The north Mississippi herald., 1921-04-22

NEW YORK, April 18.-Wage re-
ductions in the steel industry have
not been considered up to the pres
ent time, but shorter hours have been
considered, according to Judge Ebert
H. Gary, chairman of the United
States Steel Corporation, in an ad-
dress to the stockholders here today.
Mr.. Gary's address, in which he
urged publicity, regulation and rea-
sonable control of business through
government agencies as a possible
"solution of or antidote to the labor
union problems" was Gpplauded by
the stockholders.
Declaring he did not believe in so
cialism nor 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.
Continuing his suggestion, he said:
"Laws-clear, well defined, practi-
cable and easy of comprehension
covering these matters might be pass
ed, and if so they should apply to all
economic organizations, groups or
bodies exceeding certain specified
numbrs or amounts. Both organized
capital and organized labor should
be placed under these laws. Each
should be entitled to the same protec-
ton and be subject to tn same re-
strictions and provisions.
"Will labor unions consent to this!
They have heretofore objected. Here
would be a test. Labor union lead
ers have before now asked and receiv-
ed discriminatory exemptions. This
is wrong and would be just as bad ii
the situation were reversed. En-
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
standard"
Discusses Unions.
Mr.. Gary devoted a considerable
portion of his address to labor unions.
81 would not Intentionally do an
injustice to any union labor leader
nor to labor union," he said, "but /
firmly believe complete anionization
of the industry of this country would
be the beginning of industrial decay.
at seems to me-" he said, shat
the natural, If not the necessary, re-
suit of the contemplated progress OF
labor unions, if successful, would be
the control Of shops, then Of the gen.
eral management Of the business"
Turning to the subject Of possible
reduction of working hours for en-
ployes of the steel corporation, MIR.
Gary said: s'The officers Of this cor
poration, the presidents of subsidiary
companies and majority OF others
in positions of responsibility are In
favor of abolishing the 12-hour day,
and for this reason and because Of
public sentiment 1t Is our endeavor
and expectation to decrease the WORK
ing hours--we hope in the compara-
lively near future"
Concerning the corporations deal
ing with its employees, he said: "A
verse, even harsh, criticisms have
sometimes been made, but in this con-
lnection it is noticeable that these
criticisms have generally originated
with or been supported by ill-advised
or vicious-minded outsiders and not
: by the workmen themselves" he
said the corporation had been very
successful" in cultivating the feeling
of amity among the employees.
Mr.. Gary concluded that the en-
ployes on the average "have received
as high, If not the highest, compen-
sation, and as generous, II not the
most generous, treatment accorded by