are only "a statement
Of principles"
Problems Are Serious.
And the document issued by the
employers ends with a declaration
that the problems are so serious
snd difficult that such method must
be worked out by the individual es-
Establishments in conjunction with
their employees and by industry as
a whole"
The crux OF the whole difference
centers about the trades union and
its relation to industry. Eliminate
the union and its contentious and
one sees a rather large area of
agreement between labor and capi-
tai in the two statements. The en-
ployers' declaration against limita-
tion of production would find no
very active labor opposition in
America Given satisfactory hours,
wages, and environment in labor,
limiting the product. in so far as It
has been introduced into American
industry would be eliminated Only
a few trades practice this sabotage.
Under the head of "the establish
ment of q productive unit" tn d.
-claration of the employers leaves
the way open for the establishment
of shop councils 1t declares against
Industrial council of the trade, but
its declaration Is not a fighting de-
claration. And undoubtedly shop
councils and councils OF a nation
wide or regional scope would be
established in every industry.
Could Use Rockefeller Plan.
The Rockefeller resolution for
shop councils for the mutual dis
cussion of wages. hours, shop and /
living conditions upon a fraternal
rather than a paternal basis easily |
could be set up under this clause of
the declaration of the employers, |
and Il would be no trouble to graft |
upon that wide councils in the trade. |
That is a vital point, and it Is one
where labor and capital and the
public easily may meet upon COM
mon ground
Scientifically devised safety ma
thinery.s is specifically indorsed.
which b q step toward the recog-
milton OF the employers right to
control shop conditions The prin-
riple of the living wage Is accepted
by the employers with practically
D : scrupIes. That is q vital princi-J