Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-31
INDUSTRIAL PEACE
URGED D|NMESSAGE
Chamber Of Commerce New
Year Appeal Asks Labor and
Capital to Cooperate
SAYS FUTURE is BRIGHT

The New Years salutatory Of the
industrial relations committee of the
Chamber Of Commerce to Philadelphia
employers and employees, as drafted by
Ernest T. Trigg, chairman of the com
mittee, follows:
with the beginning of a new year
the industrial relations committee of
the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
sends Its greetings to the employers ana
the employees In the Philadelphia district
and expresses the sincere hope that the
coming twelve months may be free from
industrial disturbances of every nature.
1t hopes, too, the new year may usher
IN an era OF greater understanding be-
tween employers and employees, and a
true appreciation of the dependence each
has upon the other, with q full realiza-
tion Of the fact their basic aims and in =
terests are mutual.
Labor is dependent upon capital
for employment, Tor management, for
tools with which to work and for the
markets into which the products of toll
are disposed. Capital Is dependent upon
labor for the production with which to
supply the demand It creates.
Industrial Relations Improve
''The old saying, United we stand,
divided we fall, applies nowhere with
greater force than In the relationship
between employer and employe.
1T is encouraging to note the in
creasing number Of industrial plants
where employers and employees nre
Jointly working out their own problems
in a spirit Of sympathy, fairness and
Justness. The recent conference be-
tween certain officials of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, headed by General At
terbury, and representatives of the en-
ployes of that great system Is the most
outstanding example Of the moment.
After all, it Is fact that the
problems and details of operation in
each plant or unit Of employment arc
peculiar to it and the adjustment Of diff
ferences therein can only be effected
intelligently and permanently by a mu-
tually sympathetic understanding.
"It Is greatly to be hoped employers
who have not already taken upon them =
selves the responsibility for q proper
will, in the coming year. make this their
first business in an honestly human
way. taking the time necessary to study
and understand the viewpoint, the de
sires and the necessities of their EN-
ployes.
For various reasons, which may
have seemed good and sufficient, too
many employers have neglected to give
proper consideration to the human rela-
tions with their employees; they have
failed to provide proper incentives and
encouragement and have done little or
nothing to the end that their employees
should become more loyal, taking an in
terest in the welfare of the business and
thinking along constructive, healthful
lines,
Arbitrary Acts Deprecated
''In the absence Of this type of lead
ership emanating from the employer the
vacancy thereby created has too fire.
quently been filled by the radical
spokesman who has found an entrance
and q more or less fertile field for anti.
production and anti American propa- =
ganda. Employers facing this sort Of a
situation should examine themselves
and the course they have pursued be-
fore they criticize their workmen too
severely.
1T has been reported that some en-
ployers, charging that their employees
took advantage Of them during the war
by curtailing production and constantly
demanding more money, intend now,
when they have what they call the
whip hand, to make their employees pay
the penalty.
We cannot too strongly deprecate
this attitude and condemn any attempt
to put 1t into effect. While 1t Is true
that there is unemployment at the pres.
ent time, 1t is our sincere hope that no
employer will attempt to take. ad-
vantage Of 1t for his own personal gain.
III in the general liquidation Of
values In any industry a reduction IN
ton, 1t should come only after all rea-
sonable effort has been made to main
tain the present level through the prac-
tice of economy and through greater
production on the part Of labor Itself.
Keep Employees Informed
''We earnestly urge all employers to
make the first step in the liquidation Of
wages through encouraging their work.
men to secure greater production and to
paying the present rates so
long as 1t Is possible to do so. We urge
upon employers. too, that they, devise
for informing employees
with regard to the general conditions in
the business, and that when wage re.
ductions become necessary. IL they do,
that the reasons for il are frankly and
fully given to the workers.. This should
be done In a clear, understandable way,
30 each employe has a correct apprecia-
ton Of the situation. and thereby is
encouraged to put his best efforts into
his work.
1--WE furthermore earnestly urge that
every effort be made by employers to
prevent unemployment by making work
Tor thier employees In every way possible
until greater industrial activity Is re-
sumed, and that employers and employees
20 operate unselfshly and In the interest
Of the public, as we'll as In thier own In
terest, to secure an early resumption
Of industrial activity.
"If both employers and employees,
their depenaence upon one an
other, will quit finding fault. one with
the other, and In place thereof put forth
An honest effort 10 understand and ap-
Dreciate the others problems and view
points, and endeav0r to help, instead Of
hinder, then, and not until then. viii
We reach q satisfactory and permanent
adjustment of all labor difficulties.
when we rach that place, then oil
II the time and money wasted today In
needless disputes or Misunderstanding
will be turned into productive perform
,nce to the benefit, the honor and the
glory Of this great nation and every one
" its citizens"