W. B. Wilson and the Department of Labor (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1919 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXII What Of The Future? "what is the chief purpose of your life as you see it?" This question was one day put to William B. Wilson. "Establishing industrial peace," answered the Secretary instantly. Establishing industrial peace has been the life work of the Secretary. Labor leaders--and he has been a labor leader most of his life--in many quarters are supposed to thrive on turmoil and strikes. But this big, ruddy, earnest miner has always been an advocate of arbitration, adjustment, and peace. Moreover, this attitude has been impressed upon the entire Department of Labor. Any opinions of employers to the contrary are incorrect. "Industrial peace," he said in explanation of his answer, "is both an economic and a sociological necessity. It is not an idle dream, but a practical possibility. The chief requirement in achieving it is ability on the part of those dealing with issues as they arise to put themselves in the other fellow's place; to view the question from all sides fairly and justly. "To a degree there is partnership between labor and capital. Their interests are parallel in the matter of securing a maximum production with a minimum effort. Only beyond that point do their interests diverge. Then comes the question of a division of the profits, with each side humanly wanting more than the other side is at first willing to concede. "At the point of divergence the practical, sensible thing is for capital and labor to sit down quietly as business men and argue the thing out. Mutual concessions must be made. It is much easier to secure mutual concessions after discussion when each side has come to understand the point of view of the other side." Here Secretary Wilson illustrated his point by describing the annual conference held in the bituminous...