The Monmouth inquirer., 1920-04-29
LEONARD WOODS ].
STAND ON LABOR
its Problems and Those of Capt.
tai Observation-Disclosures
man Not a Commodity

: Leonard Wood thoroughly compre-
hends the fnterdependence of capital
and labor. When they are at odds
with each other disaster results; when
they are united prosperity is the out
come. There Is no man In America
better fitted to express views of prac7
tical value on this subject than Wood,
because as an administrator in various
parts of this country and in Cuba and
the Philippines he has been confronted
by every phase Of the labor problems
The tact and broad sympathies he has
displayed when recently called upon to
handle Misunderstanding between caps
stal and labor In the acutest forms In
the steel districts at Gary and in the
coal regions OF West Virginia qualify
him to act as leader in the growing
movement looking toward permanent
adjustment Of all disagreements be-
tween the capitalist and the working
man. Wood says: Il
"We must do all we can to encourf
age good business, whether, 1t be big
business or small business II 1t Is.
good business and beneficial to the
public 1t Is worthy Of encouragement; !;
II It IL bad business we must control It
and regulate 1t. Good business means
prosperous labor, and this means in
creased production, and nothing must
be allowed to interfere with ample
production. It is the real remedy for
the high cost of living. Limitation on
production Is an invitation to disaster
disaster which strikes first the poor,
but eventually affects sail. We cannot
consider business and labor separately.
They are lnterlocking and interde-
pendent. We must spread the war
burden over a much longer period of
years than at present contemplated.
The present excess income tax is para
Lying initiative. 1t Is a strangle hold
upon the throat of business which
must be relaxed If American business
Is to have that initiative which will be
necessary to give US our share in the
worlds trade. We must do everything
ws can to. help on good business, for on
It depends national prosperity.
aLabor and capital In this country
must work. together In order to meet
the problems which are going to follow
this worlds war. We do not wish an
autscracy of either capital or labor,
but a real democracy In both, charac-
terized by spirit of cooperation and
helpfulness. We must inject more of
the human element into our relations
with those about US, whether they be
0ur associates or our subordinates-
more gathering about the table and
discussing matters fully and frankly.
Laber Net q Commodity.
''We must recognize that the work
ingman is neither a machine nor a
commodity, but that he Is collabora-
tor with capital. Individual capacity
and ambition must receive encourage
ment and recognition. The employer
must recognize the dignity and status
Qf the worker and give him every con-
sideration due The closest possible
contact and the fullest understanding
should be maintained between employ
o. and employee. Arrangements for
the adjustment of grievances must be
nroyided which will work smoothly
and promptly. We must do all we can
to improve the workers's living. condi-
lions. to make his surroundings decent
and attractive to himself and family.
His hours of work must be such as to-
give him an opportunity for reasonable
recreation with his family during the
hours Of daylight. He should receive
wage that not only permits him to keep
body and soul together, but enables
him 10 lay by something for the future,
Il these conditions are to be obtained
and maintained labor must recognize
thatEhtgh@ wages can only be main
tsined under conditions Of high pro-
ductiop and high Efficiency Capital
must hs paid In accordance with the
risk of the enterprise. Those who d.
rect and plan must be paid adequately,
labor must be adequately. paid, and
after this. II anything remains, comes.
the question afsan EQUITABLE diStrihp-
tion. Many Of the more nrogressiva,!