The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-18
ANSWERS mR. KENNA.
Samuel GOmpers Defends Strik-
ing TeIegraphers.

Chicago. Dec. 1S-AIen who in the past
have bitterly opposed each other in in
dustrial contests filed Steinway hall at
last nights session of the conference
on arbitration which began here yester-
day. Both the day and night sessions
were taken up with papers read by rep
resentatives of capital and labor look
ing to the same end-a cure for strikes.
From the tone Of the addresses it seemed
plainly evident that both sides were Wig
Orously opposed to compulsory arbitra-
ton, and if a recommendation on the
subject Of 4. national board results from
the present gathering the recommended
ton will In all probability specify that
all the boards work shall be along the
line of voluntary arbitration The night
session was called to order at 8 o'clock
After few introductory remarks by
Franklin MacVeagh. the presiding Off
Ger. Henry w FIoyt, president of the
National Founders association, was in
troduced. Mr.. H0yt said in part:
As long as the wage Garner believes
or is taught to assume that society is in
league to rob him as an individual of
some of the purchasing power of his
services, 50 long must society reckon
with him in his collective capacity. The
employer who elects to ignore this fact
is often as much of a menace to the in
dustrial peace as is that agitatOr who
plays upon the prejudices and in1ames
the passions of the men he falsely
serves There is only one certain rule
golden rule"
The next speaker was Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fedora
ton of Labor. Mr.. Gompers received a
At the outset Mr.. Gompers stated that
ne desired to take positive exception to
statements that had been made before
the conference during the afternoon. He
had already, he said. advised the gen
tleman whose remarks he intended to
critcise of his intention Mr.. Gompers
added:
''One of the things to which I took
exception was that, as an officer of the
Atehison, Topeka & Santa Fe railway.
he should undertake in this conference
to present his side, the side of the rail-
road, in a strike which is still in prog
ress, without a representative of the
strikers being here to present their side
Of the controversy tApplause.) 1t
seemed to me that If the opportunity
Of this conference is to be taken advan-
tage of for the presentation of the rail-
roads side of this controversy due no.
tice might have been given to the repre- |
sentative of the Order Of Railway Te- !
legraphers. in order that he might be |
here to listen to what was said and re-
flute it if necessary. (Appiause)
Il am not prepared to say that what |
the gentleman said was untrue, but one |
story is very good until the other side |
IS told
Continuing. Mr.. Gompers said that |
from the statement of the Santa Fe Of !
fetal it would appear that all the over |
lures toward Cancellation or arbitration |
in such disputes as that between the /
Santa Fe and its telegrapheTs came |
from the former Mr.. Gompers asserted !
that. on the contrary. where there have /
been one offer from the side of assOci- /
ated capital there have been hundreds |
on the side of organized labor. The en- /
Dloyed, he said had become accustomed /
TO hear their proffers of Cancellation met /
with the answer that there is nothing /
TO arbitrate." He added, however, that /
he was not unmindful of the fact that /
there was a growing disposition on the |
part Of employers toward a more con-
cinatory policy. This condition, Mr.. /
S5ompers believed. was due to the grow
ing strength of organized labor.
Cancellation between two parties hav-
ing diverse interests he said is only
pursued when they have either equal
power or nearly equal power.
Though admitting that strikes ought
TO be avoided IN the interests of both
company and labor. Mr.. Gompers de-
clared that there were some evils more
dreadful than strikes. He added.
I'VE strike. People in China do not |
strike wonder whether those who !
would try TO prevent the strikers from |
striking or those who would punish the !
workers for striking would like TO /
change the condition from that which |
obtains in our country to that which
obtains in China If the absence Of
strikes was the measure of civfliza ton /
then China ought to stand at the head
of the world" daughter and applause.
In conclusion he said:
I'VE still insist upon the right to Quit /
work whenever the work becomes frk-
some, and we shall always insist on our
right to strike for any reason or for no
reason at alL'