Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-04-21
Suggests u 5. Regulation For
Capital and Labor.
WANTS COURT REVIEWS
Head Of United States Steel Corpora
tons Declares Labor Unions Are
inefficient and Costly.

New York. Elber.. N. Gary,
chairman of the United States
Steel corpors lion, told the stockhold-
ers at their annual meeting he Yves
in favor of publicity, regulation and
reasonable control" of business
through government agencies as a pos
sible solution of or antidote to the
labor union problem
Saying he did not ,elieve in Social
or operation, he suggested non-parti-
san, non-sectarian commissions or de
partments render decisions, subject
to review by the highest courts.
+ Continuing his suggestion, he said !:
s'Laws-Clear, well defined, practic-
able and as. of comprehension-cov
ering these matters, might be passed.
and If so they should apply to all
economic organizations, groups or
bodies exceeding certain specified
numbers or amounts. Both organized
capital and organized labor should be
placed under these laws. Each should
be entitled to the same protection and
be subject to the same restrictions and
provisions.
Twill labor unions consent to this?
They have heretofore objected Here
would be test. Labor union leaders
have before row asked and received
discriminatory exemptions. This is
wrong ane 1t would be just as bad if
the situation were reversed. Employ
orc 11v hn
treatment that is accorded to labor
unions. The large majority Ct work
men also would be satisfied with this
standard"
Mr.. Gary said "the neutral and GER
tain effects of labor unionism are ex-
pressed by three words: "Inefficiency,
high COSTS"
II woul. not intentionally do an
injustice to any union labor leader,
nor to a labor union" he continued,
''but 1 firmly believe complete union
ization of the industry of this coun-
try would be the beginning of indus
trial deca,-"
"It seems t. me-" he said, 'the
natural, if not the necessary result of
LIE contemplated piOSiCoS VI idDVi
unions, If successful, would be the
control of shops, then of the general
management of the business, then of
capital, and finally the government"
Admitting unions may have been
justifie in the long past" because
workmen were not treated Justly, he
asserted there is now "no necessity"
for labor unions, ain the opinion of
the larg majority of both employers
and employees"
Turning to the subject of possible
reduction of working hours for en-
ployes of the steel corporation, Mr..
CARY said: "The officers OF this cor
poration. the presidents of subsidiary
cornpanies and q majority o fothers in
positions of responsibility are IN ia
vor of abolishing the twelve-four day,
and for this reason, and because of
public sentiment, it is our endeavor
and expectation to decrease the work
-ing hours, re hope in the compare
lively near future"
Concerning the corporations dealing
with its employees he said: adverse,
even harsh criticisms have sometimes
been made, but it is noticeable these
criticisms have generally originated
with O. been supported by ill-advised
or vicious-mirded outsiders and not
by the workmen themselves"
He said the employees, on the aver
age, shave received as high, If not
the highest compensation, and as gen
erous, if not the most generous, treat
ment >ccorded by any basic industry
at any peri in this or any other
country"