The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-04-05

try. They came to Ottawa, all of them
who could, and we discussed matters all
day last Friday. l laid before them for
consideration certain course of action,
and asked for their views as to its wis
dom, and they gave it their approval
just as it had been given by many lead
ers of labor before. And, as result of
that conference, instead of the parlia
ment or the government saying to Ia
Dor and capital, .Do this, or Do
that we propose appointing small |
commission of five OF seven men who |
will absolutely command the confidence /
of the public, asking them to proceed
to all centers of industry to survey the |
let US have their recommendations as to |
what should be done in the interests of
| both labor and capital before May 10.
And upon that report, upon those rec
concentrations, we propose basing a
| government policy for the promotion
of greater harmony IN the industrial
and labor work
| That inquiry will go so far as to
find out what are the possibilities of
joint control and operation of certain
Industries by labor and capital. 1t may
not be feasible in certain industries; it
may not be as feasible in some indus.
tries as in others; but / am convinced
4 as result of conversations with
industrial workers, that complete dem
ocracy in our industrial life is just as
feasible and just as necessary as com
lplete democracy in our political life
; Continuing, Senator Robertson said
that another reason why labor felt it
J should be given a voice in the control
: of industry, was because of the charge
. against it cf ineffieieney. Employers
made the charge that increased wages
, brought no corresponding increase of
| efficiency from workingmen. That
$ charge. perhaps, was in some measure
Al true. But he was of the opinion that
IF they had joint control of industry;
If employees were jointly interested in
its success with employers, and knew
Y that it was to their own interest to in
J. crease production, the case would bt
!, different.
i q say that this will come abou
some day. said Senator Robertson
h "and in my humble Judgment it is tn,
$. only way by which Canada can be KEEP
free from, industrial conflict. =
Il Senator Robertson added that tn
country had much unemployment, al
u though not nearly as much as had bee
IeaTeu might De the, case SOlbe time ag(
y Last October the government had
8 conference with manufacturers in 0tta
wa, and it had taken the view that, 5
Ut long as the cost of living remained hig
u there should be no reduction in wage
III In conclusion, Senator Robertson sal
: that in all the provinces. with the e,
- ception of British Columbia, the unen
= ployment situation was improving, an
} he felt confident that, within 81
: months. Canada would be faced with a
5 actual shortage of labor. The govern
p ment has established So employment o
~ fees throughout the Dominion. anu the
: were rendering excellent services.
as In tho week ending March % alon
a these offices had had 4,2S9 application
he for employment and had placed LIS
a men in positions. The situation ";
" Throwing every day, and, evcrythir
,r- considered. future prospects were M
such as TO cause worry or alarm.