The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-19
1T IS LICENSE" He SAYS
Better That Than Compulsory Ar,
bitration," Says Gompers.
YOU'D CUT MY ARMS N NEW zEALAND?
mot Il You Were Good, But We Might En-
large Your Head" Says Lusk. Numbers
Of Speeches Favoring voun-
tary Arbitration.
lBy the Associated Press


Chicago, Dec. 1s.-The conference
on arbitration and Cancellation, which
passed into industrial history with its
adjournment tonight, was enlivened
during the day by debate between
Samuel Gompers, President of the
American Federation of Labor, and
Hugh l.. Lrsk, ex-member of Parla-
ment, of New Zealand. The venerable
New Zealander took exceptions to Mr..
Gompers' declaration last night that
he wanted to see labor organizations
retain the privilege of striking when
they pleased, why they pleased, or
merely because they pleased.
THAT is not liberty" cried Mr.
Lusk. ut is license. Mr.. Gompers
wants Cancellation and he says you can
never have any Cancellation unless
YOU are ready to cut one another's
threats. Well, if that be the unfor-
tunate condition of the people of
America. | am sorry for them"
During the afternoon Mr.. Gompers
secured the stage and reiterated his
assertions.
I'VE do not" he declared. ''clutch
each others throats unnecessarily, but
WOuIu HAVE Tic IIgIlu 10
clutch at mans throat than to have
my arms amputated. The compulsory
law is equivalent to the amputation
referred to. / want labor to have the
strength of a giant. but to use that
strength gently"
Later Mr.. Lusk again secured the
floor. He explained at length the
workings of the arbitration court of
New Zealand, generally talking
straight at the labor president.
You'd cut my arms off in your
country. queried Mr.. Gompers.
IF you were good we wouldn't am
putate your arms" replied the New
Zealander, but we might enlarge
your head"
A lively exchange of qustions and
answers which bewildered the au-
audience followed. Mr.. Lusk explain
ed that during the hearing of dis
pute between employer and his UNI
ionized employees, neither side could
under penalty change the conditions.
The hearing during which neither
side had the right to independent ac-
ton generally lasted about month.
I'D rather be at swords points in
America, an independent, than to sur
render my right to strike for one
minute shouted Mr.. Gompers.
There We're numbers of speeches, all
fayoring voluntary arbitration. Even
Mr.. Lusk declared that America was
not ready for compulsory arbitration.
Mr.. Lusk's speech. which was the
first to favor unequivocally compul-
sorry arbitration, pictured the success
of the system in New Zealand and
created deep interest.
Warren A. Read, Chairman of the
Massachusetts State Board of Arbitra-
ton, and Cancellation, followed Mr.
Lusk in an interesting address.
&. Watson French, Vice President
OF the Republic Iron and Steel Com
pany, favored voluntary arbitration.
"Once voluntary arbitration is
proved practicable ne said, 1--WE may
trust the open mind, the humanity and
1.-The horse sense of the American peo-
pie to do the rest"
ID. Douglas Wilson. President of the
International Association of Machin-
lists, and John M. Stahl. Secretary of
the Farmers National Congress, fol-
lowed with speeches.
At the afternoon session. r.. S. Tay-
Tor, was the first speaker, and was fol-
lowed by Chauncey Ii. Castle.
Other addresses were made by Ed
gar A. Agard, member of the EXecu-
tive Board of the Glass Bottle Blowers
Association; Frederick Fl. Bagley, of
the Marble Manufacturers Associa-
ton. and H. Buchanan, President of
the Bridge and Structural Iron Work
erS.
Benjamin l. Wheeler, President of
the University of California, declared
that the University was the tribunal
to which labor difficulties should
frN,.f I'm scientific rISancS
Tonight the Resolutions Committee sub
United its report. 1t recognizes that it is
not "at this time question of practical
industrial REFORM and that such sys
TENS now existing fail to meet the re-
quirements of the different interests. 1t
recommended appointment of commit
tee to serve for one year, comprising six
representatives of the employer class and
the same of employee class. to formulate
plan of action looking to establishing
a general system of Cancellation that will
promote industrial policies, and empow-
cred to appoint necessary auxiliary CON-
mittees from the industrial trades and
professions. Accordingly Chairman Mac
Veagh appointed as this committee the
members of the Resolutions Committee,
who were announced last night. The re-
! port which was adopted without debate,
also insists that the proper time 10 ar
bitrate is before strike begins, not af-
q terward
Tonight's speakers were j. ".
Vancleaye st. Louis manufacturer, who
suggested that committee of such men
AS Senator Daniel, Va.); General John b.
\Gordon, (Ga.) Wade Hampton, Is. c.. or
ex-President Harrison draft compul-
sorry arbitration law; Martin Fox Presi-
dent of the Iron Moulders' Union of North
America, and Frank p. Sargent, Grand
Master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemcn
The conference then adjourned sine die.
aabablrn YOU never saw ghosts walk,