, 1923-02-25

workers bill OF rights-a common
sense platform-that could be gen
orally accepted by industry. put we
hardly expected it to come from the
wealthiest interests in America.
Yet J. D. Rockefeller, Jr., he of the
name that has heretofore character
I'D capitalism in the minds of the
worker, has submitted a program to
Babson Institute. in hope hat it will
be adopted by Industrial executives
everywhere. As you ret 1t you n
understand why his Junior Rookie
Teller has been recognized in the fin
ancial world as NJ unusual power,
and has been noted among those who
know him personally for his unusual
vision and fairness.
/. "I believe that Labor and Cap
itnl are partners, not enemies" says
Mr.. Rockefeller. that their interests
are common, not opposed and hat
neither can attain the fullest measure
of prosperity at the expense OF the
other, but only in association with the
other.
Il am for an eight hour day and a
six day week. continues Mr.. Rookie
fe'ler. Amy schedule requiring long
er hours and which does not provide
for n day in seven in which the
worker can rest and recuperate. is
unsound, uneconomic and unjustifi-
able. In such industries as must of
necessity operate continuously. night
and day, 365 days in the year. sched.
ules must be arranged so hat the
worker has an eight hour day and a
six day week or its equivalent.
"I am for this because 1 feel tina
a good many Of the Industrial dis
putes OF the past have ...en from the
fact that employers under stress of
circumstances and competition have
broken away from this basic fact that
man is human being first. and an in
dustrial worker afterward. The
adoption OF the eight hour day in the
general Industrial field VIII tend to
increase efficiency and will bring the
less scrupulous and less enlightened
elements OF competition into line.
2. 81 believe that the Community
is an essential party TO industry and
that 1t should have adequate repre-
sentntion with the other parties.
). ct believe that the purpose of
Industry is quite as much to advance
social well.belng as material prosper
ity; that. in the pursuit of that pur-
pose. the interests of the Community
should be carefully considered, the
.well-beIng of employees fully guarded.
arrangement adequately recognized
and Capital Justly compensated, and
that failure in any of these partlcu.
lars means loss to all four parties.
4. ct believe that every mar is II
tilted to an opportunity to earn a lIv-
ing. to fair wages, to reasonable hours
OF work and proper working condi-
tons, to n deceit home, to the oppor-
tunity to play. to learn, to worship
and to love as well - 10 toll, and the
responsibility r-sts as heavily upon
industry p upon government or so.
ciety, t. see that these conditions and
opportunities prevail.
Every worker has n right to com.
Portable living conditions. As a fellow
human being. the worker is entitled
to health. comfort and contentment.
Wage scales should be measured In
these items and not in dollars.
This is no plea for paternalism.
Personally. I dislike even the word.
These elements OF health and happi-
ness must be provided not through
chance generosity nor paid welfare
schemes. but they must be adopted in
the spirit OF fair play; in the spirit
of common sense. I am sure thai my
added burden that may temporarily
appear upon the adoption OF such a
policy will be taken care of in in
creased production and the elimination