The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-10

~ ployers and the workers in the Phil
adelphia district of the worlds
greatest industrial sections, is rapidly grow
ing out of the various Industrial cooperative
schemes which appear to be solving the
vexatious labor problems.
Increased production through better CO.
operation" is the motto of the latter day
employers. who add to this the significant
statement that increased production auto
matically means the creation of higher
wages and the lessening of living costs
Cooperative plans in industrial manage
ment by which the employees are given
hand in the actual running of the business
In so far as it pertains to them, at least
are being adopted by numerous large en-
ployers of labor in the district. While the
different systems vary according to the IDEAS
of the various managers the new system
is fundamentally based upon an INDUSTRIAL
council. composed of representatives from
the employees and the management, 10
which all questions concerning the welfare
of either side are submitted
The new idea in industrial management
has proved extremely successful in those
instances where it has been given trial.
Strikes are becoming fewer, and are almost
extinct in plants where the men have been
given a share in the management. Conces-
sions on both sides bring about mutual
respect and understanding and help to alle-
viate the class distrust
Equal Representation.
Equal representation Of the workmen and
the management on adjustment boards
forms the basic idea of the new system
With the manager and the men under him
both sitting at the SINE table discussing
their problems and seeking to solve them
H., hanaf VOL ri, hot
satisfaction soon disappear
Radical labor leaders are viewing the new
order Of things with alarm. 1t means that
eventually-their cult will be thrown into
The discard by the worl0agmen and their
doctrines cast aside. They are bending
every effort to arouse antagonism against
the system. vainly laundering at the workers
that it is but another dodge on the part OF
the employers to exploit them.
The preamble of the Industrial Workers
of the World asserts as it's leading statement
that 1.-THE working class and the employing
class have nothing in common" The new
system tends to bring the two classes to-
gether in common bond, and it is very
embarrassing to the radicals in their efforts
to "fan the flames of discomfort"
A Traction Problem Solved.
One of the most notable opponents of the
new order is ThonlaS II. MltteI pTeSlueHI VI
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company.
The world was electrified recently to hear
that the employees of the p. r. T. had volun-
tarily refused proffered increase In wages.
Then came the astounding news that the
workmen not only declined the higher sal
aries but even offered to Mr.. Mitten half
million dollars from their personal savings
to be used as he deemed wise in easing the
traction company over the financial shoals.
Employers everywhere gasped and asked
how IL all came about. 1t was thing prac-
tcally unheard of. Yet the decision was
made by the employees solely of their own
accord. because they believed that they had
been and would be treated fairly by the man
agement. and they wished to show their APP
probation
In 1910 when the present management
took charge, the rapid transit company faced
a deficit of $31s000 for the year. Numerous
strikes had occurred. Three unions were
operating within the system, doing their ut
most to demoralize labor. The operation of
the transit system remained practically as
It had when ffty-two competing companies
we're still i'm existence. Motormen and con-
ductors were getting % cents out Of every
dollar taken in. The question which con-
fronted the management was how to Increase
the revenue.