Evening star., 1937-07-06
INDUSTRIAL PEACE
URGED BY ROPER
Warns Autocratic Control
Of Both Factions Is Only
Alternative.

Warning that autocratic control OF
both industry and labor is the only
alternative If these principals in con-
troversy fail to assume the proper OBJ
legations of restraint, self-discipline
and service was given last night by
Secretary of Commerce Roper in an
address In the National Radio Forum.
The forum is sponsored jointly by
The Evening Star and the National
Broadcasting Co. and is broadcast over
. national network.
Citing the responsibilities of both
employers and employees under the
national labor relations act. the Sec
retary added:
The proper right to strike must be
safeguarded, but equally fundamental
is the right to work. Coercion has no
proper place IN this program.
Advice to EXTREMISTS"
EXTREMISTS on either side Of the
prevailing controversy should har-
monize their views with the objective
attitude of the majority who are con-
structively seeking a peaceful solu-
ton"
The text of the Secretary's address
follows:
I thank Mr.. Oliver Owen Kuhn,
managing editor OF The Washington
Star, and the National Broadcasting
Co. for the opportunity afforded me
tonight to visit again with the Nasion-
wide family of the Radio Forum. The
commendable objective of this Radio
Forum, now entering on its seventh
year, is to help the American people
to better keep pace with and better
understand national problems through
the process of free discussion.
On the natal day anniversary Of the
oldest and greatest democracy in the
world, we naturally think in terms
human relations. Accordingly. use
as my subject: Industry and Labor
Their Mutual Problems"
Constructively analyzed the aim OF
these interdependent groups should be
fundamentally the same. They both
seek human happiness in a country
committed to that attainment by all
OF its citizens. This can only be Sc
cured through peaceful evolution and
never through force or revolution. Dif-
ferences arise frequently, not. how
ever. over ultimate objectives, but
over the mechanics of procedure for
obtaining economic progress, and
hence, human happiness. In opening
our discussion this evening we natur-
ally reflect on the fact that this is
the 16lst anniversary Of the founding
OF our Government. The purpose OF
the founders was to launch Govern
ment that would provide men and
women opportunities for cooperative
development.
Recent Trend Cited.
Notwithstanding our decades OF
preachments for liberty and oppor-
tunity under Our democracy, We have
not yet wisely co-ordinated attitudes
In the absolutely necessary mutual
endeavors through which alone the
needed results can be secured In
recent years evidence has been un-
folding that men and women are
becoming more desirous of self
expression as means to their socia
and economic betterment.
Thus have come leaders, insisting
on the everyday practice Of the theory
OF democracy, that is, the fulfllment
OF the contention that the people can
wisely govern themselves, if kept
truthfully informed. The unfolding
Of democracy has been dependent
upon the correct understanding and
Just Interpretation Of its principles.
Associated with this is the willing
ness Of all to conform to the changes
in the mechanics OF adjustment.
Interpreted for our times, democracy
may be said to be an awakened con-
sciousness of the people to their duty
to give and take in their recognized
necessity Of advancing the common
good, II they would safely advance the
good of one unit of society.
A half century ago Thomas Carlyle
projected this thought. He asserted
that the danger in maintaining the
necessary balance in human relations
might be that the people would stress
opportunities out of proportion to
duties. We would de we'll to reflect
on that prophecy in considering our
nlodern-day problems.
Condition In 1776.
From the historical approach. we
zee in all Of its physical aspects our
national beginning in the crude
equipment of natural resources. In
1776 we had 13 colonies and 1000, 900
population, but land richly endowed
with wonderful resources. Except for
= few water wheels, windmills and
animals, our whole civilization de-
pended upon manpower. The pro-
cessing Of raw materials was by hand.
AS recently as go years ago, we were
predominantly an agricultural people,
still dependent largely upon hand
labor. Then with magic rapidity we
plunged dramatically into a romance
OF power and machines-coal, oil, gas,
hydroelectric energy This was the
dawn Of the machine age" Today
We have 48 States, a total of 1877
100000 people and a technology that
looks to reduction of the muscle load
on human beings. We now have at