at not higher wages but recognition as men was what
they really sought. What joy can there be in life, what interest can a man
take in his work, what enthusiasm can he be expected to develop on behalf
of his employer, when he is regarded as a number on a payroll, a cog in a
wheel, a mere "hand"? Who would not earnestly seek to gain recognition of
his manhood and the right to be heard and treated as a human being, not as
a machine?

While obviously under present conditions those who invest their capital in
an industry, often numbered by the thousand, cannot have personal
acquaintance with the thousands and tens of thousands of those who invest
their labor, contact between these two parties in interest can and must be
established, if not directly then through their respective representatives.
The resumption of such personal relation through frequent conference and
current meetings, held for the consideration of matters of common interest
such as terms of employment, and working and living conditions, is
essential in order to restore a spirit of mutual confidence, good will, and
cooeperation. Personal relations can be revived under modern conditions only
through the adequate representation of the employees. Representation is a
principle which is fundamentally just and vital to the successful conduct
of industry. This is the principle upon which the democratic government of
our country is founded. On the battlefields of France this nation poured
out its blood freely in order that democracy might be maintained at home
and that its beneficent institutions might become available in other lands
as well. Surely it is not consistent for us as Americans to demand
democracy in government and practice autocracy in industry.

What can this conference do to further the establishment of democracy in
industry and lay a sure and solid foundation for the permanent development
of cooeperation, good-will, and industrial well being? To undertake to agree
on the details of plans and methods is apt to lead to endless controversy
without constructive result. Can we not, however, unite in the adoption of
the principle of representation, and the agreement to make every effort to
secure the endorsement and acceptance of this principle by all chambers of
commerce, industrial and commercial bodies, and all organizations of labor?
Such action I feel confident would be overwhelmingly backed by public
opinion and cordially approved by the federal govern