The Washington herald., 1920-05-15
WORKERS ASK
ONLY RIGHTS
Hoover Tells Senate Com
mittee Labor Doesn't
Seek Benevolence.
CONFEREES PLAN BEST
Former Food Administra-
ton Commends Industrial
Boards Suggestion.
CONFEREES PLAN BEST
CoNr1NuEp PROM PAGE oNE.

Continued FROM PAGE ONE.
Industrial problem could not be set.
led in the United States by revolu-
tionary legislation by Congress. Co
operative agreements between en-
ployer and employees for public
statement of their respective sides to
controversy as suggested by the
President's second inaugural confer
enCe, offers, he said, the best solu-
tion Of the question thus far sug-
gested.
The machinery set up in that
plan" Mr.. Hoover said. avoids the
pitfalls and dangers of compulsory
arbitration and the denial of the
right to strike. 1t is my opinion
that it is the best step and the only
step to be taken until the whole
problem Of the relations Of capital
and labor has had further develop
ment-
Repression Not n Remedy.
We have not arrived at any def
mite, positive settlement of the
problem and the only Legislative
procedure should be based on the
experience gained in recent years.
There are some things which under
lie the whole relationship between
capital and labor. l do not believe
this relationship can be settled by
this relationship can be settled by
as the attempted solution of dis
putes. l do not believe that rela-
tionship can be settled by any form
OF legal repression"
What would you do If YOU were
member OF Congress trying to find
basis for permanent Industrial
peace and a settlement of the prob
lens that now confront us?" asked
Senator William $. Kenyon of Iowa,
chairman of the committee.
Il would endeavor to work out
something like this industrial con-
ference plan. which is a step to-
ward which there could be no right
eous antagonism," Mr.. Hoover re-
piled Moderate labor leaders can
have no objection to this method"
Tendency Toward COmpuIsIOn.
Mr.. Hoover cautioned members of
the committee against revolution
ary legislative steps," the use of in
functions. attempts to deny the right
to strike. compulsory arbitration
and Industrial courts. Legal repres-
sion and the injunction resulting in
Jail sentences, he declared, leads to
the border of martyrdom and tends
to make for compulsory employ
ment and a compulsory wage"
Extremist leaders on either side
who propose revolutionary steps
will not settle the problem" he add
ed. and insisted that the force of
public opinion is the only pres
sure" which can be safely applied"
in industrial controversies.
collective bargaining must take
IN" form OF an agreement as to
standards and conditions of labor.
1t is not an agreement as to en-
pIoyment on either side. Collective
bargaining cannot stand il there is
I" he constant violation of conf
dencc."
Doubtful of Kansas Plan.
In response to requests for his
views Of the Kansas law establish
ing system of industrial courts.
Mr. Hoover said 1t might develop
some thing Of benefit. but that his
PERSONAL view Of such measures was
that they could not succeed. 4
national application Of the Kansas
idea. he contended, would in effect
substitute government control OF
luluSlTy IOT COHlpeIltlOU-
Il do not want to condemn the
Kansas law" he told the committee.
"It is practically a reproduction Of
the Australian laws. The Kansas
act may he an experiment worth
trying on American soil despite the
failure Of the Australian laws to
effect the results anticipated. My
own opinion Is that such a law can
not succeed"
An Industrial Code.
Asked by Mr.. Kenyon if he did
not believe an industrial code uIti-
mateIy must be worked out as the
basis for all industrial settlements? :?
Mr.. Hoover replied:
Ultimately there must be such a
code, but it must develop out Of ex-
perience and not spring from legis-
latiye action Take the question of
the eight-hour day. That is not a
matter of universal application but
merely an approximation. because in
some Industries eight hours is too
long a days work. The question of
living wage is also variable"
Mr.. Hoover held it to be virtually
impossible for Congress to legislate
intelligently as to hours of service.
wages ana working conditions He
pointed out that wages should take
into account the cost of food, cloth
Ing. housing, education. savings and
the enjoyment of all benefits of the
civilization OF the times. The fun
damental point OF attack. he suC-
Eested. must be better shop relation
between employer and worker,
Profit Sharing Plans.
Senator Lawrence c. PbinDs u.
publican. of Colorado. a former al
rector in the Carnegie Steel Con-
pany. inquired whether the wItnsss
favored the bonus and profit sharirr
plans OF many corporations, calling
attention to reports that labor Iaade
ers felt such measures should he
discouraged.
Profit sharing plans" Mr.. Hoovar
said, work better with executives
and office employees than win
skilled laborers- Labor has become
suspicious Of such devices because
they have been used to the detrI-
How About Your {