New-York tribune., 1899-07-31
BISHOP POTTER'S REPORTED PLAN
SAID TO Re PREPARING TO ORGANIZE A
PERMANENT COUNCIL OF MEDIATION
AND CANCELLATION.


Bishop Potter has advised the leading members
OF the Social Reform Club that he is now prepared
TO take up the work Of organizing a permanent
council Of mediation and cOnciliation with the
purpose of preventing strikes by the surface rail-
way employees in New-York. Edward King. of
the Social Reform Club. In speaking Of the matter
last evening. said
1T is quite true that Bishop Potter meditates or
ganizing such a board; ne has. in fact. had 1t in
mind for some time He had intended sending a
communlca ton to the papers on the subject Of
cancellation just about the time 1t was reported
that he was to arbitrate the differences be-
tween the surface railway companies and their
employees His position then that II was al
most hopeless TO expect arbitration, and, besides
that, ne himself had been requested by labor
man through a newspaper friendly TO the strikers
10 become an arbitrator This he felt would be
almost sure TO secure his rejection by the cap
italists. He thought, however that by writing 10
one or two newspapers which have the confidence
o. capital he might thereby secure some perma-
nent mode Of arbitration. and II 10 this end
he intended communicating with the press. Seth
Low Felix Adler and Bishop Potter the three
men who have been selected by contendng parties
heretofore as arbitrators. and they all promi-
nent on the present Board OF Mediation and Con-
caton, which originally organized by the
labor people in connection with the Church Asso-
cation for Advancing the Interests of Labor.
These men, and the majority Of the Board well,
object TO offering their services in strikes which
have taken place except at the request OF both the
parties concerned as they feel that otherwise they
would be deemed not only offcious. but also to be
seeking publicity: ,
10 consist of representatives OF the different sur
face railway employees unions. together with the
presidents Of all the railway companies His pur-
pose is on the hand. TO prevent the incon-
venience TO the public which Is always attendant
upon a strike and equally on the other the suffer
ings of the strikers and their families. He also
thinks that in many instances the employees have
not been treated with exact fairness. and that If
the employers could be convinced OF the justice OF
some Of the grievances IL would result in their
saving great expense. If they would treat with
their employees directly and fairly. Bishop Potter
has been led TO this view by the success that has
attended certain industries which have avoided
strikes for a long time by the use Of permanent
boards OF arbitration and conciliation.
Bishop Potter is AT present the president 0, The
New-York Council Of Mediation and Cancellation
which consists Of twentv-six leading employers.
professional men and representatives OF trades
unions This council was organized with view
10 avoiding strikes in industries whore the en-
ployer and the employed showed a disposition 10
submit their differences 10 disintercsted arbltra-
tors whose sole purpose would be 10 bring about
a better feeling between labor and capital"