New Britain herald., 1921-04-18
Gary PaVOrs Reasonable Control of Business by Government Agencies as Solution for
 Labor Problem
t2-HOUR WORKING DAY
 TO BE REDUCED SOON


 While He Docs Not Wish to Do In-
 justice to Labor Leaders Or Unions,
 Chairman Gary Expresses Opening
 That As Soon As Industries of Coun-
 try Arc Unionized, Industrial De-
 cay Will Begin.
 New York. April 1S.-Elbert H. Gary, chairman of the IT. s. Steel Corp, told the stockholders at their annual meeting today he was in fla vor of publicity, regulation and req sonable control of business through government agencies as possible solution of or antidote to the labor union problem"
 Declar ring he did not believe in socialism or in government manage ment or operation, he suggested that non-partisan, non-sectarian commits sions or departments render decisions, subject to review by the highest courts.
 Equal Protection.
 Continuing his suggestion he said:
 'Laws--clear, well defined, practic- able and easy of comprehension covering 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 restric- tions and provisions ez
 Questions Labor Unions.
 will labor unions consent to this? They have heretofore objected. Here would be test. Labor union leaders have before now asked and received exemptions. This is wrong and it would be just as bad if the situation were reversed. Elm ployers generally desire only the same treatment that is accorded to labor unions. The large majority of work men also would be satisfied with this 
 MT. Gary devoted considerable portion of his address to labor unions and said the natural and certain ef- fleets of labor unionism are expressed by three words:' inefficiency, high costs"
 Against Unionization.
 "I would not intentionally do an injustice to any union labor leader nor to a labor union." he continued, but I firmly believe complete union lzation of the industry of this coun- try would be the beginning of indus trial decay" Admitting that unions may have been justified in the long past be- cause workmen were not treated just hn har nnu cessity'' for labor unions ''in the opin- ion of the large majority of both em- 1 ployers and employees l
 Turning to the subject of possible i, reduction of working hours for em- | oloyes of the steel corporation MT. 1, Gary said: l
 Fewer Working Hours. .@rhe officers of the corporation. the | presidents of subsidiary companies |, md a majority of others in positions | of responsibility are in favor of abol- 1 shing the 12-hour day and for this | reason and because of public senti- | nent it is our endeavor and expecta- l ion to decrease the working hours l we hope in the comparatively near ] future.'' 1 Concerning the corporations deal l ing with its employees he said: Adverse, eeven harsh criticisms | nave sometimes been made but in | this connection it is noticeable that l these criticisms have generally orig | mated with or been supported by i'll | advised or vicious minded outsiders md not by the workmen themselves" He said the corporation had been very successful in cultivating the | feeling of amity among the employees. l = He said the employees on the aver age thave received as high. if not | he highest compensation and as gen. !! ,rous if not the most generous treat | nent accorded by any basic industry | 1t any period in this or any other