New-York tribune., 1920-03-21
CiOe Workers a Voice:
Labor Board Aduises.

ernmenC employees. Inc plan involves
no penalties, it is said, other than
those imposed by public opinion. 1t
does not impose compulsory represen-
tation. 1t does not deny the right to
strike. 1t does not submit to arbitra
tion the policy of "closed" or "open'
shop.
Hope Move May Spread
Regarding employee representa-
tion" the report says "the subject has
been discussed under such different
names and forms as shop committees,
shop councils, works councils. repre-
sentative government in industry and
others, but the conference says it pre-
fers the generic term, having in mind
the successful application of the prin-
ciple to- various activities outside as
we'll as within the purely industrial
field.
These suggestions" says the report
referring to the help which the con
ference received from both employers
ana employees, clearly proceed from
a genuine desire that the movement for
tute for direct personal contact may
spread in accordance with sound prin-
ciples and be kept from perversion
which would threaten the ideas last
ing usefulness by making it an agency
of attack rather than means to
peace"
The idea of "employee representa-
tlon," the report says, has aroused op-
position from two sources, viz, en-
ployers who still adhere to the theory
that labor is commodity, view which
is said to be steadily disappearing, and
trade union leaders whos regard shop
representation as subtle weapon di-
rccted against the unions.
No Royal Road to Peace
Employee representation" the con-
ference says, Golfers no royal road to
industrial peace. No employer should
suppose that merely by installing some
system of shop representation he can
be assured, without continued effort,
OF harmony and increased production.
Doubtless there will be failures where
the plan is adopted as a fad or a
panacea. 1t is only a means whereby
sincerity Of purpose, frank dealing and
ests may bring mutual advantage"
Relative to collective bargaining the
conference "sees in frank acceptance
of this principle the most helpful ap-
proach to industrial peace" and states
that it believes that the great body of
the employers of the country accept
that principle. The difference of opin-
ion, 1T says, appears in regard to the
method of representation. Bargains of
certain kinds between employers and
employees do not lend themselves read
lily to legal enforcement, and the con-
ference therefore expresses the belief
that, for the present at least, enforce
ment must rest substantially upon
good faith"
Fixing Hours of Labor
Regarding hours of labor. the con-
ference states that experience has
demonstrated that they should be fixed
in industrial establishments "at point
consistent with the health of the en-
ployees and with proper opportunity
for rest and recreation, there being in
all cases provision for one days rest
III seven"
The conference further finds that
from the standpoint of public interest
cit is fundamental that the basic wages
of all employees should be adequate to
maintain the employee and his family
in reasonable comfort and with ade-
quate opportunity for the education of
his children. When the wages of any
group fall below this standard for any
length of time the situation becomes
dangerous to the well-being of the
state" AS for profit sharing being re-
garded as a complete solution of indus
trial problems, the conference saws
that while it has promise in some d.
rections, it cannot by. itself be consid-
cred to be Of far-reachng effect Never
theless," the report says, "the field is
one In which sincere experiment may
add real knowledge of desirable pro-
cedure."
The Child Labor Problem
Touching on the subject of child
labor, the conference says "sheer pro-
hlbition of child labor is, at best, only
negative attack upon the problem. 1t
is not throughly effective in promoting
the economic welfare of the nation
unless the time spent by the child in
industry is devoted to ADEQUATE school
ing and to activity which will develop
his physical well-being." The report
announces the startling fact" that of
the b,516,163 illiterate persons over ten
years of age in the United States more
than 68 per cent weres native born. At
tention is called to the fact that the
Federal government up to the present
makes no provision which assures the
unemployment of children in street
trades and various blind alley occupa-
tions during the time they should be
at school"
The conference states that in pre-
senting its recommendations "thev
are not merely designed to tide over
troublesome period of economic re-
adjustment. Many of the evils pointed
out" it says, "were in existence before
the war and will remain in existence
II steps are not taken to remedy them. /"
In conclusion, the report says, the re-
forms advocated are urged mot with
any feeling of panic, but with the
belief that they will not only contrib
ute largely toward the elimination of
the causes of industrial strife, but that
they will make for the introduction in
American industry of those democratic
principles which constitute the most
precious heritage of the American
The report is signed by Secretary
OF Labor Wilson, as chairman; Herbert
Hoover, as vice chairman, and the fol-
lowing other members of the confer
ence: Martin H. Glynn, Thomas w.
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