Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-03-20

tive agreement or would you en-
deavor to have both?
II regard the human equation q
the largest nee of business and
/ think that the only way to acquire
to-man basis is to arrange the basic
hours and pay through a bargain
with a responsible union body, for
then there is no question Of good
ness on the part Of the employer OF
Of contentment on the part Of the
employee. The parties meet az buyers
and sellers on a level plane and be-
cause each has something thai the
other. wants there is no reason on
carried through with the same dig
nifty. with the same mutual satisfac-
ton, and with the same fairness Of
aim on the part OF both sides that
makes q p~resent-day bargain between
business men the beginning OF . re-
~lationship.
Nobody in these days would em:
ploy a salesman who would come
back after having sold a customer
fellow up all right. I got the best
Of him. Any sales manager would
discharge that salesman on the spot,
for he would know that such a man
would destroy and not build up
trade. It is quite. the same way in
dealing. with workers, and I am
speaking not merely from a hypo-
employer.
1--WE have 100 people or 80 in the
headquarters of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor all Of whom are
working under my general direction,
and I do not think that it would be
possible to have a more cordial re-
latSon than exists between Us. They
not only do everything I ask them to
do, but they endeavor to anticipate
my wishes in every respect and quite
to- do.
IF I were an employer Of general
labor I should expect to bargain in
the fairest possible spirit and I be-
lieve that I. should receive fair serv-
Ice In return. Once We remove the
unions suspicion of the employer
and the employers suspicion Of tho
union, there is nothing in the world
to prevent the most cordial relation
the sort Of relation that We all like
we come in contact. The bargain
would settle the questions of hours
and wages; and with them out Of the
way, the road would be open for
truly personal contact.
"When W merchants have con-
cluded a bargain with which both are
satisfied. one or the other usually
says Let's have luncheon or Let's
have dinner n they forget bust
ness and start to know each other.
A similar condition exists in every
place where wages and hours are ar
ranged collectively and in a spirit of
fairness. 1t is wholly contrary to the
American union spirit to have an ex-
cesslve formality in tho relation be-
tween the worker and the man who
Eemployes him. Such forrnality OBJ
ain only when both sides are sus-
p.clous. Remove that suspicion and
as mediator in, no end Of what ap-
peared to be disputes between en-
ployer and employees, and not once
has 1t happened that my decision has
not been not only respected but deep-
Y appreciated BY both sides. And
This has come about simply by remoy-
ing suspicion. For instance, take
the building trades OF Boston. I act
co there az mediator and 1 was>an In
cent Jubilee dinner at which the ren.
resentatives of the employees and en-.
ployers in this great Industry 4
to celebrate their renewed
collective bargain. There were mu-
Y respect and confidence.
me interests Of the employer and
tne employe are In no seense identt.
[cal. Do not confuse that point. they
naY not IN identity OF interest. IN
they have a cooperation of in}ere.'
that same cooperation Of intersst
when EXISTS between q manufactur.
Isr and his best customer. No inteiIi.
GENT manufacturer will sell 10 rnnch