The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-15
MUTUAL INTEREST .PR0SPER|TY's BASE
George Berry Tells Union Men Enmity To Employer
 Is Mistake

More of the spirit of Christianity and less of the spirit of strife, great CT cooperation through greater knowledge of the other man, and less understanding weYe urged as the only strife through more sympathy and real solution of Americas industrial problems by Maj. George l.. Berry, international president of the Print ing Pressmen's union and past nation al vice president of the American Legion, in an address Monday night at banquet of the Birmingham Pressmen's union in Greenwood's cafe. Representatives of dozen organi- zations9imilar to the one represented by Major Berry were on hand as guests of the pressmens union: and their spokesmen paid tribute to the guest of honor and referred in high praise to his work in behalf of organ ized labor. Representatives of Birminghams s three daily newspapers were also present and spoke of Major Berry's efforts to improve the conditions of the men who operate the machines that are part of the printing bus mess.
 The home for aged and indigent members of the pressmen's union was spoken of several times as one of the most important accomplishments of his twelve years as international pres- ident of the organization. Commits sioner William l.. Harrison was also on hand to convey the greetings of the city of Birmingham.
 o O o Reason For Difference.
 The differences of opinion and df- visions and dissensions that have be- come part of our national and inter- n 1at nf large measure to lack of human contact between one man and an- other," Major Berry said. 'We have become divided into groups. large and small, and one group has lost con- tact with and interest in the men and women who compose the other groups. It is our task to work for a better understanding, so that we may know one another and ike one another better"
 The speaker referred to the pres ence of representative of the dozen or more printers unions at the ban quet and spoke of it as a good sign and an indication of better relations among the various trades and crafts.
 Workers in all lines are much bet ter off in America today than they have ever been since the republic was founded" he said, because this bet ter understanding of which I spoke is beginning to appear. Not only in physical things, such as more money for automobiles and homes, but in that increasing pride which they are beginning to take in their work and the disappearance of the my man and my shop attitude formerly shown by the employers, is their lot better than it has ever been before. No real satisfaction or pride in ones work can be derived out of a task in which the man or woman at work is not in- terested.
 Light Dawning.
 We are reaching a point now when we realize that the employer of labor and the men employed have the same aims in common" he con- tinued, We are beginning to realize that prosperity and better pay come only from better business conditions. and these are largely the result of working for the common end by all concerned. Employers and the cap italists who own the plants and fac- tories must know by this time that the trades unions are not seeking to confiscate their property. They must learn to do more than merely operate machines. There mustTbe a working together in order to break down the silly notion that a certain amount of antagonism must exist between em- ployers and employees"
 Ownership of property, a growing bank account. community of interest in the stability of business and the continuance of prosperity. and a fair division of profits among all the men and women whose labor and brains made them possible were urged as the four principles upon which friendly relations should be developed.
 Ownership of property is one of the best possible antidotes for un- Americanism," the speaker said. "I hope also to see every member in possession of a bank account. We must especially realize the importance of our work in the continuity of good business conditions; and in the equitable distribution of profits, neither group should be arbitrary and try to dictate how this distribution shall take place. It Is most impor- tant that we cultivate sound business and spirit of genuine Christianity Such spirit would insure good bus mess and good Americanism. as we'll"
 Short addresses were delivered by Henry c. West, Typographical union; c. o. Kennell, of the Bookbinders' union; H. B. Bowen, of the Age-Her- aid; Victor Hanson, of The Birming- ham News; J. H. F. Moseley, of the Labor Advocate; John Schneider, and several others. A. L. Morton was toastmaster and delivered the address of welcome.
 The following officers for the new year were elected at a recent meeting of the Birmingham Pressmen's union; Fred W. Worral, president; R. V. Mullen, vice president; Edward P. Le- noir, secretary-treasurer.