The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-18
GARY WOULD
TEST LABOR
UNIONISM
Steel Head Wants Capital.
Labor Bound by Well
Defined Laws.

New York, April 1S.-Elbert H.
Gary chairman Of the United States
Steel corporation, told the stock
holders At their annual meeting to-
day he was in favor Of publicity.
regulation and reasonable reorgan-
ization Of business throughout
agencies. Is . possible solution of
or antidote to the labor union
problem" 4tE.
Declaring he did not believe in
socialism nor in governmental
management or operation. he sug-
gested that non-partisan, non-sec-
tartan committees or departments
render decisions, subject to review
by the highest courts.
Continuing his suggestion he
Eaid:
"Laws-clear, well-de0ned, prac-
ucable and easy Of comprehension
these matters might be
passed, and II 80, they should ap-
ply to all economic organizations,
groups or bodies exceeding certain
specific numbers or amounts. Both
organized capital and organized Ia
Dor should be placed under these
laws. Each should be entitled to
the Same protection and be subject
to the same restrictions and pro-
visions. ...t..
"Will labor unions consent to
this? They have heretofore OBJ
jected. Here would be . test La
Dor union leaders have before now
asked and received discriminatory
exceptions. This is wrong, and it
would be just as bad il the situa-
ton we're reversed. Employers gen
orally desire only the same treat
ment that is accorded to labor
unions. The large majority Of
workmen also would be satisfied
with this standard"
Effects Of Un3snism.
Mr.. Gary devoted q considerable
portion Of his address to labor
unions and said the natural and
certain effects of labor unionism
are expressed by three words, I'm
efficiency, high costs"
II would not intentionally do an
injustice to any union labor leader
nor to q labor union," he continued
but I firmly believe complete
unionization Of the industry Of this
country would be the beginning Of
Industrial decay"
1T seems to me-" he said. thai
the natural il not the necessary re.
suit Of the contemplated program
of labor unions, II successful. would
be control of shops, then of the
general management Of the bust
ness, then Of capital. and finally
the government"
Admitting that unions may have
been justified in the long past,
because workmen we're not treatef
Justly, he declared there Is nov
mo necessity" for labor unions. iii
the opinion Of the large majorit.
Of both employers and employees"
Turning to the subject of possi
BILE reduction of working hours fol
employees Of the steel corporation
Mr.. Gary said: ~,
1.-The officers of this corporation
the presidents Of subsidiary com
panies, and q majority Of others il
positions of responsibility are il
favor OF abolishing the 12-hour day
and for this reason and because o
public sentiment, 1t is our endeav
or and expectation to decrease th
working hours-we hope in tn
comparatively near future"
Concerning the corporation
dealings with its employees. b
said, adverse, even harsh, criticism
have sometimes been made, but Il
this connection it is noticeable tina
these criticisms have generall
loriginated with or been supports
by ill-advised or vicious-minde
outsidefs and not by the workme
themselves"
| He said the corporation had bee
livery successful" In cultivating tn
feeling Of amity among the en-
ployes.
He said the employees, on the ~
erage, have received As high,
not the highest compensation, Z
Igenerous, il not the most generous
treatment accorded BY any bas1
industry at any period in this Q
lany other country"