The Washington herald., 1920-03-25

Of cooperation can be established
that will advance the conditions OF
labor and secure increased produc-
tivity.
In consideration of a broad. COM
prehensive, national policy, the &C n
terence had before il four possible
alternative lines of action First,
the attempt to hew out a national
policy in the development Of the
progressive forces at work for let
ter understanding In industry under
such conditions as would maintain
self-government in industry itself /;
or, secondly, to adopt some Of the
current plans of industrial courts,
involving summary decision with
Jail for refusal to accept. such as
that initiated in the State of Kan
sas: or. thirdly, the naturalization
at least of the service upon which
the very life of the community de-
pends; fourthly. to do nothing.
In a survey of the forces max
ing for self-government in industry,
the conference considered that def
mite encouragement must be given
to the principles of collective bar
gaining, of conciliation. of arbitra-
tion. but that such forces could not
develop in an atmosphere of legal
repression. There is but little con-
fiict of view as to- the principle of
collective bargaining and its vital
corollary, fidelity to the bargain
made"
How Government In to Act.
After explaining that the confer
ence advises that the government
intervene to prevent conflicts be-
tween capital and labor. Mr.. Hoover
told of the conference plan in detail.
The conference has proposed to
set up a small amount of govern
mental machinery, comprising a
chairman, covering various regions
in the United States. with a central
board in Washington. as a definite
organization for the promotion of
these agencies" he said. "It has
believed that this is a step con-
sonant with the normal development
Of our institutions and the progress
sive forces already in motion, and
in such. steps lie the greatest hope
of success.
No one is compelled to submit
TO the machinery established. but
where the employer and employees
refuse to enter into or fail in bar
gaining. then througe the use of this
machinery the public stimulates
them to come together under condi-
tions of just determination Of the
credentials of their representatives.
The plan is. therefore. develop
ment Of the principle of collective
bargaining. 1t is not founded on
the principle of arbitration or COM
pulsion. 1t Is designed to prevent
the losses through cessation of pro-
duction due to conflict, but, beyond
this, to build up such relationship
between employer and employe as
will not only mitigate such disaster,
but will ultimately extend further
into the development of the great
mutual ground of interest of in
creased production and under condi-
tfons of satisfaction to both sides.
Tt is part of the conception of
the conference that only in bargain
ing and mutual agreement can there
be given that free play of economic
forces necessary to adjust the COM
pick conditions under which our in
dustries must function.
Reduction of conflict in indus
try Is the phase that not only looms
large in the public mind. but Is the
public exhibit of greatest mark of
failure In Industrial relations. The
imminence of conflict Is evidence Of
failure to have either discussion or
to arrival at mutual agreement.
Public Opinion a Strong Element.
Therefore, under the plan of the
conference, that mutual agreement
is the best basis for prevention of
conflict, the second step in the con-
ference proposals is that there
should be penalty for failure to
submit to such processes. That PEN
atty Is a public inquiry into the
causes of the dispute and the proper
ventilation to public opinion as to
its rights and wrongs.
The strength OF the penalty is
based upon the conviction that
neither side can afford to lose pub
lie good will. Pressure to rectituds
by government investigation is
distinctly an American institution.
1t Is not an Intervention of public
interest that is usually welcomed.
In the plan of this conference, this
general repugnance to investiga-
ton Is depended upon as a persua.
sive influence to the parties of the
conflict to get together and settle
their own quarrels. They are given
the alternative of investigation or
collective bargaining under per-
suasive circumstances.
in order to Increase the moral
pressures surrounding the investi-
cation, either one Of the parties to