The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-04-01
INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE REPORT.

putes does not recognize the right of either labor
capital above that Of the public and for that rea
son 1t has not received the endorsement OF the |
strong partisans on both sides but it does appeal
strongly to the common OF the people, says |
the Tulsa Democrat
The report Of the Conference Board. Of which the
Secretary Of Labor chairman and Herbert
Hoover was vice. chairman, is thoroughly American.
modern and democratic. 1t does not recognize any
despotism either Of capital of labor" 1t does
not impose compulsory arbitration. 1t does not
deny the right to strike. invokes just one threat
that of public opinion.
The report provides for regional adjustment con-
ferences each consisting Of your representatives Sc
ected by the parties to the controversy and four
others in the industry selected by them To
such board, the chairman Of which is to be an ex
parties may carry their for settlement In case
of such a voluntary submission they to agree
that production shall continue unmpared till set
Element If the conference comes 40 a unanimous
agreement collective bargain will have been made.
If the regional conference fails to agree the con-
troversy is transferred to a National Industrial
Board Of nine members. appointed by the president
and confirmed by the senate If either party re-
fuses to submit the controversy the local regional
conference. the chairman appoints regional board
Of inquiry, consisting of two employees and two
employers in the industry, not interested par
ties. No force that of public opinion is relied
upon. The board of inquiry publishes its report.
There. for the effect of public opinion, the
matter ends. There is no compulsion The machn-
cry is thoroughly American
Compare with that this statement Most rigorous
state pressure will be brought to bear on the
workmen Compulsory labor is indispensable
measure" That is from "Comrade" Trotsky whom
some people think represents freer and de-
sirable form Of government for workingmens
paradise than does our own. Trotsky adds to that
this sentiment. Free labor can only exist in
capitalistic state" That is Bolshevism.
Public opinion has proven its power in the last
year. And the conference which has been in ses-
sion three months has seen fit to accept that as
sufficient safeguard against the nfction of unwar-
ranted loss and suffering the third and much
interested party to all industrial disputes-the pub
lie. There is little doubt but that in time indgna-
ton with the injustces which strikes and lockouts
have caused and may again will compel con-
gress to differentiate clear and legal terms be-
tween the entirely proper right of an American
working man to refuse to work under conditions he
regards as unjust and the decidedly improper use
Of either the strike the lockout.
In the report just published the government recog-
nizes the freedom of the individual to Join or re-
main out OF union and yet receive recognition as
unit In Industrial relations. The report does not
oppose the unions or discount their worth. The
report deeper than the past purpose of trade
unionism which has been to force recognition of Ia
bors demands when those just demands are con-
sistently ignored refused by employers The In
dustrial Conference lays stress on .empoye repre
sentation" To this Samuel Gompers and the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor take exception Mr. Com
pers' argument that such system does not work
to the best interests OF labor unions doubtless cor
rect But the report sees in shop committees and
employe representation the development of some
thing more important-the great understanding and
therefore diminution of friction between emploved
| and employer through regular meetings to dis
| cuss frankly and gradually discover the common in
terests. to cultivate reciprocal respect and conf
dence. These things are the means Of establishing
permanent Improvement in industrial relations The
conference and the public not so much inter-
ested IN strengthening the hand either OF tabor"
or caplta as IN enarging the of CO. operation
to correspondingly reduce the field of conflict
| The reason for Mr.. Gompers' criticism of the re-
port is not difficult to divine He sees in if rival
to the machinery which In the past according IN HE
statement, has functioned perfectly" in the settle
ment of industrial disputes He does NOT ,yish ,b,,
sysem disturbed even by plans for arbitration or
peaceful adjustments as proposed by the presidents
industrial conference. And yet that system which
ne says lunctioned perfectly" involved 100000
workers in strikes and lockouts referred IN tho
United States Department OF Labor for settlement in
the year 1919. and cost them in lost wages onward
of sfOOOO0,O0o. And this represents lint small nor
centage OF the actual number of strikes What the
employers lost cannot even be guessed al. And all
this was an absolute loss. loss that will never be
recovered.
! The report recognizes neither compulsory organ
lzauon nor compulsory arbitration It leaves to the
WISHES OF the Individual workers and the local
UNIONS the cnoice OF affiliatng not affiliatns
win the national organization, with the
of in 9Th