The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-11-17
BLAZING THE WAY.
Plans for Peace Between Capital
and Labor Discussed.
Closing Sessions OF the Conference at Chi
cago-A Resolution Favoring the APP
pointment OF - National Com
mission Adopted.

Cancellation and arbitration congress-
opened Wednesday morning under the
auspices OF madam president-the
madam" being Miss Jane Adams, of
Hullhouse.
The particular subject for discussion
was the relation of manufacturers and
employees, and the first speaker was
Joseph ID. Weeks, editor OF the Amer
lean Manufactures and Iron World
A paper treating of sliding scales
and kindred methods was read bv NJ.
NJ. Garland, president OF the Amalga-
mated Association OF Iron and Steel
Workers Mr.. Garlands paper was
descriptive OF the sliding-scale sys-
tenn and its workings
The morning session was ended when
the discussion over Mr. Garland's ad-
dress was terminated. The congress
reconvened at 2 o'clock and heard Car
roll ID. Wright, United States labor
commissioners, give an address on
these three topics: "Distinction Re-
tween Compulsory and Voluntary Ar
bitration.' distinction Between Com
/ pulsory Arbitration and Public Inves-
tigation of Labor Disputes and dis
tinction Between Adjudication Of Past
Contracts and Settlement OF Future
Ones
Mr.. Wright said in part:
j the distinction between compulsory and
/ voluntary arbitration is the distinction be-
\ tween a continued conflict and the supremacy
1 OF reason la all cases where the courts have
/ jurisdiction, the question OF arbitration enters
in. There should always precede arbitration
an attempt az Cancellation. As for compulsory
arbitration, IL IS not 20 be thought OF II law
! were made compelling workmen or employers
10 accede to decree OF the court under PEN
atty, 10 could not be enforced man should
be ashamed OF himself n ne does not conduct
his business In such a manner as 70 prevent
strikes.
THE second division OF my subject-the dis
tinction between compulsory arbitration and
public investigation OF labor disputes
been too little discussed. I believe IN these
public investigations Publicity is always
salutary."
Mr. Wright then read from the re-
port OF the national labor commission
in which a permanent national com
mission is recommended which shall
move quickly and fix the responsibility
of any strike which it may have un-
der investigation. lie continued:
Let the responsibility be fixed. and pub
Tic opinion viii do the rest. There is not a
railroads not corporation OF any kind
IN the United States that would dare stand
out against the unbiased opinion OF men that
IL was In the wrong. Public condemnation Is
very severe thing TO face II is often wrong
but Il Is good while IL lasts, and until the pre-
sentation OF new facts changes IL. IL Is more
potent than mandate OF the courts"
William II. Sayward OF Boston, Sec
rotary OF the National Association OF
Builders, opened the evening session
OF the congress, which was the last,
with extended remarks upon The Re-
lation Between Employer and En-
ploye in the Building Trades" lie said. |
THE labor problem should not be APP /
preached by employers subject I'm which /
sympathy plays any part whatever The em- /
ployer is not such superior person. nor /
f. his position so superior that ne can 4
adopt such paternal style. The work. !
men have never applied 10 employers /
Tor sympathy IL Is solely Justice that tho |
workmen want. The only basis which is at an /
applicable is that OF business. The interests |
Of employer and workmen are not identical
Their relations are OF the buyer and seller"
As final remedy the speaker advo-
Gated organization OF both employers
and workingmen which would lead to
conferences and agreements between
the two classes
Necessity for Mutual Organization"
was the subject assigned Samuel Com
pers, president OF the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. lie declared that
the man who assisted, i'm any way, the
organization OF labor was a public
benefactor, inasmuch as organization
assisted in Cancellation and arbitra-
ton. He continued:
The strike Is but one OF the eruptions OF
the labor movement and one OF the infrequent
occurrences considered beside the great work
that the organization OF labor performs and
even these strikes men and women who are
honest desire zealously 20 see entirely elimi-
mated or reduced In number. hut will the de-
nuneiation Of strikes prevent strikes, His
tory has proven the very opposite TO DO
the fact The truth is that when work.
men denounce strikes, when they are led by
belief that strikes arc to their injury. their at.
tention is diverted from this means OF defense,
and greater advantages are taken OF them by
unfair, INSCRIPTIONS employers and strikers
are provoked entirely unnecessarily An or
ganization OF labor which resolves that under
no circumstances will Il strike reminds ma
very much OF a militia regiment which re-
solved that upon the breaking out OF war IL
would disband.
As one who has been Intimately and closely
With the labor movement for more
than thirty years from boyhood- say TO you
that have yet 20 receive copy OF the constl-
tuition OF any general organization or local or
ganization OF labor which has not the pro-
vision In II contained that before any strike
shall be undertaken. Cancellation or arbitra-
ton shall be tried
To urge arbitration previous TO the organ-
ration OF labor simply means the destruction
n the interests OF labor. Compulsory nrbitra-
lion compulsory arbitrationf Not IN the
Torkingmen Of America know IL I would
iny 20 you one who Is law
abiding citizen. one who revercs the
Institutions under which We live as one who
wants 10 help In handing down the republic OF
'ur country 20 our children and to posterlty
inimpaired but Improved. n we can would
ay that would advise my fellow workmcn
md women 10 rise and resist by every means
within their power any attempt 70 force COM
'ulsory arbitration upon them.
This was the concluding paper Of
he congress, and the body adjourned
inc die. IL was the general opinion
Il the delegates 20 the convention that
he congress has been eminently sue
essful