The Connecticut labor press., 1920-07-24
GARY HAS PRAISE
FOR LABOR, ALSO A
SHOT AT LEADERS
Steel King Off on Tour of Europe
Presents More Views on
Workers.

Judge Ebert H. Gary of steel trust
fame just simply can't keep still about
Labor. On the eve of his departure
for Europe Thursday night Mr.. Gary
took occasion to compliment labor for
its gain in efficiency and at the same
time made the compliment the means
of taking whack at Organized Labor
leaders who apparently are the bane of
Mr.. Gary's existence. In short Mr..
Gary thinks labor is fine, providing he
and his like can do with it as they will
and only for the labor leaders, who Mr.
Gary says, are not representative, he
and his cohorts would be having fine
time now in these days of reconstruc-
ton without any interference from their
down trodden wage slaves. Says Mr.
Gary:
while | recognize and for many
months have comprehended the dangers
in the general situation l am more
optimistic in regard to the future than
l have been at any time before during
the last six years. If people generally
will recognize the possible dangers
which have been limited at and will
each for himself or herself do every
thing possible and practicable to inn
prove conditions we shall soon return
to basis of living which should be en-
tirely satisfactory.
Somewhat to my surprise l have
upon inquiry during the last 80 or 40
days ascertained that labor at our vari-
Gus plants is more efficient per man
than at any time before during the last
five years.
Labor has never before in any coun-
try been paid as high compensation in
proportion to the costs of living as
during the last few years and at pres
ent. But it has not been paid too much.
There have been and are cases where
compensation has been too low and
work too strenuous, but / have been
speaking of the general rule. A major
ity of employers and employees read
or listen attentively to suggestions re-
lating to their obligations to all inter-
ests, including the general public. The
press through its leading editors has
done much to improve conditions by
exposing facts relating to specific cases
which have been presented
There is no conflict between capital
and labor. Each is dependent on the
other. Both recognize this fact The
almost innumerable troubles, which
have resulted in strikes and often riots
and bloodshed during the last year,
have been between employers and labor
ed or been asked to represent the great
majority of workmen.
Il think in majority of cases the
fault has been with the labor leaders,
although the public, or that part of the
public who by inquiry or contact be-
come informed, are able to judge for
themselves and IN their conclusions
will do justice to all concerned. /
have no desire or intention to combat
labor unions as such. The right to
organize is not disputed If law and
order are continuously preserved by the
authorities, and men and property are
protected against lawlessness, all labor
questions will be solved voluntarily
by those directly interested to the
satisfaction of themselves and the gen
eral public as well.
Everyone who is interested in this
question should take pains in the case
of strikes to make careful inquiry in
regard to the facts, and then impartial
ly to determine from the standpoint of
the public interest what ought to be
done"