Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-29
WILLIAM r. JAMES
On Constructive Planning for the Future


TWO things are vitaly necessary for the
l. development Of n more dependable and
permanent prosperity for Philadelphia and
vicinity, according to William +. James,
of the WESTINGHOUSE Electric and Manufac-
turing Company. One of these is necessity
for careful constructive planning for the
future Of the various municipal element, Of
the district, and the other Is for better
relationship between employers and their
workers.
"In the Industrial Relations Committee Of
the Chamber Of Commerce. said Mr.. James,
I'VE have been at work for several years to
clear up some of the differences existing In
certain industries in the city itself, with the
idea of developing conditions so that the
employers and their men might get together
naturally rather than by organization meth
oGs.
"But as we have gone along we found
that while we had accomplished good deal
IN cases where a third party seemed to be
needed, if we were ever to accomplish any
thing permanent, we would have to get down
70 fundamentals, 10 the differences on which
the present difficulties rest.
Several Things Needed
"ln this stage Of development we see that
several things are needed. One OF the most
important OF these IS TO spread the gospel
of mutual understanding between employers
and employees. so that they will act between
themselves without resorting TO outside con-
facts, whether these outside elements be in
the form Of labor unions or in the necessity
for the employers to form an organization
among themselves.
There Is In Philadelphia any number Of
mutually satisfactory arrangements existing
between employers and employees, arrange
mcnts which have been tested by time and
I'll l,I,,
for circulation by the Industrial Relations
Committee. | believe thAt when those are
universally known much of the indust rial
troubles OF the last few years will be eiiIni-
mated.
1T is hard to say whore the main trouble
lies. There are instances where the en-
ployer may Justly be criticized for his fail
ure to make such agreements with his work
ers and it Is certain that all OF the fault
does not lie on either side. Our point IS to
get this information into the hands Of the
rivht persons and TO show both sides their
obligation TO the community to do the right
thing and to keep production mp TO high
point When taken in the initial stages
every difficulty Of this kind is the more
easily solved.
OF stabilizing conditions by keeping workers
permanently employed. In order TO do this,
work should be provided far beyond present
requirements in point Of time. so that Hs one
piece IS completed another will be available.
ITO do this effectively, We must look far
into the future, as the City of Philadelphia
did when the comprehensive plans Of i'm
movement now being carried out were first
made. 1t accustomed the public to tho ex-
nenditure Of considerable sums OF money, and
thus the people were not only satisfied, but
approyed because they saw that it was all n
part of some definite plan and they could zee
thines being accomplished. In the end i'm =
provcmpnts Of this kind are not only in