The Mankato free press., 1921-12-16
HARVESTER PLANTS
UNDER OPEN SHOP
illinois Manufacturers To
Hear System Described
THE WORKER COUNCIL
This Body Discusses and Shapes
Policies In Questions Mu-
tuaI Interest
tAssociated Press Dispatch. ]

=
IAssociated Press Dispatch.I
Chicago. ILL.,, December 13.--Al har-
ester plants have always been con-
Quoted on the open shop principle
and, as our management declares, al
way Will be, A. II. Young, OF the inter
!, national Harvester company, today
told the Illinois Manufacturers asso-
citation here. =,
"The harvester open shop idea Is
clearly stated in our Industrial Coun
Gil plan which says that there shall be
no discrimination againstAny employe
because of race, sex, political or re-
lligious affiliation. or membership In
any labor or other organization.
"The core and heart Of the plan is
the works council a body at each
plant equally composed Of representa-.
and elected by the employees and OF
management. This council is en-
powered to discuss and shape plant
policies with respect to all questions
of mutual interest between employees
and management.
How System Works
Under the Harvester system the
works councils shape policies, but the
management executes them. There is
uO Oul vi IllO luhSIlhoo Vi iO-
responsibilities Of management, but
there is frank, fair, $3.50 discussion
and participation in the settlement of
any question of mutual interest
"The plan provides effectively for
the recall by the employees Of their
representatives and for complete pro-
lection of all employe representatives
against any discrimination because of
their actions or attitude as such.
| soThic r11on odnnfad hv "a
ploye in March, 1919, by free and Sc
cret ballot at nineteen out of the
twenty plants in the United States and
Canada to which It was offered. The
twentieth plant has since adopted the
plan of its own motion. 1t has been
amended only in two unimportant de-
tails.
For nearly three, years, then, we
have seen how the plan works in good
three years our Industrial Council plan
has been the means Of amicably,
promptly and justly settling the in
Vulnerable big and little questions that
arise in the daily work of as many as
10000 employees at time, including
questions of personal discipline, Of
wages, hours and working conditions.
"Only twice in that time has works
council been deadlocked, requiring
reference to the president of the COM
pany as an intermediate step between
deadlock and arbitration by mutual
consent, which is the final recourse of
the plan. And in those two cases
President Mccormick readily suggest
ed compromise that were accepted on
the spot by all concerned.
ITO my mind the severest test has
heen that which most lately exper-
ienced-the difficult and unhappy
business Of making a material reduc-
tion Of wages and then another reduc-
ton following close upon it.
am happy to say that all our
works courcils have met these or
deals and trials in spirit of fairness
and understanding that has much en-
hanced the company's estimate of the
plan and it's regard for the cooperative
spirit of its employees.
i When our plan was adopted there
were less than dozen similar plans
m actual operation. Last April, be-
lieve, there were about 700 big and
little concerns operating under one of
another system Of this sort. Some
paralleled 1t, and others approximated
1t only in major principles.
I'VE of the Harvester company do
not by any means think that we have
finally solved the all important prob
lems of modern Industrial relations,
but we are convinced that we are on
the right track"
Trade unions embracing both work
men and employers were advocated as
the solution Of labor problems by w.
B. Conkley, head Of large printing
house at Hammond, Ind. in an ad-
dress here today at the meeting. en-
stead Of labor union, let there be a
trade union Of each trade" Mr.. Con-
key said. "his trade union should be
composed Of the workmen and the
employers.
Each would have a committee to
discuss together anv conditions of the
trade requiring attention, whether it
be hours of labor. increase in wages,
shop practice. the apprentice question,
or other conditions that enter into a
trade to be settled. Any settlement
! would be agreed upon by both parties
before operative.
with this trade union no manufac.
trrer could carry on O successful bust
ness unles he and his employees were
members of this trade union. There
should be a national trade union that
would provide such legislation as
would prevent the violation Of condi-
tions of your trade.
"Al trades should have a union for
; the protection Of both the workman
to maintain a minimum wage, collective
bargaining, ETC., and the employer for
protection against unprincipled com
petitors, who, by their unfair methods,
compelled. the passage of sweat shop,
child labor, and other laws for public
good.
"The basic principle Of this whole
matter is that no trade should exist as
a trade unless it will pay a living
wage to its workers. II It cannot do
this 1t should be abolished" Present
labor conditions are q disgrace to
civilization and humanity, Mr.. Conkey
declared. "If thinking minds will CON
centrate upon a solution of this evil" I"
he said with the determination that
it must and shall be remedied It can
be done"