The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-19
SHARP EXCHANGES
ON LABOR ISSUES.
MEssRs. LUSH AND GOMPERs IN A
LIVELY CONTROVERSY.
After Giving the New Zealander
n Partinw Shot-Text of the Reso-

CHICAGO. Dec. 1s-The conference on
arbitration and conciliation was enlivened
during the day by a debate between
Samuel Gompers, president of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. and Hugh II.
Lusk, ex-member of parliament of New
Zealand. The venerable New Zeaander,
during the forenoon, turned aside from
his prepared address TO express displeas-
ure at a declaration made by Mr. Com
pers in his address last night. The labor
leader on the occasion mentioned assert
ed that he wanted to see labor organiza-
tions retain the privilege of striking
when they pleased, or merely because
they pleased.
That is not liberty" cried Mr. Lusk;
'ft is license"
AT this moment Mr.. Gompers entered
The speaker continued:
Mr.. Gompers wants concliation, and
he says you can never have any concilia-
tion unless you are ready to cut one an
Others throats. Well, If that is the un-
fortunate condition of the people of
America. l am sorry for them. We are
not so anxious to cut one anothers $
throats where | came from | wish Mr.
Gompers had taken the trouble 20 find
out what our compulsory arbitration law
Is before he told you about it, But as he
has not. | am Obliged TO do Il for him"
During the afternoon MIR. Gompers re-
fNifNtNN bio ASSci ttouS VI ltlt allSUt DfGNl-
GUS
We do not he declared, ''clutch each
others throats unnecessarily, but I
would rather have the right TO clutch
at a mans threat than TO have my arms
amputated. The compulsory labor law is
equivalent to the amputation referred to.
/ want labor 10 have the strength OF
giant, but TO use that strength gently"
Following this. two speeches were
sandwiehed in and then MIR Lusk again
secured the floor. He explained at icngth
the workings OF the compulsory arbitra-
tion law Of New Zealand, generally look
ing at the labor president.
You would cut my arms of In your
country. said Mr.. Gompers. speaking
from bis seat.
III YOU were good We would not ampu-
tate your arms, replied the New Zealand
er, but We might enlarge your head
lively exchange of questions and an
swcrs which bewildered The audience fol-
lowed
"id rather be at swords points in
America and independent than 10 surreud-
er my right 70 strike for one minute. Y
shouted Mr, Gompers, and with that he
left the hall
AT the evening session the committee
on resolutions submitted It's report.
The resolutions recognize the fact
that compulsory arhitrstion-aside from
All eAAtt 1oJeRltoUs against Ills not at
this time a question ~ practical indus
trial reform. and that such systems as
ara now in vogue do nog seem 10 fully
meet the requirements Of the different
interests"
The resolutions further recommend that
the presiding officer Of the conference
appoint a committee to serve for one
year, 10 De composed of six representa-
lives OF the employer class ana six cf the
employe class. for the purpose ~ formu-
latng some plan Of action looking TO the
establishment of a general system Of con-
eiliation that will promote Industrial
peace
We believe SAYS the report. that
this conference viii have IN part az least
falled IN fits mission unless &c streuuously
insists that the proper time to arbitrate
s. not after a strike or lockout has been
inaugurafed, but before it has been be-
gun.
We fully realize that all plans OF arbl-
tration viii be unavailiug unless We are
all animated by 8 spirit Of fairness and
justice and are willing to open our eyes
TO such rights as belong 10 every cili-
zen"
The report was adopted without debate.
and Chairman MacNeaEh appointed as
members of the COMMITTEES for one year
the same gentlemen who constituted the
I. resolution committee.