Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-02
v|CE-PRES. COOLIDGE
GIVES ADVICE TO
LABOR AND CAPITAL
He Says Broader comprehen-
sion Of Democracy is
Needed.
URGES ARBITRATION BOARD

Special Dispatch TO Every Evening.
Wellesley Hills, Mass. Aug. q
During the past few months Calvin
Coolidge, Vice President of the United
States, has been giving great thought
and study to the labor situation ow-
ing to the coal and railroad strikes.
In view of the masterful way In which
he handled the Boston policemans
strike in 1919, he was invited TO the
Babson Industrial Conference TO state
his position ION this momentous ques-
tion.
Mr.. Coolidge assumes we will ac-
cept labor unions and that capital
labor and management will unite in
bringing about a true industrial
Democracy But-he states fearlessly
line, organization, and obedience.
that no Democracy-polltical or in
dustrial-can survive without discip-
There must be law and order. Boards
of arbitration must be created and
obeyed in order for the wage workers
themselves to get on. His own words
are as follows:
I'VE need fuller realization and a
broader comprehension of the mean
ing both of political and economic
Democracy. In this age of science
and invention and organization, there
is n special need for full understand
ing of the foundations of industrial
Democracy. The word Democracy is
used very inaccurately. 1t is often
taken 10 signify freedom and equality.
Many have thought II represented an
absence of all restraints. Others have
considered il as providing relet
from all duties The people or
America have long been committed
to Democracy. The best thought OF
the world has been compelled TO fol-
low them. The easy way to under
stand what may be expected OF II Is
first TO understand what 1t is.
There has never been any organ-
lied society without rulers. The great
power of mankind has been created
through unity of action. This has
meant the adoption Of a common
standard. In most ancient times this
was represented in the chieftain. In
modern times il is represented by a
code Of laws. The important factor
to remember is that it has always re
quired obedience. Democracy Is
obedience to the rule of the people.
THE failure to appreciate this
double function of the citizen has led
10 much misunderstanding. for 1t is
very plain to see that there cannon
be any rule of the people without a
people to be ruled. The difference
between despotism and Democracy is
not n difference in the requirement. ol
obedience. il is a difference in rulers
The American citizen is at once a
sovereign and a subject. He becomes
an absolute sovereign by' absolute
obedience. He will be limited SOW
ereign IL he limits his obedience. The
criminal loses all his freedom. 1t Is
easy 10 see that Democracy will have
attained perfection when laws are
made wholly wise and obedience is
made wholly complete.
"One Of the great tragedies o
American institutions is the expert
ence Cf those who come here expect
inc TO he able TO rule without render
ing obedience. They have entirel,
misconceived the meaning O
Democracy. But they need not dis
turb its defenders. To cast il asid
could only mean the acceptance c
some old kind Of rulers which hav
already been discarded. The true hop
of progress lies only in perfecung j
Already IL is better than anything els
in the world. But il rests entirely o
the people. II depends on their abilit
both to rule and 10 obey. 1t is wha
they are. The government is whs
they make 1t. This same principl
has been working out in cur economi
and industrial life. We are slowl.
and. Of course. painfully. arriving 6
n state of Democracy in this fell
In it's development II has bee
analogous 10 the development l
political life. IL is not very long as
that the man who owned an industr
assumed 10 be the absolute lord ov'
II. He ruled il. He fixed the hou
and the conditions of employment ar
dictated the amount of wages. I
recognized little or no obligation {
wards his employees and had little r
gard for his customers.
in large enterprises the owne
ship gradually became more and mo
divided with the advent of the &C
poration. In that case. oftentimes I
management was entrusted to repr
sentatives. while the owners CORE
ponded to absentee landlords.
Under this system, as soon as el
ployes could organize and make c
mands, a condition existed which
10 the most violent and bitter Of
dustrial disputes. All hands we
eagerly asserting their right to ru
forgetful Of their obligation 10 ODE.
Investigation and experience ha
gradually brought about the recogl
tion of the correct principle. Time a
economic development will insure
adoption. Industry is changing FRI
the theory OF exclusion TO the thee
Of inclusion. 1t no longer is cont,
with one small part OF the individu
IL seeks to enlist all its powers
recognize all his rights as well