Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-21

Inc elgOC nOuf Ody is mere TO Stdy.
Such is the keynote sounded by the
labor department on the eve of the adj
min;stration's first entrance as media
tor on the troubled field of industry.
The packers controversy occupies the
stage for a moment, but long dist Of
industries affected by wage contro
versies is forming in the offing. The
labor department appears to be on the
threshold Of it's greatest activity. Sec
rotary Davis wants to make that period
the pride of it's greatest usefulness as
well.
Packers Strike Cited.
The oath of office was still fresh on
Mr.. Davis lips when trouble broke out
in the packing industry. He acted also
and without invitation to keep the in
dustry going and prevent a strike by
offering his services as mediator to
employers and workers. They accepted
and the business sustained no inter-
ruption. When hearings begin next
Monday they will inaugurate something
more than mediation in the packing
business; they will inaugurate the adj
rinistration's labor policy Of prevent
ing strike in the first place, if there
can be such Intervention.
We are going to try not to let mat
dustry." the new secretary told the
writer. Il believe that both the employ
ers and employees are reasonable men.
We are going to try to help them find
that meeting ground where they can
settle their difficulties"
That is one Of the points which Sec
rotary Davis has settled upon. presum-
ably after comforting with the presi-
dent. There are many points of policy
yet to be determined. So pressing are
some of them that Mr.. Davis is setting
a new pace for his subordinates. He
comes to work about 7:3O in the morn
ing, never later than s. and stays at
his desk till late at night He is try
ing, he says, TO find out all about his
job.
Living Costs vs.. Wages.
On another floor of the same build
ing a branch Of the department is com
piling facts and issuing bulletins show
ing the rapid fall of prices. These fig
ures show heavy reductions in costs.
They are vital in their application to
wage disputes. The whole theory of the
living wage is concentrated on the cost
of living. As living costs scared during
the war, labor secured its advances on
their showing. Incidently it follows
the crest and toboggans downward,
wages, too, go with it. The govern
ment will not oppose such reductions.
1t must be proved that workmen still
can live in comfort and save something.
Starvation pay finds no champion at
the labor department Nor does the
watered wage.
Before sanctioning wage reductions,
however, an extraordinary effort must
be made by labor to justify present
scales. Labor will be asked to give
more in finished product in an eight
hour day, to tighten up, work harder,
to increase output. If that can be
done, it is possible through greater
production to decide labor costs. 1t
may not be possible, but it will be tried.
Square Deal Promised.
Secretary Davis also wants employ
ers to feel that his department will
deal fairly and squarely with them
The labor department has been accused
whether justly or not is another
thing-by it's critics Of being unduly
partial at times to labor. Secretary
Davis wants no such accusation to lie
at his door. The department will not
be an adjutant to organized labor. It
will not ask any favors for labor. It
will seek to protect fairly and justly
and it will not discriminate against it,
Already the department, at first re-
garded somewhat obviously by labor
leaders, is beginning to win labors
confidence and interest. The new ad-
ministration is but little more than
two weeks old but certain labor lead
ers have within that time voluntarily
suggested wage reductions.
1--WE are not going to be partial to
anyone in our activities but we are
going to be fair and just to everyone"
Secretary Davis says.