The New York herald., 1921-11-05
Will Be Greatest Blessing
to Economic System,
He Says.
NO EUROPEAN CURE
American Industry Is Finding
Way to Meet Such
Problems.

The primary interest of the public in
certain classes Of strikes and industrial
controversies was the theme discussed
last night by Herbert Hoover, Secre-
tary OF Commerce, before an audience
which filed to capacity floor and bal
comics of the Hotel Astor's grand ball
room. Though Mr.. Hoover did not
speak specifically of either the present
milk strike or the recently averted
railroad strike. many of his hearers
thought he had those demonstrations
in mind
The occasion was the dinner meet
ing of the joint conference of the
Academy of Political Science with the
Industrial Relations Association of
America, which has been in convention
here for several days. Secretary Hoo
yer presided at the dinner. One of the
other speakers was James j. Davis,
Secretary of Labor.
Two Categories of Industry.
zone idea" said Mr.. Hoover. (which
is steadily developing in the community
is demand for differentiation between
the bases Of settlement of conflict be-
tween employers and employees in two
different categories of industry. First,
the category of industries, such as trans
portation and the coal industry, where
the continuous operation is vital to the
life and safety Of the community. where
there is no alternative to some substitute
service and second, the category OF in
dustries from the continuous operation
of which there Is alternative supply
without imperilling the life Of the COM
munity. The public takes but secon-
dary interest in the conflicts that arise
in the last group. It is impatient to find
solution OF conflict In the first group.
There Is a rising tide of feeling In the
matter because we have growing CEN
tralization of population in limited areas
with a dependence upon transportation
and coal for the clockwork movement of
enonomic life in which any stoppase
brings immediate suffering and even ulti-
mate peril to the community. We have
seen the growth of organization on the
part of both enmpoyers on one side and
employees on the other until they have
reached national basis. and their very
discussions now send economic shivers
through the whole community even
though they have no intent to engage in
battle
'"rhe public is coming 20 believe,
whether justifedly or not. that In this
mobilization on both sides there may yet
be a tendency on the part OF these or
ganizations to come to terms on such a
basis as will pass their mutual charges
on to the public.
Causes of Ill Will.
"As n result OF these things, we have
seen the gradual extension of the arm
OF the public 10 these disputes. through
both administrative and legislative ac-
tion. We also witness this extension of
public interest bitterly resented both by
the employers and employees. The prt-
mary instinct OF the public is self-preser-
walton first and last, and where / or 2
per cent. Of the whole population may
jeopardize the comfort and security of
the other 9S per cent. do not believe
that they can be restrained from exert
ing commanding voice. however much
It may be resented By either side.
The thing that must concern US all
Is that the entrance of the third party
into these disputes shall be In such form
that it does not increase the Ill will, that
Il shall be In such form as will secure
justice and win preserve the very founda-
tions of initiative and that type Of Amer
lean individualism upon which our whole
social system Is based. that It shall
recognize the fundamental necessity to
build up good will itself.
''One OF these causes OF III will that
weighs heavily upon the community B
the whole problem OF unemployment. /
know Of nothing that more filled the
mind of to recent Washington confer
ence. while dealing mainly with emer-
gency matters, than the necessity to de-
velop further remedy, first, for the vast
calamities or unemployment in the
cyclic periods OF depression. and, eec-
ond. some assurance of the individual Of
reasonable economic security--to remove
the fear Of total family disaster In loss
OF the Job. l am not one who regards
these matters as ineolvable.
Thirty years ago our business COM
munity considered the cyclic financial
panic as Inevitable. We know now we
have cured II through the Federal Re-
serve system. The problem requires
study: IL, like our banking system. re-
quires solution consonant with Ameri-
can institutions and thought. / know of
no European plan that Is applicable to
American life. Many American indus
tries are themselves finding solutions.
There is q solution somewhere, and its
yorting out will be the greatest bIees-
.rg yet given 10 our economic system
both TO the employer and the employee" ="
Mr.. Hoover In the afternoon presided
over a meeting Of the standing commit
tee Ut the conference of unemployment
which was held behind closed doors in
the Engineering Societies Building, 20
West Thirty-ninth street.
After the meeting Secretary Hoover
expi fned that the committee had taken
necessary steps TO coordinate the work
accomplished thus far by other institu-
tions concerning the problem OF investi-
eating and formulating such recornmen-
dations az will tend 10 minimize unem-
pioyment. Twenty committees, which
will study seasonal and cycllca phases
OF the situation are TO be named soon,
an dtheir combined efforts. he said, will
result In the most comprehensive plan
ever prepared.
A report submitted by Col. Arthur
woods, chairman Of the committee on
community, civic an demergenoy meas-
rror. showed that sixty cities and towns
hra t1tc- ric.f 20 ~ellove the press,n n
na.,.s vf Hr'nFlryr nt