Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1920-05-06
LEONARD WOODS
STAND ON LABOR
Its Problems and Those of Capt.
tai Interdependent
man Not a Commodity.

Leonard Wood thoroughly compre-
bends the interdependence of capital
and labor. When they are at odds
with each other disaster results; when
they are united prosperity Is the out
come. There Is no man In America
better fitted to express views OF prac-
teal value on this subject than Wood,
because as an administrator In various
parts Of this country and In Cuba and
the Philippines he has been confronted
by every phase of the labor problems.
The tact and broad sympathies he has
displayed when recently called upon to
handle Misunderstanding between cap
ltal and labor In the acutest forms In
the steel districts at Gary and in the
coal regions Of West Virginia qualify
him to act as leader in the growing
movement looking toward permanent
adjustment Of all disagreements be-
tween the capitalist and the working
man. Wood says:
1--WE must do all we can to encour-
age good business, whether 1t be big
business or small business. II 1t Is
good business and beneficial to the
public II is worthy Of encouragement
II II Is bad business we must control II
and regulate it. Good business means
prosperous labor, and this means In
creased production, and nothing must
be allowed to Interfere with ample
production. 1t is the real remedy for
the high cost of living. Limitation on
production Is an invitation to disaster
disaster which strikes first the poor,
but eventually affects all. We cannot
consider business and labor separately
They are interlocking and interde-
pendent. We must spread the wal
burden over much longer period OF
years than at present contemplated
The present excess income tax is para.
Lying initiative. 1t Is a strangle hold
upon the throat of business which
must be relaxed If American business
Is to have that initiative which will be
necessary to give us our share in the
worlds trade. We must do everything
we can to help on good business, for or
1t depends national prosperity.
Labor and capital In this country
must work together in order to meet
the problems which are going to follow
this worlds war. We do not wish ar
autocracy Of either capital or labor
but a real democracy in both, charac
teriZed by a spirit of cooperation and
hepfulness. We must inject more OF
the human element into our relations
with those about us, whether they be
our associates or our subordnates-
more gathering about the table anC
discussing matters fully and frankly.
Labor Not a Commodity.
1--WE must recognize that the work
lngman is neither a machine nor &
commodity, but that he Is coIlabora
tor with capital. Individual capacity
and ambition must receive encourage
ment and recognition. The employer
must recognize the dignity and status
Of the worker and give him every con
sideraton due The closest possible
contact and the fullest understanding
should be maintained between employ
err and employee. Arrangements 70,
the adjustment of grievances must BIZ
provided which will work smoothly
and promptly. We must do all we car
to improve the workers's living condi
lions, to make his surroundings decen
and attractive to himself and family
His hours OF work must be such as t
give him an opportunity for reasonable
recreation with his family during tn,
hours Of daylight. He should receive {
wage that not only permits him to keel
body and soul together, but enable.
him to lay by something for the future
If these conditions are to be obtained
and maintained labor must recogniz,
that high wages can only be main
tanned under conditions of high pro
duction and high efficiency Capita
uiuSt De puiu III dcCOi uanCe Will tH'
risk Of the enterprise. Those who di
rect and plan must be paid adequately
labor must be adequately paid, ant
after this, II anything remains, come!
the question of an equitable distribu
ton. Many of the more progressive
intelligent and farseeing men are al
ready beginning to give labor partici
patton in this surplus-a share varying
with Its amount.
"The main thing Is for labor ant
capital to pull together In the presen
great crisis, remembering that onl!
through cooperation and frank ant