Evening star., 1934-03-26
Roosevelt Statement
President Interprets Section Ia of N. I. r. Il.
Board of Three Is Explained-Ne~ Basis
of Industrial Relations Is Seen.

| plUyco. i WUulu slAE Jou w AiioW
that In the settlement Just reached
| in the automobile industry We have
charted q new course in social en-
cheering in the United States. 1t
Is my hope that out Of this will come
q new realization Of the opportunities
OF capital and labor not only to COM
pose their differences at the coEfer-
ence table and to recognize their re-
spective rights and responsibilities
but also to establish a foundation on
which they can cooperate in better
ing the human relationships involved
in any large industrial enterprise.
It Is peculiarly fitting that thii
great step forward should be taken In
an industry whose employers and EN-.
ployes have contributed so consistent
ly and so substantially to the in
dustrial and economic development OF
this country In the last quarter CEN
tury. Having pioneered in mechan-
| ical invention to a point where the
whole world marvek at the perfec.
ton and economy Of American motor
cars and their widespread ownership
by our citizens in every walk of life
this industry has indicated now Its
willingness to undertake pioneer
effort in human engineering on q
basis never before attempted.
In the settlement just accomplished
two outstanding advances have been
achieved. In the first place We have
set forth a basis on which, for the
first time in any large industry, a
more comprehensive, a more adequate
and a more equitable system of in
dustrial relations may be built than
ever before. 1t is my hope that this
system may develop into a kind OF
works council in industry in which
all groups of employees, whatever may
be their choice of organization OF
form Of representation. may partici-
pate in joint conferences with their
employers and I am assured by the
industry that such is also their goal
and wish.
Not One Sided Statute.
In the second place, we have for
the first time written into an indus
trial settlement a definite rule for
the equitable handling of reductions
and increases of forces. 1t would be
ideal if employment in all occupa
tons could be more generally stabil.
iZed. but in the absence of that much
desired situation, If we can establish
a formula which gives weight to the
human factors as well as the eco
nomic, social and organizational fac.
tors in relieving the hardship of sea
sonal lay-off, we shall have accom-
plished great deal. My view, and
that Of both employees and employers
is that We have measurably done so in
this settlement
This is not a one-sided statute anc
organizations Of employees seeking tc
exercise their representative right:
cannot at the same time be unmind.
ful of their responsibilities.
Industry's obligations are clearly
set forth and its responsibilities are
established. 1t is not too much Il
expect organizations Of employees tt
observe the same ethical and mora
responsibilities even though they art
not specifically prescribed by tht
statute. Only in this way can indus
try and its workers 60 forward with
united front in their assault on de-
preston and gain for both the desired
benefits of continually better times.