The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-15
Facing The Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

Has organized business adopted
more intelligent attitude toward or
ganized labor?
That would be good news, if true.
And we are beginning to believe there
is some truth in it.
For instance, twice within the past
few months the United States Cham
Der of Commerce issued statements
opposing compulsory anti-strike legis-
lation. Both statements emphasized
that the only way to get results in
the defense program is through vol
untary cooperation between industry
and labor.
Now that is just what the American
Federation of Labor has been saying
all along. 1t is encouraging to note
that organized business realizes that
compulsory Legislation, such as the
Vinson Bill, would disrupt national
defense rather than expedite it.
The position of the United States
Chamber of Commerce is even more
heartening because it implies a will
ingness on the part of business to CO.
operate and bargain on friendly terms
with labor. An organization of busi-
nessmen might ordinarily have en-
Enthusiastically supported the Vinson
Bill. At the least, the natural ex-
pectation would be that such an or
ganization would keep hands off SO
that it would not be suspected of en-
gineering the legislation. Therefore
outright opposition comes as well
come surprise.
A Business Lesson
Because of these developments, we
watched the progress of the recent
annual convention of the United
States Chamber of Commerce with
more than usual interest. We cannot
say that the meeting was exactly pro.
labor, but there were further indica
tions of developing consciousness
among businessmen that it is better
business to face the reality of labor
organization and deal with it in
telligently than to continue a policy
Of blind and unreasoning resistance
We have reason to believe that some
hard headed and wide-awake repre-
sentatives of organized business have
managed to convince their less-dis
corning colleagues that the time ha
come to exercise good business sens,
in labor relations.
This idea is not being "sold" to tn,
recalctrant induStrialists on an ideal
ogical basis. 1t is advanced as Z;
cold, commons business PROPOSE
ton. We are glad of that because WI
have much more confidence in the re
action of an industrialist to a goot
business proposition than to a glow
ing ideal.
Here is the situation. The factorie
Of the nations are working at capac
ty with tremendous backlogs of un
filled orders. National defense ha
brought business boom. Satisfac
tory and continuing profits are ther
for the taking.
| Now it would be foolhardy to jeop
ardize these profits by inviting labo
troubles. The smart, business-lik
thing to do is to stabilize production
and prevent labor troubles by sign
ing contracts with union organization
representing the workers That's al
there's to it. 1t is simple and goo
business.
"Come On And Get 1t"
OF course, it makes things nicer al
around to dress up practical polio
such as this with coating of patriot
ism. Not that we for momen
doubt the sincere patriotism of tn
great majority of American business
men. We believe that they as well a
the great majority of American work
ingmcn want to do everything in thei
power to help the defense program
But it is very helpful to have a prof
move backing up the patriotic impuls
and we have no fault to find with
whatever.
On the contrary, the American Fed
Grafton of Labor says to business
"Wc are willing to meet you NOR
than half way, We always have beer
We are glad if business at last ha
seen the light"
The American Federation Of Labo
believes in private enterprise. 1t be
lieves that industry is entitled to max
a fair profit. 1t wants business to be
lievc in the right Of workers to OF
ganiZe. 1t wants business to believ
that workers are entitled to fair, dc
cent wages and working conditions.
Likewise, the American Federatio
of Labor believes it would be suicids
to delay the defense program wit
unnecessary strikes. 1t has pledge
itself to a "no strike" policy for tn
duration of the defense emergenc,
1t is just as anxious as business t
continue uninterrupted production.
If industry wants to do bushes
with labor on this basis, we say "Com
on and get it