MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 2o 



dation is broader and its outlook less restricted. One essential to tlie develop- 

 ment of industrial democracy is the recognition of labor organizations. 

 "Within-the-family" organizations will almost inevitably be dominated by the 

 most powerful interest which is almost certain to be in such a case the 

 employer interest. However, the most significant step taken in the organiza- 

 tion of labor in recent months, the shop steward's movement in England, is 

 essentially a "within-the-family" organization. 



Up to date, labor organizations in the United States have been primarily 

 fighting machines ; their functions have been mainly protective. The hostile 

 attitude of employers and employers' associations have inevitably produced 

 this reaction. Unions cannot be expected to take any active interest in pro- 

 duction problems until their members are assured that the necessity of con- 

 tinuing as a fighting organization is a thing of the past. With increasing 

 participation in governmental affairs on the part of labor, guarantees of a 

 living family wage, greater security of employment, a short working day, and 

 the cooperation of committees of workers with the representatives of capital 

 in business management, a marked and significant change may be expected in 

 the structure, ideals and functions of labor organizations, and in the attitude 

 of their members toward restriction of output and kindred difficulties which 

 now bulk large on the industrial horizon. The instinct of workmanship or 

 contrivance, the creative impulse or spark "cannot actively assert itself until 

 the instincts more directly concerned with immediate survival are given satis- 

 faction."' Efficiency in industry or in other forms of human endeavor depends 

 in a large measure upon releasing the creative impulse, upon the joint responsi- 

 bility of labor and capital. Definite recognition of labor organizations and the 

 participation of representatives of the workers in the councils of industry give 

 promise of being fundamental factors in the next forward step in industry. 

 The War has given the idea of collective bargaining a firm foothold. It was 

 very definitely promoted by the National War Labor Board. The war exper- 

 ience of the nation shows clearly that it should become a permanent factor in 

 our industrial organization. 



It is also clear that many union rules and regulations do not permit ot 

 maximum productivity. In England, the exigencies of the Great War made it 

 necessary to sweep aside the great mass of union restrictions. Regulations 

 primarily intended to defend unionism have limited output and impaired 

 eflSciency. In a large measure, the problem under consideration is one of 

 transforming unionism from being a negative or restrictive force or factor to 

 that of being a positive or directive force or factor in industry. As this salu- 

 tary transformation is in the process of consummation, restrictive rules will be 

 gradually sloughed off. 



'Tead, Instincts in Industry, p. 150. 



