Evening star., 1938-12-11
Manufacturers ADOPT
Conti|iatory Policy
AT Annual Session
Bronch Of Peuce Held
Out to Government
And Labor
By the Associated Press.

A~6V AOAtxAS DCNs AOs-~0kxy1x1k
with them what appeared to be an
olive branch for peace with Gov
ernment and labor, representatives
of $4,000 manufacturers. big and
little, dispersed for home today.
Having attended the ,three-day
sessions of the Congress of Ameri-
can Industry" staged by the Ma.
tional Association Of Manufacturers,
they took with them pronounce
ment Of policy notable for its con-
ciliatory tone, in contrast with the
fighting mood of most other big
business gatherings in recent years.
While individual speakers before
the sessions which ended last night
had not hesitated to berate various
activities and aspects Of Govern
ment, the conventions platform"
and resolutions were notable for
the lack of specific criticisms and
demands for repeal of legislation,
which characterized previous con-
ventions.
Shift Seen Significant.
Even though conciliatory pro-
nouncements were adopted, this was
accomplished only after considerable
wrangling in private meetings of
drafting committees. Some observ-
ers, however, said the shift in tenor
was distinctly significant.
1t seemed to reflect, they held, at
least q partial acceptance Of the
sweeping business and financial re-
forms instituted by the New Deal
and a return of reinsurance in the
belief the November national elec-
tions indicated swing of popular
favor back to support of private in
dustry.
Some spokesmen interpreting the
change, summed it up by saying
business generally had moved a lit
tie to the left while the public was
shifting rightward, thus narrowing
the gap for compromise.
Bolstering that impression have
been recent vents in Wall Street,
particularly the re-making of the
New York Stock Exchange admin
1stration for closer cooperation with
the Securities and Exchange Com
mission.
Public Attitude Sympathetic.
Summing up the 1899 program at
the close Of the congress, H. w.
Prentis, jr., president Of the Arm
strong Cork Co., Lancaster, Pa.
said the public attitude toward
American business is more sympa-
thetic than 1t has been for a decade,
Guided by new torch of social
stewardship" he added, industry had
10 take account of this turn in the
tide for future guidance.
After asserting "the American peo-
pie the past nine years have SUI
Tered a distinct loss in personal
self-reliance and in community re-
sponslbility,s he continued:
ANY fair appraisal will give due
weight to the awakening Of q new
sense OF social responsibility, and to
the progressive steps that have been
taken by Government in respect to
Unemployment compensation, old
age pensions; labor relations. slum
clearance. and the correction of
abuses In the security markets.
A small minority of American
business, he said, abused its priyi-
leges and failed to accept its re-
sponsibilities.
But a new generation of indus
trlai executives is now growing up
IN America" he remarked.
Guidance h Offered.
The programs formulated in COM
mlttee indicated conciliatory trend
compared with last years meet
ing. The labor relations program
outlined only few cardinal points
Tor guidance in labor legislation
and policies, rather than specific
demands for changes in national
laws. as were made in the 1927
meeting.
In the labor relations platform
the manufacturers recognized COL
lectlve bargaining and the right
OF workers to choose their own
bargaining representatives, but in
sisted upon equal treatment for all.
employers and employees.
The congress assembled this year
under brighter business skies. A
year ago industry was in the midst
OF one Of the fastest slumps in
the Nations history, following the
autumn collapse of security mar
kets and commodity prices.
This may have accounted in part,
1t was suggested, for the sharper
criticisms in the industrialists' pro-
nouncements last year.
The platform" adopted in the
1887 congress specifically asked Gov
eminent to abandon schemes for
redistributing wealth and income.
In the 1899 program, the manu.
facturers admitted "our share" of
mistakes and then called upon busi-
ness to address itself to the task
OF providing more jobs and rails
ing the standards of living for
Americas 100000 families.
Americas main problem today,
1t said, is to apply "time-tested prin-
ciples and institutions" to present
requirements. Communism and
Fascism alike were abundantly con-
demned IN the congress as ways out
OF the country's difficulties.