The Connecticut labor news., 1924-05-10
INDUSTRIES SELF-DETERMINATION
 By SAMUEL GOMPERS Gin American Federationist for May)

the war has been as generally recog- nized for its importance and soundness as the declaration adopted by the Port land convention in October 1923, entitled "Industry's Manifest Duty.' This gen. eral recognition is one of the most grati-
 flying signs of our present industrial life
 It indicates an understanding of the vi tai issues of the time and a desire to
 follow sound and fundamental American principles in the solution of our indus trial difficulties.
 Perhaps the keynote of that decla- ration was that industry must organize itself It was set forth that industry must bring order to itself constructively or 1t will have an order thrust upon it. The truth of Labor's declaration be- comes more manifest with each passing day and as the situation comes to be more genarally understood in its true light the recognition of the soundness of Labor's philosophy becomes more general. It is obvious today as never be- fore that unless industry can so arga- nize as to govern itself, to impose upon Itself proper restrictions and limitations, and to deal justly, not only with those who participate i'll industry, but with the great masses of the people in general, there will be thrust upon industry state of overlordship that will be as incompe- :& Comments upon Labor's declaration have come from all directions and. from per sons in all walks of life Many of the comments have been marked by an ex- pression of a desire for more detailed nformation-for a more specific pro gram in which the further organization of industry shall be described in detail and plotted in neat squares and circles This, of course, cannot be-
 It is possible to so understand the requirements of industry, the psychology of our people, and the philosophy of our own movement as to set forth a guiding policy. Nothing except time and experi- ence, however, can develop the actual de tailed methods and bring into being the condition for which the policy stands. Those whose comments have been the most thoughtful and understanding, have understood this point of view and have accepted Labors declaration in the sense i'll which 1t was set forth.
 Former Senator Albert Beveridge studied Labor's declaration of Indus try's' Manifest Duty" and in a recent ma gazine article dealing with the subject included this comment
 These short, clear paragraphs are statesmanlike. They might have been written by either Jefferson or Hamilton, by Madison or Marshall, by Cleveland or Harrison-so fundamental are they and charged with public wisdom.''
 This is but one of many comments and but one indication of growing grasp of the bigness and rightness of the phil osophy and the industrial policy that La bor has laid before the people of our Republic.
 The American Federation of Labor has never assumed the roll of prophet The declaration setting forth "Industrys $ Manifest Duty" is not a prophecy, re- gardless of what some of its critics may have had to say. It is one thing set forth a philosophy and policy as a guide to activity and effort, but it is quite another to set forth what will be the detailed results of acting in accord with that policy and philosophy.
 Labor has set forth ill terms that are simple and thoroughly understandable what 1t believes to be the only philoso- phy or line of action by which the in dustrial life of the country can be saved from an avalanche of governmental bu- reaucy and its faith is fixed in prin- ciple thus set forth. Those who have thought out the problem for themselves and who have come to final and fixed conclusion in favor of governmetal bu- reaucy rers8n, of course, un,noved by Labors declaration. Those who have been seeking way out by which great masses of our people might save for themselves that freedom of opportunity and that great range for the satisfaction of individual ambition and initiative which America has always proclaimed as its own and which still exists to large degree, find in the declaration of Labor a gratifying solution of the problem.
 Those who have hoped and believed that there must be a way by which in dutsry, through the exercises of its own intelligence and powers, can bring about the rectihcation of its own injustices and regulate its own conduct, so as to pro duce for every one the fullest possible measure of justice, find in Labor's decla- ration guiding light to that end. Labor hoe cold opI that all of