The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-18
LABOR MUST HAVE
SQUARE DEAL, SAYS
GEORGE. R. JAMES

There is more of the spirit Of CO.
operation and willingness to look at
the other fellows point Of view between
the great employers Of labor and the
leaders Of organized labor now than has
ever existed before in this country"
said George r. James Friday.
Mr, James was speaking Of the work
OF the Industrial board of the depart
ment Of commerce, of which he Is 2
member, and of his impressions gained
from conferences held by that board in
washington, where he has been for the
past month. H.
Members of the board were selected
from former members of the great war
industries board, whose labors did so
much to stabilize business conditions
during tho war 1t was brought into
being through the action of men of
large vision, who realized that unless
the relations between the government
the great industries and organized labor
We're kept harmonious after the close
OF the war there would be great danger
of labor trouble, of the throwing out OF
employment OF many thousands of men
and OF disastrous business and FINANCIAL
conditions.
AIR, James was connected with one of
the departments Of the war industries
board during the war and has been in
touch with general business conditions
since then through his connection with
government agencies as well as through
the financial and business enterprises
in which he has personal interest.
IL believe" he said Friday that the
true spirit Of service will finally gov
ern conditions in our national business
life. The board OF which / am mem
ber realizes that until the cost OF living
is lowered. and II is fully $50 per cent
higher generally than II was five years
ago, the wages now paid laboring men
must be maintained, and tAe reuuetion
in the cost of manufactured pfoductS
must be borne by the capital engaged
in such enterprises, not by the labor
employed by them
%We have tried to make this Idea
clear In every conference we have held.
We tried to work out that principle
when we fixed the basic price OF steel
products and Of coal, and we are In
an argument right now with the head
OF the railroad administration, Mr.,
Hines, who thought the prices we fixed
were not low enough.
THAT controversy has been put up to
President Wilson, but | see IN recent
newspaper publications that Mr., Hines
has stated that the railroads are now
buying steel and coal for their imme-
diate needs at the prices fixed by US
and that the public will also he given
d square deal in the price Of coal"
Mr.. James has hat which he be-
Reves Is the most costly one now worn
by any Memphian o,
THAT hat cost me last year Just $40
in tips to Washington coat and hat
| boys" he said, as he removed 1t from
his desk as a party Of friends entered
II Kept tab on It, and | know, If
hadn't been too busy" he added, 81
| could have made fortune early IN thu
war by renting apartments in Washing
| ton and subeasing them at profit o
about 900 per cent"
! Fellow members OF the industria
| hoard with Mr.. James are J. N. Peek
! the chairman; T. C, Powell, represent
Ing the railroads and government pur'
! Chasing agencies; Anthony Caminettl
Commissioner OF immigration, REPRESENT
| Ing labor; VIM. NJ, Ritter. S, T. Busl
| aud II X Glenn