The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-06

cago Thirty years later he was sent to
Chicago as representative of the city of
Paris to examine the plans of the expo
sition with view to adoption in this
country
A remarkable procession saw him of.
Six thousand mechanics and machinists
Of the Illinois Central road marched to
the depot to bid their former follow
workman farewell It was perhaps
quite as astonishing a spectacle when
Las week q special train carried COM
mittce Of faithful employees of the road
Of which Mr.. Jefery is president to Sa-
Ida to meet their excited and striking
brethren and urge them into peace.
The Policy of Peace.
Mr. JefTery's policy is essentially one
Of peace He favors conference and ar
bitration rather than gatling guns and
deputy sheriffs.
LAS I grow Older - he said to the
writer, II become moro firmly convinc-
cd of the Importance of mutual conf
dence between employer and employee.
There must be absolute good faith as to
wages and hours Of labor. There should
be no tricks or evasions- The employer
and his worl1mcn must be friends And
il case of any doubt give the benefit of
the doubt to the employee every time. -
''Do you regard labor associations
with favor?''
Il think, - Mr. JoGcry thoughtfully
answered THAT the trend of human ma
ture is toward association. We see 1t in
communities, families, states and ma
tions 1t is right hat men should gather
together for protection and mutual ben
eft. Occasionally a well regulated or
EanizatiOn goes too far and blunders-
When the reaction comes, men are set
they generally do what is right Indus
trial organizations, if rightly founded,
are based on the greatest good to the
greatest number
''They should como into conflict with
none of the institutions or laws of the
country and should have for their OBJ
ject the welfare of the community and
state. The Brotherhood of Engineers
and tho Order Of Railway Conductors
and many others arc working on the
lines I have indicated. -
To Avoid Strikes.
elbow may strikes be avoided?''
s'The only way I know Of avoiding
such troubles as we have just witnessed
is full and free conference between
vorlzmen and employers, having q just
conclusion in view 1t is not to DO ex-
pected that two parties will always
agree; but, as a rule, a fair course can be
marked out to which both can agree
''Will labor, in your opinion, derive
any benefit from the progress now to be
seen en- every hand?''
Il believe, - said Mr.. Jefery earnest
ly, ''that we should grant to labor its
Just share of the advancement implied
by the use IF the discoveries and i'm
provements of the age. The laborer
should receive fair wage for labor per-
formed, and by gradual reduction of
hours the days labor should be brought
to a proper minimum -
''How many hours q day should a
man work?''
"a day OF eight or nine hours is
am quito willing that the most vigor-
Gus should work beyond that time. -
Mr.. Jeffrey shows the greatest pos
sible interest in the welfare Of his en-
ployees. Paying good wages, no demands
strict discipline and the best Of service.
His word is sacred with his men, Per
haps these are the reasons why during
the intensity Of the late strike the Den
yer and Rio Grande did not once call
for deputies.
Mr.. Jefery was the most active per-
son in settling the Cripple Creek strike.
Between the deputy sheriffs, who were
eager to fire on the frenzied miners, and
the faltering and changeable policy Of
Governor Waite a crisis was imminent
Mr.. Jeffery's activity was relaxed nei-
Their by night or day He finally got