The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1945-04-13
NEWS and VIEWS

The new management-labor charter
is generally recognized as welcome
contribution toward industrial peace
No one can quarrel with the lofty sen.
timents and aspirations expressed by
the three signers of that document.
But it will take more than the
Green-J Johnston-Mur declaration tc
make the American people realize the
significance of our postwar labor prob
lem. The signers of the charter have
recognized the fact by appointing a
national committee whose duty will be
ito promote understanding and SYM
pathetic acceptance of this code of
principles and to propose such
national policies as will advance the
best interests of our nation"
The committee and it's advisers have
a full schedule cut out for them if
the charter is to live halfway up to
expectations. To mention a few spec
ific issues; development of an over
all program to cope with difficulties
on the production line; management
union relations on a national and plant
basis; proper use of manpower; rat
ing and incentive plans, promotion,
seniority and other personnel ques-
tions often hedged in by archaic and
political rules; foreign trade rela-
tions; social trends such as health,
medical care, pensions, ETC.; wage
standards; continuous employment and
regularization of production. And
finally, what about the political issues
involved in such a far-reaching eco
nomic program?
Beyond these questions looms the
all-important attitude of the American
people toward postwar industrial re-
lations. Anyone acquainted with con-
ditions and the present mood of large
workers groups in our great indus
trial centers will recognize the press
ing need for better understanding
and cooperation between management
and labor Before the spirit of the
charter can be realized powerful sec
tions of industry as we'll as labor must
be made to see that their mutual in
terests coincide to large extent.
That is rarely the case today, pre-
cisely the reason for adoption of the
charter. Overshadowing it all is
dense cloud of make-shift war labor
policies and mounting government in
reference which, to speak bluntly, Of
ten make present-day industrial rela-
tions fostering sore.
In the midst of general praise, this
column should like to stress the spade
work that has to be done before we
can expect the peace charter to bloom.
There is need for:
u intelligent and far-seeing un-
ion leadership that will bride
irresponsible elements in la
boris ranks;
p agreement on both sides upon
the treatment of specific is
sues;
81 a program of national educa-
ton that will help. overcome
the handicap of mutual dis
trust;
d. a wide-awake public opinion
that realizes there can be no
domestic peace or prosperity
without curbing of abuses on
special provileges.
Much as this column approves of
any steps making for better indus
trial relations, it might have been the
better part of wisdom to take time
out for debates and proper formula
tion of comprehensive program. A
national industry labor conference
with government and other interested
groups in an advisory capacity-would
help to clarity the underlying issues.
As it is, the new charter is valu-
able link in the chain of like declara-
tions of the Atlantic, Philadelphia,
Teheran and Yalta type. To make it
serve the American people we must
think less in charter cliches and more
of applying our brains and ingenuity