The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-04-03

Washington, April 3.---Jo1nt or ganization of management and em- ployes "as a means of preventing misunderstanding and of securing cooperative effort throughout American industry is proposed by the Industrial Conference appointed by President Wilson in a report to the President maoe public here today.
 The conferees in their report state that they have modified the tentative plan of machinery to adjust disputes n general industry by conference, eonciiation, inquiry and arbitration, announced by the Conference on December 29, 1919 and that they have endeavored to develop methods of prevention rather than adjustment of labor difficulties. The modified plan, devised since the Conference reconvened last January 12, it is said makes machinery available for "col- lective bargaining with only inciden- tai and limited arbitration" The plan has been extended to cover dis putes affecting public utilities other than steam railroads and also to gov ernment and other public employees.
 In addition the report analyses the development of industrial relations, hours of labor, women in industry, child labor, housing, wages, profit ana IlT14I agencies, imitation and high cost of living, agriculture, unemployment and a public employment clearing house.
 The causes of industrial unrest are set forth as including '|the rise in the cost of living, unrestrained specula- ton, spectacular instances of exces- sive profits, excessive accumm ulation and misuse of wealth, inequality and readjustment of Was scnedules, re- lease of ideas and emotions by the war, social revolutionary theories inn ported from Europe, the belief that free speech is restricted. the inter mittency of employment, fear of un- employment, unnecessarily high in fant mortality in industrial centers, loss of personal contact in large in dustrial units and the continuation of a growing belief on the part of both employers and employees that a re- adjustment is necessary to whole some continuity of their united ef- fort
 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 with in the industrial plant itself Primar-
 
 the bottom not from the top" The conference, in expressing it's approval of "employe representation" says 1t is not a field for legislation, because the form which such represen 5ation should take may vary in every plant. For this reason the recommendation is directed solely to managers and employees
 "If the joint organization of man
 IL. or industry fails to reach the col 1ective agreement sayy ,re report, GOT if without such joint organiza- tion- disputes arise which are not settled by existing agencies, then the conference proposes a system Of settlement through a National In dustrial Board, Local Regional Con ference and Boards of Inquiry.
 This plan which the Conference says is based upon American exper- fence and designed to meet American conditions" is national in scope and opera ton and yet decentralized. It is sa: to be different from any thing in operation elsewhere and employs no local authority except the right of inquiry- Its basic idea is stirnu- lation to settlement of peace by the parties in conflict and the enlist Inent of public opinion toward en- forcing that method of settlement.
 The Regional Adjustment Con- ference proposes a board to consist of four representatives selected by the parties to the dispute, and four others in their industry chosen D: them and familiar with their prob. 1ems. It would be presided over by a trained government official, the Re, gional chairman, who would act a: a conciliator. If an unanimous agree ment were reached, it would resuI in a collective bargain having tho same effect as if reached by join organization in the shop.
 Failing to agree unanimously tn matter. with certain restrictions would go to the National Industria Board, unless the disputants preferet q mutually chosen umpire.
 Meanwhile both parties to the dis pute have agreed that there shall b. no interference with production pending the processes of adjustment If the parties. or either of them, how ever refuses voluntarily to submi the dispute to the processes of tn plan of adjustment, Regiona Board of Inquiry is formed by tn Regional chairman of two employer and two employees from the industr and not parties to the dispute. Thi
 
 records and publish its findings as guide to public opinion.
 The National Industrial Board i Washington would have genera oversight of the workings of tn plan which fn addition to being ap pifcable to public utilities. provide machinery for prompt and fair ad 5ustmsnt Of wages and workin conditions on the part of gov ernment employees" The plan ir wolves no penalties. it is said, othe than those imposed by public opir ion. It does not impose compulsor representation. It does not deny th right to strike. It does not subm to arbitration the policy of "closed or "open" shop.
 Refarding "ernp1oye represent; tion'' the report says "the subject h; been discussed under such dffferel names and forms as shop comni
 tees, shop councils, works council representative government in il dustry and others, but the Confe-en,
 says it prefers the generic term ha
 ing in mind the successful appIicatie of the principle to various aetfvfti
 outside, well as within the pure
 industrial field,