Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-22
THE PERSISTTNG
LABOR PROBLEM
As Viewed From Different
Angles by Various Au-
fhoritieS


manufacturer, in "Labor's Crisis
gives an employers view on labor prop
Ions. His book. which is meaty rather
than lengthy. opens with dehnltorY
chapter on Poverty and its nature ana
effect" which leads naturally into con
sideration of such topics as poverty Ill
relation TO labor, labor viewed as non E
commodity and the cost Of living.
Tho writer makes no pretensions to
scientific analysis and systcmatization;:
but offers his theories out OF practical
experience. lie discusses various prop
ositions advanced by the unions to rom
cdy existing industrial unrest. suggests
many effects and Influences of the unrest
on production and on labor, and ven
lures the suggestion that labor scarcity
is not entirely due to curtailment in tho
numeri icnl strength Of workmen.
Employers and students of the labor
question will find this little book or
interest and value.
"Thc art Of industrial right living
is the thesis of Hayes Robbins Tine
Making 6f Tomorrow.
Mr.. Robbins has had wide and varl'
ous experience in the line of labor liai.
son and industrial adjustments and
denominations and the fruit OF his Oh =
scrvaton and actual participation fur
nshes the practical material for this
book. which. unlike mauy works OF its
class. is not academic but practical
suggestive and constructive. For four
years Mr.. Robbins was director Of tho
Civic Federation of New England. Later
be assisted in the organization OF IN"
committee on labor in the council OF
national defense. His constructive OK
percnco includes carrying on ncgO.
tiations in more than 100 labor con
trovcrsics.
The quotations on the hyleaf Of Mr..
Robbins deeply thought out and kecnlT
expressed book. give sense of his angle
of outlook and attitude of approach.
One is from Herbert Spencer. as fol
lows: institutions are dependent on
character and however changed in their
superficial aspects, cannot be changed in
essential natures faster than character
changes" ." The other is from Henry
van Dyke, as follows:
"A noblcr people, hearts more wisely
brave.
And thoughts that lift men up and
make them free
These are prosperity and vital
wealth.
Among the topics treated stimulat-
ingly are I'm Pursuit of Happiness,
Without socialism," "CapitaIism On '
Trial" The New Capitalism" "Thc
Human Right of Ownership" "The
Test of Industrial Democracy" and
The Personal Equation in Industry"
r. II. Tawney. fellow of Isaliol Col
lege.. Oxford, and late member of the
British coal industry commission. Of
tcrs in The Acquisitive Society" a
short analysis of the theory Of indi-
vidual rights which is the foundation
of economic organization in Europe ard
America.
AS n substitute for this theory. which
he deems outmoded and under modern
complex conditions the breeding ground
OF inequality. waStagc and class con-
scious conflicts, he suggests what is
called the theory of function" On
this principle he would base both in
dustrial organization and property
rights. The practical effects of accept
ancc Of this principle would be an
abolition of such proprietary rights as
tire not accompanied by the dirchargc
Of social obligations. Furthermore. it
would mean the organization of in
dustry as profession directed toward
the serving of the public.
The principle Of individual rights as
against communal social rights was lp-
ultimately and practically operative
under the simple form Of society for
which it was formulated. but the "om-
r!eXiticS which have grown out Of ad
Nnncing civilization require, accoruin:
to Mr.. Tawn"y, a cou,plcmcntary pro-
gresslvCness in economic theory.
Ono Of tho Sancst books in wears on
the labor issues and problems is La
hor $ Challenge 10 tic Social Order" by
John Graham BROOKS. author of '"Thr
Social ! nr"Nt and american Syrdt-
caliSm,' both authoritative studies of
their rcspeCtivc subjects.
Mr.. Brooks has not merely learning
IN his field, but also wisdom concern
ing it and saGa"ity in Hpuliration Of
both his learning and wisdom. Iii. |
plan and purpose are 10 demonstrate
that democracy is its own critic and
educator.
Among tho topics he discusses in an
analytic way nrc Word Lessons" |
mGapital on Its Good Behavior"
:, lessons From the Communist"
GovernmCnt ownership" WHO ShnU |
Spend My Saving :" "IIow Long Shall
We Work. "lndustrial Democracy mr.
It's lest. "Thr NrV 'protitShariu,, -
,'Syndicalism," "Tho EmployrrS' Co,c .
against the Union' and "Thc Er,.
'uiId. From this hint Of tho con. |
chtS It will be- seen that Mr.. Brooks
BOOK Is handy manual TO most of ,hc
'ineal"S and panl"oa> which have been
'ut forward as fitted 10 solve industrial
lcttCrpcnt ""''"'
~ilnIR,S CITNrIr'N,r. ~r TIL, yo..,,