The Washington herald., 1920-04-19
TAFT SUPPORTS
INDUSTRY PLAN
Thinks Labor Settlement
Scheme Of Conference
Sound. AZ
UNION OF VIEWS
Report Has Benefit Of Free
Expression on All
Sides.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

IS PiouuStioh anu IN feuuciioh Vi
costs secured by the joint efforts OF
the management and the employees
of that department. as of more gen.
eral utility. This is because the en-
ployes can see clearly the relation
between their own efforts and the
resulting return, and no complicat-
ing factors in the making of divi-
dends. for which employees are in no
way responsible, minimize their re-
wards.
Application TO Public Utility Work.
The report considers the applica-
ton Of its general principles to em-
pioyers and employees in public util-
ity work and also to the employees
In various subdivisions of govern
ment, and believes that a modified
form of the same methods it pro-
poses generally can be made useful
IN these fields. The majority of the
commission did not think IL well to
suggest any provisions for the le-
gal prevention of strikes in public
utilities, because II thought the con-
tinuous operation of such utilities
might be secured through the ac-
quiescence of the employees in the
working of machinery created by
the plan.
Mr.. Gregory and Governor Stew
art thought the plan should make
lockouts and strikes in these essen
ual Industries unlawful, pending the
settlement of the dispute. and dur
ing the period covered by an award
accepted by both parties. Mr.. Greg
ory would extend this compulsory
feature 10 the coal mining industry.
but Governor Stewart thought IT
should be limited 20 public utilities.
The plan, shortly stated. includes
National Industrial Board, COM
posed of nine members appointed
by the President and confirmed by
the Senate, three to be chosen from
persons representative of the indus
trial employers, three from persons
representative of Industrial en-
ployes. and three from person.
representative of general interests.
especially qualified by reason of
knowledge or experience on eco
nomic and general questions This
board is to have general SUPER
Hisory power and make rules for
the general administration of the
plan.
Plans Dispute Settlement
Then the United States is to be
divided into a specific number of
Industrial regions. in each OF which
there is to be chairman. to be ap-
pointed by the President. who is
to be representative of the public
interest to. serve for three years,
n n hA a1f frrfk
ment. He is not to take cogniz-
of dispute in which the indus
fled 1t can not be settled by agree
ment of the parties or by existing
machinery. If he takes cognizance
of a dispute in which the indus
trial board thinks he ought not TO
intervene, they may restrain him.
If he does take coenizance. how
ever. he requests each party to the
dispute to select two representa-
tives. The appointment of such
representatives by each side is to
constitute an agreement that the
parties will endeavor in good faith
to adjust the dispute as members
of the regional adjustment confer
ence: and in case of a failure of
unanimous agreement of the con-
ference. that they will accept the
award by the national industrial
board or by an umpire selected by
them on any question relating to
wages. hours and working condi-
tions. Much care is given to the
selection of these representatives
so as to make them truly repre-
sentative.
In addition TO the two thus Sc
lected. two others for each side are
to be selected from two permanent
panels of representative employers
and employees. respectively. appoint
ed by the Secretary Of Commerce
and the Secretary of Labor. after
Consultation with representatives Of
capital and labor.
May Appeal to Industrial Board.
This then makes four representa-
tives of labor and four of capital.
who. with the regional chairman.
constitute. the regional adjustment
conference. If after the vote of the
chairman they unanimously reach a
lconclusion, that is to constitute an
agreement. binding on both parties.
! If they disagree. then there is an
appeal to the industrial board, or
they may take the matter by agree
ment to an umpire. If one side re-
fuses to come in and appoint rep
! Iresentatives. the regional chairman
/ may constitute a board of inquiry
by taking the represe natives from
panels and making an investigation,
with power 10 subpoena witnesses
and to publish a report. On appeals.
| if the industrial board does not find
before lit all the facts needed, it
may require the regional board to
open the case. investigate the facts
REQUIRED. and make a finding for its
assistance. There is nothing in the
whole plan of a compulsory charac-
ter, except that the regional board
of inquiry may compel the atten-
dance and evidence of witnesses
Action under this plan is expressly
excluded whenever other methods
are provided for settlement
Could BE Created.
| 1t is quite evident that a statute
could be drawn creating this ma
chinery under the general powers
of the Federal government, like
those under which the Department
| of Agriculture and the Labor De-
| partment Were established. The
usefulness of the machinery will de-
pend largely upon the discretion of
the Industrial Board and the re-
gional chairman in taking cogni-
zance of labor troubles. 1t really
only tenders its services, and doubt
less only in an extreme case would
it push it's board of inquiry into
a controversy in which either or
neither side declined fits tender. 1t
adopts the plan pursued in respect
to the National War Labor Board