The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-01-22
CONSERVE LABOR
DST0P Waste
HOPE OF: HOOVER.
Starts Movement to Ana|yze the
Cause Of Strike and Autocratic
Power in INDUSTRIAL Plants.

NEW YORK, Jan. 20.-A nation
wide movement to conserve labor and
stop industrial waste has been, started
by Herbert Hoover and his assistants
in the American engineering council
Of the Federated American Engineer
ing Societies. L.. d..
A committee on the elimination of
waste in industry will work with la
Dor organizations, chambers of COM
merce, and other organizations to ,
bring about better working conditions
and to promote harmonious relations
between employers and employees.
To offset the loss to the world of
millions Of men through the ravages
Of the war Is the task, says state
ment issued today by L. w. Wallace
Of Baltimore. vice chairman of this
committee, called by Mr.. Hoover one
Of the most important instruments
through which the engineers Of Amer
lea will carry out a far reaching pro-
gram of public service.
War Loss Must be Offset.
This loss does not only affect the
present but the future. for generations
to come will realize the loss Of these
men and their potential prosperity
said Mr.. Wallace. ITO offset this loss
tho industrial engineer must devise
new plans. new methods and new
equipment.
HE must give consideration to de-
vising means Of using that large army
OF Industrial handicaps, men and
women, who through accident or
through miscarriage of the laws Of
nature are lacking in some essential
faculty or sense, by making it pos
sible for men, however handicapped,
to find useful employment.
''The strike Il large source OF
waste OF human labor. Millions, I do
not know how many millions, of hours
Of labor are lost each year through
strikes. All Of this loss could be con-
served If the strike could be entirely
eliminated, but We do not believe that
this will ever come to pass.
Shop Panaceas That Fail.
Some form Of industrial democ-
racy on the one hand and league Of
nations on the other unquestionably'
will be an agent of great value and in
fluence, but those agents within and Of
themselves will not eliminate labor
troubles, nor make impossible future
wars.
I'm recent weeks we have heard
much about the efficacy Of industrial
democracy, Of shop committees of sen.
ate and house plan, Of collective bar
gaining, as the panaceas for all labor
problems. During the same period
we have had striking examples Of the
inadequacy Of them all. -~E
Industrial democracy, profit shar-
Ing, committee system, open shop,
closed shop, or collective bargaining
hone Of these agencies will accom-
plish or avail much unless there is be-
hind them and disseminated through
every fiber and thread the spirit Of
fairness, honesty and justice. !
Fairness the Keystone.
III these principles be present there
will be no labor trouble. And again, il
they be present, it does not matter
much what plan is used. = =
1T Is the function and province of
the engineer to make the correct an
alysis, to predict effect through known
causes. It is purely the mission Of
the engineer Of wide experience or
great foresight and Of unselfish mo-
tive to see to it; first, that every. ac-,
tion Is based upon the principles Of
honesty, justice and fairness to the
employe. the employer and the public:
second, to formulate the plan of ac-
ton as to eliminate all unfair provf-
sions Of employer and employe and
to make it possible for each to fulfill
its responsibility to the community,
and, third. to SO organize the plant or
industry as to make it exceedingly diff
ficult for an incompetent to hold q
position Of authority or to have auto
cratic CONTROL. - e-,s.. - S-sf<s