The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-15
INDUSTRIAL WAR MUST END.

INDUSTRIAL WAX MUST END.
Both organized labor and it's en-
ployers appear to be equally opposed
to the Kansas court of industrial rela-
tions. So do individuals who engage
in street fights, object to the interior
ence of the police. But public opin-
ion has reached a point where it is
hardly less tolerant of industrial war
fare than it is OF a street brawl.
If employers and employees do not
want to be interfered with it is up to
them to find a way to settle their dis
putes in a fair, equitable or at least ut
satisfactory manner.
Enlightened demand that the de-
structive warfares of industry shall
give way to methods for peaceful and
just settlement of differences has had
striking results in the promotion of
cooperative plans and systems. Hun
dreds of enterprises thruout the coun-
try have established relationships be-
tween the employers and the workers
which have brought about the mutual
respect and unity of effort which can
result only from frank counsel and
fair dealing.
Followers of the Gompers and Gary
schools may contend that arrange
ments of this kind are feasible only in
limited and specialized enterprises;
they will stick to their theory that the
labor question as a whole must be set
tied on the terms exemplified by Com
pers or Gary. These two conceptions
are held by powerfully organized.
forces, and can be met adequately
their unsoundness.
The alternative to the intending
| warfare between labor and capital
has been tried on a scale big enough
to satisfy any mind open to convic-
ton. A form of arbitration and CO.
operation is a proved success in the
vast enterprises of the Rockefeller in
terests. Since their distinguishing
characteristic is efficiency, not altru-
ism, the testimony of their experience
ought to carry weight.
| A few years ago strife between the
Rockefeller mining interests and the
workers produced in Colorado state
| of widespread lawlessness and finally
of virtual civil war. Incessant strikes,
with ever-ihcreasing violence, were
met by stern retaliation; there were
pitched battles between armed work.
! ers and company guards, with out
/ breaks of looting, arson and assassi-
nation. At last the state militia was
turned against the strikers, civil gov
eminent in the region was suspended,
and there prevailed a contest of brute
force which scandalized the nation.
When the situation was at its worst
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., made a per-
sonal investigation of the war area.
He determined to seek a way to end
such horrors and to readjust the rela-
lions of the Rockefeller corporation
| and its thousands of workers on a. ba-
sis that would bring permanent peace
and would restore the human rights
obliterated in the insensate struggle
of force. He visited the strikers
camps, talked with them in their
homes, examined every condition and
analysed every grievance. Then he
commissioned the ablest social and in
dustrial experts in the country to draft
a comprehensive plan for the future
conduct of the enterprises.
The outcome was establishment of
the Industrial representation sys-
tenn, which was accepted by the work
ers thru secret ballot after the fullest
discussion, and which has transformed
the scene of sanguinary war into are
/ gion of peace and prosperity. The es-
sentials of the plan are that the work
ers in each plant elect from their
number representatives to serve on
4 Joint committees with representatives
Of the company; these bodies and sim
liar conferences covering districts deal
with all matters relating to working
and living conditions, including ques-
lions of cooperation and Cancellation,
safety. sanitation, health, housing,
, recreation and education. The right
of every worker to present grievances
!, and the right of all to hold meetings
are safeguarded.