REPRESENTATION IN INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 207, 27 May 1919, Page 6

REPRESENTATION IN INDUSTRY

VIEWS OP MR. JOHN ROCKEFELLER

Mr. John D. Rockefeller, jun., recently delivered an address belore tiio War Emergency and 'Reconstruction Conference of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Atlantic City, N.J., on December a, 1018. He stated that "in the light of the present every thoughtlul mail must concede that the purpose of industry is quite as much the advancement oi' social well-being as fho accumulation of wealth." He laid stress on the vital interest for the community, as in the laat analysis, controlling. Ha would have Labour, Capital, Management, and Government adequately represented in the councils of industry. He approves of the Whitley Report, which applied to the whole of industry the principle of representative government. "In brief its recommendations are that in the various industries and trades time should be formed joint industrial councils—national, district and 'works.' Labour and Capital, are to bo equally represented in each, and tho councils presided over by'impartial or, neutral officers."

Mr.' ".Rockefeller describes the report on recouslruction made by the British Labour Party as "a most comprehensive and thoughtful document." His own proposals are that there should lie: ".Representatives chosen by _ tho employees in proportion to tiieir number from their fellow-workers in each plant.

"Also joiut committees, composed of equal - numbers of employees or their representatives, and of officers of tho company. _ ; "Thoy should deal with all matters pertaining to employment and working and livinn conditions. "Joint conferences should bo held several times a year.

"There should bo an annual joint con ference. at which reports from'nil dis< tricts are received and considered.

"There should 1)0 nil olKcor known ns the President's Industrial Tiepresenlativc, whoso <bity it is to visit the plants current!v and confer with the employees." , , , The employees 1 right of appeal should he allowed. Any employee with a grievance may go with it at once to his representatives. Tf it is nol g'oniedicd the matter is parried to the local boss, foreman, or superintendent, and, _ further. an appeal is open In the aggrieved employee to tho higher officers and jo the President, or. finally, to a committee of arbitration.

Japan has accomplished the feat cf building a 6tcel steamer of 5800 toils gross and 9000 tons dead weight within 29 days. " '