Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-12-21
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Conference at Chicago Discusses
Methods of settling Disputes
between Them.

full thinkers in the field of political
science and economics from all parts
of the country assembled in Steinway
hall Monday at the opening of the con-
ference for the discussion of concilia-
tion and arbitration in the settlement
of disputes between labor and capital.
Having been called by the National
Civic federation, and its plans having
been evolved by that organization, the
distinction was early drawn that the
meeting is not a convention of dele
gates. but a conference of represent
ative men who have come to Chicago
by special invitation to participate il
deliberations the results of which are
expected to be far-reaching. Strikes,
lockouts and boycotts will be consid-
cred from every viewpoint before the
conference adjourns this even
ing. 1t is expected the discussions
will result in the appointment by the
federal government of board of con-
ciliation and arbitration whose work
shall be the peaceable adjustment of
all industrial differences.
Opinions expressed by those in at
tendance at the conference showed
that both capital and labor are op-
posed to compulsory arbitration, but
voluntary arbitration is believed to of
fer a solution of the great problem con-
fronting labor and capital. Franklin
MacVeagh. chairman of the commit
tee on arrangements. called the con-
ference to order, and upon the plat
form were the speakers of the morning
Carroll ID. Wright. United States
commissioner of labor; Herman Justi,
commissioner of the Illinois Coal OPP
orators association. and John Mitchell,
president of the United Mine Workers
of America. With them was Franklin
II. Head, of Chicago. Extracts from
the principal addresses of the day
follow:
Carroll d. Wright, United States COM
missioner of labor. spoke about "Trade
Boards of Cancellation and Arbitration
Abroad
"The moral principle lying back of the
establishment of such boards" he said, "!s
one which should be recognized at the out
set. II is not new, nor does IL contain any
revolutionary elements. The system OF vol
untary conciliation and arbitration, as car
ried on by private agreement, is elastic and
applicable to all conditions. 1t can be used
under the most elaborate or under the sim
pest rules. IL can be proceeded with either
with or without an umpire or referee and
proves satisfactory when the only pro-
vision is that the two sides shall mees and
attempt to settle the difficulty before an
appeal to harsher methods. 1t can succeed
whether the questions to be decided are
difficult and intricate or plain and simple.
open discussion about a common table
has shown points of view either on one side
before Thought
opposition. and very naturally a far better
understanding on the whole exists to-day
than ever before between employers and
employed wherever the voluntary boards
are at work, which mus make for peace and
happiness and be the basis for all negotia-
tions between capital and labor.
such condition cannot be secured by
government boards, where parties arc
brought before 1t in way TO leave an i'm
preston that they are litigants, the result
often being to feed anew the fires which
grow from the temper that originated the
dispute. The private boards serve to allay
all such feeling and to bring about neigh
borly and harmonious condition. To create
and continue this good feeling care must
be taken by the associations to elect as their
representatives not radicals, but men of
strong common sense and honesty of pur-
pose, employers fair enough to see the jus
tice In the case presented by the men, anJ
representatives of the men who have cour-
age enough to accept decrease when the
situation demands II.
''In a word, extremists must be excluded
and those alone chosen who seek the truth.
and once finding IL are willing to stand fast
to the agreement and urge adoption by
their association"
Herman Justi, commissioner of the ILL
nois Coal Operators association, not only
outlined plan of conciliation and arbi-
| tration, but urged that the capitalists must
organize to deal with the labor problem as
1 a prerequisite of the success of any plan OF
| conciliation or arbitration.
Mr.. Just Insisted that until the en-
ployer class organizes and establishes col
| lectively department of labor, just as
| individually or in corporate capacity en-
| ployers provide for their executive and
construction departments, their financial
4 and their sales departments, strikes will
/ continue, and that II strikes, therefore. are
| to become obsolete in America every de-
partment of industry must be thus organ
| lied.
Mr. Justi commended the plan of the ILL
nois coal miners. and said if generally
| adopted and great central body was es-
| tablished there would be:
An American federation of industry re-
| sembling in experience, influence and pow.
er the American Federation of Labor.
A national board of arbitration composed
| of men specially and directly chosen by all
| the interests involved because of theii
| training, education, occupation and tastes
and indebted for their appointment to no Of
| fice-holder nor to any political party.
| Among others who spoke during the day
We're: d. Douglas Wilson. vice president
of the International Association of Ma
chinists; Hugh II. Lush, eX-member OF
| the New Zealand parliament; f. p. Sar-
| gent, grand master of the Brotherhood o.
| Locomotive Firemen; John NJ. Stahl, sec
| retary of the Farmers National congress
| e. ID. Kenna, general manager of tn,
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe system
Judge Warren A Reed, chairman of tn,
Massachusetts state board of arbitration
| and Samuel Gompers.
Mr.. Gompers devoted himself to an extend
ed discussion of the relative rights of labor
and capital. He contended that where on'
employer had offered to arbltrate a dis
pute 100 labor organizations had made the
offer. 81 admit that employers are ex
hibiting a more conciliatory feeling to
| wards employees" he said, but II is du,
alone to the efforts of organized labor
Strikes are costly to employe and employer
alike but they only take place in civilized
countries. Strikes do not occur in China