Evening star., 1920-06-03
JAPANESE SUBMIT
QUERIES ON LABOR
Federation's Attitude Asked
on Various Industrial Prob
lens by Visitors.

Data to complete a survey OF the
industrial situation in the United
States from the standpoint of organ
lied labor were requested for use of
Japanese interests controlling manu-
featuring. mining. banking and ship
ping companies by delegation head
ed by r. Hayashi of Toxic, which was
received at the American Federation
of Labor headquarters here.
Mr.. Hayashi presented credentials
showing that $4,000 employees In
Japan were working for the interests
represented.
He submitted a set Of seven ques-
tions regarded by the Japanese as the
most vital topics in the Industrial
situation of today. President Com
pers did not formally answer. the
questions. although the delegation
was presented with documents show
Dor upon the topics which had come
up in the past
Questions Submitted.
The questions. summarized, are as
follows:
What is the best method Of set
tling industrial disputes?
If capital does not recognize the ne
cessity of organized labor as a CO.
operator. is it thought that the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor will be
forced to adopt the principle that
will aim ultimately at the destruc-
tion of capitalism -
Is it profitable for both employers
and employees to adopt the closed
shop" policy?
Does the Works council plan"
bring good effect to the relation of
employers and employees or will it in
the future?
Is it the moral duty of American la
Dor to try to enforce the decisions of
the ia Dor conference of the league of
nations. although the United States
is not a member of the league? If
so. what is the definite plan of realiz-
ing it?
When labor unions find that a strike
has been used as a weapon and is
mena cling the welfare of the public
should they give up the strike for
public benefit? If so, what is the best
method of settling the trouble be-
tween employers and employees with
out pursuing the strike?
Opinions of Labor Leaders.
The answers to the questions were
not made public officially. Unofficial
ly, it is known that labor leaders hold
the following opinions:
N~eASAAASAS u AaAuolAidl disputes
must be handled with recognition of
the different circumstances which
may arise. Voluntary arbitration is
method advanced by many.
Labor and capital are considered by
la Dor leaders as abstract propositions.
the terms employer and employe be-
ing substituted in concrete cases
Leaders declare that in the abstract
sense, labor realizes that capital is a
necessity. and that since organized la
Dor does not advocate socialism in any
case, the ultimate destruction of capi-
talism is not sought.
The CLOSED shop termed by or
ganiZed labor men as the union
shop" is declared better because of
the Capitalization of productive effort
and the aid to smooth running ma
chinery of production. The open
shop" is a shop of divided units. lead
ers declared. while the union shop"
means solidarity of productive effort.
The Works council plan" would
win or lose, it was declared, upon the
jurisdiction and authorita tiveness
granted to the council members.
Organized labor recognizes the
right of the individual to strike. and
lists the striker in the ranks with the
public. since the striker is part of the
public. The step is declared taken as
a last resort. and brings greater in
convenience to the striker than to the
public.