The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-18
ALL FAVOR ARBITRATION
BUT FEW DELEGATES THINK 1T
SHOULD BE COMPULSORY.
Features Of the Addresses at the
Chicago COnference-GOmpers
Takes Issue with kenna.

CHICAGO, Dec. IA conference on Gin
dustrial Cancellation and arbitration" under
the auspices of the National Civic Fedora
ton, began here at 1890 o'clock to-day.
Steinway Hall was half filled when the
conference opened. but Secretary Ralph
NJ. Easily, of the Civic Federation, declared
that the numerous labor captains present
from the various parts of the country
formed a good return from the invitations
sent out. The conference has as it's object
the stirring up of public sentiment, by
means of intelligent discussion between
representatives of labor and the employer.
rather than taking definite action, although
it is not unlikely that some resolution, CIV
ing the sentiment of the conference on the
best methods of dealing with industrial dis
putes will come up before the close of the
meeting Tuesday night.
The conference was called to order by
Franklin Mcveagh, chairman of the COM
mittee on arrangements, who made a brief
address.
Carol d. Wright, commissioner of labor,
followed. He said: ANY board that will aid
in bringing about conciliatory efforts, and,
failing in them, rational and discreet arbi-
~tration, has appealed to me as a method to
be desired, not as a solution of the great
labor struggle. but as a help of vast i'm
portance, and / still feel that the existence
of a board of Cancellation and arbitration,
established by States, to which resort can
be had voluntarily, has a balancing effect
morally in the community. Nevertheless, 1
90 not hesitate TO declare that the real re-
suits to be reached by arbitration and con-
~ciliation can be secured far more effective
ly and in a far more acceptable manner
through the trade board as it exists to-day
in nearly all the industries of England,
than by any other means"
Herman JUST, commissioner of the ILL.,
nois Co-operators' Association, outlined a
plan of Cancellation and arbitration, and
urged that the capitalists must organize to
deal with the labor problem as a prerequi-
site of the success of any plan of concilia-
ton or arbitration.
John Mitchell. president of the United
Mine Workers., was the next speaker. He
was received with vigorous applause. He
said hat his organization has favored, for
over ten years, an adjudication of differ
ences by Cancellation and arbitration, and
that there has not been a great strike in
which the miners had engaged that they
had not first tried to apply the principle of
Cancellation and arbitration before engag-
ing in the contest. In the recent strike in
the coal fields of Pennsylvania the mine
workers organization exhausted every hon
orable and every possible means before
striking. the operators being sincere i'm
their belief that the men would not strike
and feeling that their employees had no
grievance and refusing to treat with the
miners organization and to meet them i'm
joint conference.
r. Dana Durand, secretary of the United
States Industrial Commission. spoke next.
L. ID. Kenna, first vice president and gem
eral manager OF the Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe system. said, In part: when the
employer OF great numbers engaged in n
business affecting the public ran f1 tho
places made vacant by strikers the employ
er will win the contest, and where he can
not do so, the employees will win. The de-
cision of the contest, therefore. will always
resolve itself into two questions; how
necessary is il that the employer shall con-
tinue in business, and how necessary is It
that he shall employ the strikers No
amount of intimidation or persuasion will
change the result. though it may postpone
1t, for the ineXorabie laws OF supply and
demand will control the decision. AND If he
will afford the employer every protection
in his efforts TO obtain others TO take the
places made vacant by strikers, and afford
to such others that protection guaranteed
them by the Constitution, but now too
frequently denied them, the contest will
soon be ended. and the party prevailing.
whichever IL may be. will have secured the
victory at the least cost to the public"
John b. Tobin. of Boston. general presi-
Union, following hr. Kenna. spoke on the
method under which the boot and shoe
workers and their employers have got
along together with the minimum OF
trouble. After giving the lengthy agree
ment. Mr.. Tobin summed the system up by
saying: ".ANe have been able TO settle all
OF our difficulties by simply setting down
together and talking over the question"
The last speakers OF the Afternoon were
+. II. jeffrey, of Columbus. o., and NJ.
w. Connolly. of the Memphis Commercially
Appeal
Th night session was called TO order at
5 o'clock. After a few Introductory re-