Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-14
ON FRIENDLY TERMS.
A Plan for Employers and Employees
TO Come Together and
DISCUSS VITAL LABOR PROBLEMS.
President Rae Suggests Terms Upon Which
the Miners Might Settle.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL ITEMS

A movement is likely to be put on foot
during the winter months by which a
closer relationship can be created between
workingmen and their employers. The
methods as suggested by the promoters
by which this condition of affairs
is to be secured by holding at
stated intervals, public meetings, at which
both employers and employees shall be pres
ent; the speakers to be chosen from the
rank and file, and no paid orators with
theoretical arguments to be allowed to
speak. 1t is argued that in this way feel
ing of friendliness and harmony would be
insured, together with the benefit of an ad-
vancement of practical ideas and plans for
the peaceful solution of local necessities
If the scheme is carried through it may be
that the public meetings will be arranged,
independent of any organization, or they
may be held in connection with stated meet
ings of the Central Trades Council, and
among the topics to be discussed will be the
question of wages and hours, the benefit Of
organization, both for capital and labor; the
apprenticeship question and the different
modes of settling disputes
THE IMPORTANCE OF HARMONY.
The plan suggested has been on foot for
some days, its purpose being to bring about
more harmonious relations between the en-
ployers and employees, and particularly to
avoid such strained relations as existed dur
ing the recent building trades strike. The
gentleman who is engineering the scheme
wishes his name withheld for the present.
But he is a carpenter, and In speaking about
it yesterday, he said:
'"The importance, as affecting the inter-
ests of builders generally, of establishing
some means of bringing contractors and
workmen into harmonious contact with
each other for the consideration of subjects
touching their common welfare, cannot
be over estimated. By these means the
first and most important stumbling block
in the path of more perfect understanding
of the duties devolvlng upon each is re-
moved. Questions that have previously
been avoided can be brought up for discus
sion, and only by considering these duties
are they recognized and established.
''The greatest drawback to the welfare of
the building trades that exists to-day is
lack of comprehension of proper rights and
legitimate action, and SO long as the en-
ployers and workmen remain apart, Just so
long will the present condition of affairs
continue to exist Each interest when con-
sidered separately, without the presence
and influence of the other, naturally pro-
duces one-sided and imperfect con-
clusions. Mutual understanding between
two parties to any discussion or condition
must be arrived at before an equitable ad-
iustment can be effected. These mutual
understandings cannot be obtained unless
both parties participate in the adjustment,
and no adjustment is secured until each
party agrees to do Its share.
MEANS TO PREVENT STRIKES
"Some means should be provided in every
branch for bringing about full
recognition of the rights and duties
incumbent upon both employers and
workmen, and above all to avoid any such
difficulties as we have had this year. En-
ployers and employees will do a world of
good if they can bring themselves together
on an equal plane and agree to submit all
their differences next year to arbitration.
j. B. Rae, National President of the
United Mine Workers of America, was told
of the movement last night. 'It is a splen-
did idea," said he ~ should like to see
that tried, because 1 have thought for long
time that something like that would help
the two sides to arrive at conclusions more
amicably, and without such fatal delays.
1 say fatal, because the longer a settlement
is delayed the more disastrous it is to both
employer and employees. A plan, such as
is suggested, would be an educational fea-
ture in which all parties would be brought
to better understanding of each others
interests"
One or two others were spoken to, and
all united in pronouncing the plan an ex-
cellent one. It is argued that the meet
ings could be held in the winter season
when the building trades are in measure
resting, and more time could be found to
attend them