Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-27
Production for Peace

IO0GSSkSI MI U S0SS
THE war is rapidly compelling adoption of methods by
which controversy between labor and industry is
adjusted without interruption OF production
If this can be done in war--and public opinion is
insisting that it BE done-it can be done in peace
There is a possibility therefore that wholesome
pattern for economic and social life in America will evolve
from this
President Charles f Wilson of the General Electric
Company discussed this possibility with particular force
in a recent public address.
AS TO the war situation and the necessity for con-
tinuous production il is elemental as he said that
when the national safety is stake, the American
people are justified demanding that the orderly
negotiation be resorted to in disputes arising over
wages hours or other conditions of labor that labor be
charged with the same responsibility management for
continuity production that leaders of labor like leaders
in management be held to account for arbitrary action
and that the emergency not be used for OF
the selfish interest of any group.
"Strikes in defense -juTsdictional strikes
strikes for organzatona purposesare as far out OF
order today would be suspension of operations IN an
armament making plant because its management was
dissatisfied with the profits, in machinetool works
because the directors wanted to force another company
which used its product to buy out the enterprise
A GREEMENT this wartime principle is almost
"A universal because the nation whole is well aware
of the incongruy and danger of practice which permits
when continuous production and delivery of weapons IS
the condition of victory for our armed forces
America not merely SHOULD have war production
without stoppage for any reason, but MUST have 1t and
WILL have -reluctant and recacitrant labor leaders
and serve and opportunist politicians Notwithstanding
But the pattern which thus evolves useful and
beneficial in war alone, the American people and
especially American labor will realize after the war is
Peace can be made happier and more prosperous by
perpetual tranquility and production in industry quite as
surely be made effective by the same means
In peace as in war as Mr. Wilson said:
"Our economic system cannot stand the frequent
extensive stoppage of production and employment because
particular group continues to its power to advance
its immediate interest without regard to other interests
including the public interest, vitality concerned; the
stoppage whole industry because group within
1t has a quarrel with management with another group
"\Y1E SHALL never be free from conflicts of some
w sort between employers and employees between
industry and industry long remain free men,
But the longrun interest of society whole must
be paramount and every group must exercise its
social responsibilities"
According to Mr. Wilson, the greatest boon America
will derive from this war apart from victory and peace
will be the fact that:
I'VE have discovered that we have productive power
and capacity that had been using only in part prior
to this emergency"
Will not ability to make continued use OF our
full power and capacity when be the measure
of prosperity and happiness after the war?
The thing we have learned is that the productive life
of the nation which is essential in war must not be i'm
paired Since production is equally important in peace
perhaps we have also learned its impairment is NEVER
without injury to the people and thus never ustifabe