Excerpt from Carpenter
To assist in the formulation and enactment of sound and constructive legislation to oppose the passage of unsound and unfair laws and to urge the amendment or repeal of impracticable and unjust statutes. To secure the proper co-operation between the government and industry. To create a general realization of the national benefits of industrial prosperity to employer, employe and consumer and a better understanding of industrial questions and their relationship to the public welfare.
On the face of it this high sounding declaration of principles seems harmless enough and although Colonel Pope in elaborating upon the mission of the new organization indulges less in platitudes than usual, still no trade uniouist will be gulled into believing that in purpose and intent it is not aimed particularly against organized labor. The names of those who thus far are connected with it furnish evidence of that, for despite Colonel Pope"s protestations in regard to "industrial freedom," only a simpleton could be capable of believing that the Kirby"s, Pope"s and Parry"s, the Drew"s and Emery"s, etc., had simultaneously undergone a change of heart and had renounced the reactionary views regarding labor which have always characterized them.
Undoubtedly the steady growth and increased influence which the trade union movement has experienced in recent years, corresponding with the enlightenment of the general public in regard to labor"s aims, and the advance of social legislation in state and nation have been factors in forcing the opposing forces to make a supreme effort to stem the tide of progress. The shape their efforts will take, the public no doubt will soon learn and then we shall be in a better position to note how far their activities in this new departure will affect organized labor.
All will depend on the road which this "Conference Board" will choose. If they want war, they undoubtedly shall have it, President Gompers has made that clear; if, on the other hand, they show a more enlightened understanding and conception of the labor problem than such organizations have hitherto displayed, most assuredly organized labor will not stand in their way. "Co-operation between employer and employe," says Colonel Pope, "must exist to promote the conditions industrially which we all desire (i.e. industrial freedom), not in a paternal attitude but in the establishing of a spirit of confidence that the material welfare of employes is truly the care of the employer." If they are sincere in their belief then let them show a more enlightened attitude toward organized labor, let them cast aside old prejudices and recognize the partnership of labor in industry. By doing so, they have the opportunity of a lifetime to usher in an era of industrial peace; history would be created by their action and true co-operation between employer and employe in the industrial world would be for once accomplished.
Indications so far, however, fail to show that the Conference Board is imbued with any such exalted ideals as would give labor adequate recognition in the control of industry. From what we can gather the other extreme seems to be their goal, that of a policy of anti-unionism developed to the uttermost. In all probability there will be an elaboration of the policy of blacklisting so as to embrace a wider circle of industries through the medium of the associations affiliated with the Board; the spy systems and the scab detective agencies so useful to the associations in the past will no doubt do a larger volume of business, and the legislative and political program of the Board will be interpreted to apply toward the defeat of all labor legislation and political candidates friendly to labor.
Before inaugurating such a sweeping campaign, however, the associated employers would do well to heed the warning addressed to them by President Gompers. Это и многое другое вы найдете в книге Carpenter (Classic Reprint)