Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1925-04-03
capital AND LABOR
CAN SOLVE PROB
LENS OF INDUSTRY
Nv WILLIAM GREEN. President.
American Federation of Labor.

(From an Address on Modern Tta1e
unionism" by President Green BE
fore the Harvard Union. Cam
bridge, Mass.l
In the domain of industry and in
dustrial endeavor there are numer.
Gus factors which play a part in the
plan of commodity production and
distribution. Some Of these are in
consequential. some important ami
some Indispensable. The outstanding
and primary factors in all industrial
enterprises are capital and labor,
Both are essential In industry and
each is dependent upon the other. Be
tween them there is an interdepen-
dence so fixed and irrevocahle As 10
make complete success attainable only
through understanding and eoopeta-
ton. If there might or could exist
between these two prime factors a
proper regard for the functional exc
else Of each. within their recognized
spheres of jurisdiction, then the are
long conflict between these two force,
would be terminated. This would be
a most happy and desirable accom-
plishment, for with understanding.
good will and cooperation established
between these basic, indispen able
factors in industry. all other elements
could be developed and utilized TO the
highest point of efficiency.
1t is to these problems of industrial
cooperation and understanding that
mooern trade unionism Is addres sing
itself. We do not believe our COM
mon problems are impossible Of solu-
ton nor do we believe the obstacles
TO be met are insurmountable. As eYl-
dence of our faith we refuse 10 accept
the oft-expounded theory that the dit
ferences between capital and labor,
between employer and employees, are
irreconcilable. The conflicts which
arise in industry and which in many
instances become bitter and violent
are directly traceable to a tlagrant
disregard or denial of the common
rights of either employers or en-
ployes. Invariably it arises out of an
attempt to substitute tyranny Tor JUS
tice, autocracy for democracy and
secretiveness and dictation for frank
ness and mutually in industrial fela-
tionships.
To accept The doctrine that the
establishment of right relationship
between employers and employees -
impossible OF attainment means ina
justice and righteousness have been
dethroned and that instead OF refine
ment through education and the
development of keen sense of JUS
tice and intellect we still recognize
the law of the primitive. the rule OF
force, where only might makes right.
do not mean by this that the time
will come when there will be no con
troversy between employers and em-
ployes over what constitutes Just
and equitable division OF the wealth
which their joint. efforts create. such
difference of opinion maniiests IL
self in all forms of human activity
where men barter. buy and sell. IN
Outstanding and agreement upon TINS
controversial subject can with rev
exceptions be reached through the
process lof collective bargaining.
Particularly is this true where both
sides approach consideration of the
disputed question with patience,
frankness and a spirit of justice and
fair.dealing, as between man ana
man.
1t is not a disagreement over wage
which causes the most bitter Indus
trial conflicts. II Is the denial OF the
workers rights to organize and to
bargain collectively which causes
strife, strikes and, in some instances,
industrial warfare. Where the right
of the workers to organize Is coneed-
ed and collective bargaining is pfac-
ticed the possibilities of strikes are
minimized but where abe exercise oil
this right is denied and the workers
are not permitted to act collectively
or speak collectively, through their
chosen representatives, spirit Of re
volt manifests itself and the resort
to strikes becomes increasingly prob
able.
The assurance of complete success
through the medium of collective bar
gaining must be predicted upon a
mutually of interest in industry.
positive understanding must be
reached providing for a pToner regard
and a lust recognition Of the rights
of all concerned Inasmuch as collec-
tive bargaining is based and founded
upon group action the union Of the
workers must be unreservedly reeog-
nized. In similar fashion the right
of employers TO control, direct and
manage industry and TO receive far
return upon invested capital must be
willingly conceded.
A spirit and pur-Ose to follow the
right and to do the right, to take no
unfair advantage, TO practice no trick
erv or deceit, to neither threaten nor
coerce. should govern the representa-
tives of employers and employees in
all wage negotiations and conferences.