Evening star., 1920-03-21

safeguarded and their grievances given prompt and
effective consideration is emphasized. Unless gov
ernment employees fairly treated. we cannot
expect from them the conscientious attitude to-
ward their work which produces the highest eff
cheney. The government mist be Just employer.
The conference believes that the present meth
Cd of fixing the compensation of many public en-
nloyes is Inadequate, and that it does not provide
for that periodical revision which is essential when
power of wages are shifting rapidly Therefore it
has attached to its proposed plan of adjustment
section in which provision is made for meeting
this need. Findings of any adjustment machinery
IN the case of public employees must necessarily
have the force merely of recommendations to the
government agency having power to fix wages,
hours and working conditions of the employees
cerned. AS matter of principle, government is
not in position to permit its relations with its
employees to be fixed b" arbitration. The plan. as
modified therefore. avoids arbitration. There is.
IN the case of public employees. appeal to the
national industrial board and no reference to an
umpire. The board of inquiry is also omitted from
the modified plan.
1t is desirable that the utmost liberty of action
should be accorded government employees. wholly
consistent. however, with the obligations thev are
under to the state. No objection should be inter
posed to their association for mutual protection
the advancement of their common interests and
the presentation Of grievances On the other hand,
the government has right to expect and to re-
ceve from them undivided LOYALTY.
Government employees individually are free to
leave the service. but group should be permitted
to strike threaten concerted cessation of work.
This opinion is expressed in the constitutions of
number of employees organizations, and the prin-
cip1e should be generally accepted.
The further question arises to the propriety
of such organizations or their members ahiiiating
with other organizations which hold to the right to
strike.
Policemen and others whose duties relate to
the administration of justice and the preservation
of life and property should not join, or retain
active membership in, or be affiliated with, or
carnations that resort to the strike. This cou-
clusion is based upon the principle that they
should be above any suspicion in the public mind
of partia1ity in the discharge of their official
dutes
For many years union labor refused to grant
charters to policemen's unions and this policy has
the stamp of public approval today.
The case of members of fire departments is
analogous Their functions are closely associated
with those of the police They are likewise
charged with the protection of life and property
and are subject to call in of riot. Although
for some years charters have been granted to
hremen's unions by organized labor, number of
to the weight of public opinion
In denying to policemen and others whose
duties relate to the administration of Justice and
the preservation of life and property the privilege
of striking and of afliating with outside labor or
carnations society must recognize that double
emphasis is placed upon the obligation fairly to
compensate these special public servants and to
insure the prompt consideration of the grievances
which they may individually or by right of asso-
citation among themselves collectively present
The conference has been unable to agree upon
any recommendation to the propriety of the
afflaton of other classes of public employees with
organizations which resort to support the strike