Evening star., 1920-01-04

can Federation of Labor has expressed itself
squarely opposed to the whole scheme on the
basis that the plan outlined fails to recog-
nize trade unions the basis for representa-
ton; that 1t involves Compulsory labor" and
that It does not permit workers to have direct
voice in the establishment of adjustment boards.
There has been general criticism to the effect
that the solution of the problem does not go
far enough; that the conference should have
gone into the subject of how employers and en-
ployes may be brought to a willingness to settle
their differences by reason
Speaking frankly of the objections of the
American Federation of Labor, Jim and Jane
will be prompted to opine that the officers OF
that organization covet the entire suoid mann
NAL, and that, not much for the class they
represent, for themselves. The conference
could not definitely recognize trade unions as
the basis for representation, inasmuch as 1t
proposed means for bettering the conditions
of labor, and all labor is not union labor 1t
specifies that employees shall choose their own
representatives, union non-union. as the ma
jority in any given controversy or region elects
The implication that the plan Involves com
pulsory labor is difficult to understand Work
and employers may the services of the
boards not, they fit, and any finding
must be by unanimous vote. Such compulson
might be used could only be that arising
from justice and truth supported by public SEN
tirnent. AS to the protest that workers are not.
to have direct voice in the establishment of
adjustment boards it need only be pointed out
that in law there is established precedent
that litigant may not select his own jury.
In reference to the criticism that the n
ference did not go far enough in it's proposal.
there is this to be said: The plan as outlined
merely offers the machinery for adjusting con-
troversies to1en those concerned are toilling to
make use of it. Upon the human element in the
problem upon the methods whereby employers
and employees may be rendered willing to settle
their disputes by reason it touches but lightly.
If any plan whereby labor and capital may be
awakened to a full appreciation of their respon-
sibilities to the other and each. to the nation
at large and of the economic falacies of war
fare in industry can be found, it should, by all
means, be included in the finished effort of the
conference The difficulty, being in the fact that
this phase of the problem is so largely one of
individual conscience, should not preclude the
effort of striving for the solution.
The matter of the return of the railways to
private ownership came in for renewed discus
sion early in the week, the result of pro-
nuncamento issued by representatives of the
railway brotherhoods and the international rail-
way unions in session here at that time. Stimuli
taneously with the first meeting of the Senate
and House conference committee, charged with
the task of harmonizing the Cummins and Esch
railroad bills. these representatives of union
labor upon the roads issued statement setting
forth their attitude on the matter
To summarize that statement, they sreiter-s
ated the opinion that control ct the roads should
be retained for two years by the government;
expressed opposition to that clause of the Cum
minis bill which would make strikes of railway
workers unlawful and recorded themselves as
favoring the enactment of those features of the
bills which tend to establish better relations
between employer and employe
1t is generally felt that inasmuch it has
been definitely determined to return the roads
to private hands on March that that portion
of the pronunciamento which urges continued
government operation only be regarded as
expression of regret over accomplished
fact The assurance that the conference favors
features of the bill purposed to establish bet
ter relations between employers and employees
is, of course, gratifying to every There
remains the protest against the anti-strike fea-
ture of the Cummins bill