Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-25
Industrial Democracy

the people Of Maine to follow.
Industrial Democracy
The troubles Of labor and capital
always smouldering like an inter-
mittent volcano. now and then burst
ing forth in catastrophe. have existed
since the era Of industrialism began.
Enlightened opinion Of the public. the
employers and the workers has come
to the conclusion that they are not
inevitable. and that therefore they
should be done away.
The two chief causeS Of industrial
troubles are:
misunderstanding or ignorance
Of conditions.
@Feelings Of arbitrary unfairness
or unreasonableness on the part of
employers or workmen.
Both have gone on the illogical as
sumption that each il the enemy Of
the other and that each Is entitled to
get as much as possible out Of the
other for as little effort as possible.
Thus has been bred suspicion, antag-
onism and outright bitter warfare.
Wherever this has been true. produc-
ton has been kept below normal.
waste and inefnciency have resulted
with loss to society as a whole.
Strange to say many years Of expert
enee have been necessary to teach
this simple fact, but it is being con-
stantly recognized today and steps
are being taken to bring about a bet
ter time in industry.
The trend Of the age is steadily
toward democracy and more democ-
racy. Men who understand what de-
mocracy means and what industry is,
are becoming convinced that the ap-
plication Of democracy to industry is
the solution Of industrial troubles.
The fundamental feature Of democ-
racy 10 recognition Of the individual.
He whose individuality is recognized
in education. in religion. in govern
ment, in society. certainly is not sat-
isfied to work under an autocratic in
dustrialism which takes no more ac-
count Of him than one Of the cogs in
the machine he tends. All dealings
between men must take into consid-
Grafton the human element. EN-
ployers have a right to expect their
worlsmen to be human and worlmen
have the right to expect humanity in
their employers. It is the duty OF
both to live up to the expectation.
Industrial democracy means the
pooling Of the interests Of capital and
labor. joint councils. a coming to-
gether and an understanding of each
others view points and the needs OF
the business. It means that the
worhmen as well as the employers
have voice in the conduct Of the in
dustry. and it may mean that they
may be part owners Of tie business.
Every productive industry con.
tains also a third factor. management
The management Is the executive
part Of it which takes the capital az
a basis. puts gether the equipment
makes the plans, sets men at work
and keeps the plant running. It IL
the connecting link between capita
and labor. and is morally charged
with the responsibility Of promoting
harmony between them, as well a
with the responsibility Of rolling VI
dividends. Certain Arms have hi
upon the happy scheme Of allowing
the workmen to elect their own man.
ayers. subject to the approval Of the
heads Of the business. It has worked
wonders for the managers thus elect.
ed realize that they owe their places
to the men and do not dare take ad-
vantage Of them or bully them.
Another most modern idea about
industry is that it is form Of social
service as well as means Of pro-
ducing wealth. This introduces the
fourth factor. the public. for whom
all production is carried on. Not
only does the public use the goods
but it is vitality affected by the kind
Of plant which makes them. A plant
that is well organized. we'll managed,
in which the workmen are contented
and willing to do q days work for q
days pay is incomparably more ef-
ficieut than one run on the SPY sys-
tenn where everybody IL trying to get
everybody else. Very efficient pro-
duction makes possible high wages.
and very high wages make for a high
standard Of living. The American
standard Of living 10 higher than any
where else in the world. but 1t can be
made stu higher. In the last analysis