New-York tribune., 1920-03-21
Presidents Conference Says
Joint Organization of Man
agement and Employees
Would Prevent Trouble
Original Plan Extended
Now Covers Disputes Affect
ing Public Utilities Other
Than Railroads

WASHINGTON. March 20.--Joint or
ganization of management and en-
rioyees cas- means of preventing mis-.
understanding and of securing co-opera
tive effort" throughout American in.
dustry is proposed, by the Industrial
Conference appointed by President
Wilson, in a report to the President
made public here to-day.
The conferees in their report state
that they have modified the tentative
plan of machinery to adjust disputes
in general industry by conference, con-
cliation, inquiry and arbitration, an
nounced by the conference on Decem-
Der %, 1873. and that they have en-
deavored to develop methods of pre-
vention rather than adjustment Of
labor difficulties. The modified plan
devised since the conference recon
vened last January II, it is said, makes
machinery available for collective bar
gaining with only incidental and linn
ted arbitration" The plan has been ex-
tended to over disputes affecting pub.
and also to government and other en-
p!oyees.
In addition the report analyses the
development of industrial relations,
hours of labor. women in industry
child labor, housing, wages, profit
sharing and gain sharing, thrift agen-
cles, Initiation and high cost of living,
agriculture, unemployment and pub
lie employment clearing house.
The causes of industrial unrest are
set forth as including "the rise in the
cost of living, unrestrained specula-
tion, spectacular instances of excessive
profits, excessive accumulation and
misuse of wealth, inequality and read
justment of wage schedules, release of
ideas and emotions by the war, social
revolutionary theories imported from
Europe, the belief that free speech is
restricted, the intermittency of en-
ployment, fear of unemployment, un-
necessarily high infant mortality in
industrial centers, loss of personal con-
tact in large industrial units and the
part of both employers and employees
that a readjustment is necessary to a
wholesome continuity of their united
effort"
Industrial problems vary not only
with each industry, the report says,
but in each establishment There
fore the strategic place to begin battle
with misunderstanding is within the
industrial plant itself. Primarily the
settlement must come from the bot
tom, not from the top" The confer
encc, in expressing its approval of
"employee representation" says 1T is
not field for legislation, because the
form which such legislation should
nE mo IN ,o1o H.
this reason the recommendation is di-
rected solely to managers and en-
plovees.
IF the joint organization Of man
agement and employees in the plant
or industry fails to reach the collec-
tive agreement" says the report, o.
if without such Joint organization dis
putes arise which are not settled by
existing agencies, then the conference
proposes system Of settlement
through a national industrial board,
local regional conference and board of
inquiry.
This plan, which the conference
says is based upon American expert
ence and designed to meet American
conditions" is national in scope and
Vet decentralized. It\is said to be diff
ferent from anything in operation else
where, and employs no local author
ity except the right of inquiry. It's
basic idea is stimulation to settlement
OF peace by the parties in conflict,
and the enlistment OF public opinion
toward that method of settlement.
The Regional Adjustment Conference
proposes board to consist of four
representatives selected by the parties
to the dispute, and four others in their
industry chosen by them and familiar
with their problems. 1t should be pre-
sided over by trained government
official, the regional chairman, who
would act as a co.nciiator. If a unani-
nous agreement were reached it would
result in collective bargain, hav-
ing the same effect as if reached by
JOINT organization in the shop.
Will Not Hinder Production
Failing to agree unanimously the
matter, with certain restrictions. would
go to the National Industrial Board,
unless the disputants preferred a
mutually chosen umpire.
Meanwhile both parties to the dis
pute have agreed that there shall be no
interference with production pending
the processes of adjustment. If the
parties, or either of them, however, re-
fuse voluntarily to submit the dispute
to the processes of the plan of adjust
iieHl' d regional board OF inquiry is
formed by the regional chairman of
two employers and two employees from
the industry and not parties to the dis
pute This board may subpoena wit
nesses and records and publish it's find
lngs as a guide to public opinion.
The National Industrial Board in
washington would have general over
slSht OF the workings of the plan
winch, IN addition to being applicable
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