Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-19
LABOR CONFERENCES.
LEADERS CONTINUE THE DISCUS
SION OF ARBITRATION.

LEADERS CONTINUE THE DISCUS
SION OF ARBITRATION.
G3y Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot.)
Chicago, Dec. 1S.-The conference on
arbitration and Cancellation. which
passed into industrial history with it's
adjournment tonight. was enlivened
during the day by a debate between
American Federation of Labor. and
Hugh H. Lusk, eX-member of Parlia
ment. of New Zealand. The venerable
New Zealander took exception to MIR.
Gomper's declaration last night that
lie wanted to see labor organizers re-
tam the privilege of striking when
they pleased, why they pleased, or
merely because they pleased.
That is not liberty" cried Mr.
Lusk. 1T is license. Mr.. Gompers
wants Cancellation and he says you can
never have any Cancellation unless you
are ready to cut one another's throats.
Well If that is the unfortunate con-
dition of the people of America. 1 am
sorry for Them
GOMPER'S REPLY.
During the afternoon Mr.. Gompers
secured the stage and reiterated his as
sertions.
each others throats unnecessarily, but
/ would rather have the right to
clutch at Il mans throat than TO have
my arms amputated. The compulsory
law is equivalent TO the amputation
referred to. l want labor to have the
strength of a giant. but to use that
strength gently"
TIT FOR TAT.
Later Mr.. Lusk again secured the
floor. Tie explained at length the work
ings Of the Arbitration Court of New
Zealand. generally talking straight at
The labor presdcnt.
You'd cut my arms off in your coun-
try?' queried Mr. Gompers.
IF YOU were good we would not am
putate your arms replied the New
Iealander but we might enlarge your
head"
y lively exchange of questions and
answers. Which bewildcred the audi
cnce followed. Mr.. Lusk explained
that during the hearing of a dispute
between employer and his unionzed
employees neither side could. under
penalty, change the condition which
caused the appeal TO the Arbitration
Court. The hearing, during which
neither side had the right to indcpen-
dent action, generally lasted about a
month.
I'D rather be Mt swords points in
America, and independent, than to SUR
render my right to strike for one min
ute" shouted Mr.. Gompcrs.
There We're numerous speeches, all
faVoring voluntary arbitration.
Mr.. Lusk'S speech. which was the
first of the conference to unequivocally
favor compulsory arbitration, pictured
the success of the system in New Zea-
land and created deep interest.
VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION.
c. Watson French. vice president Of
the Republic Iron and Steel Company.
favored voluntary arbitration. Once
voluntary arbitration is proved pracii-
cable" he said, 1--WE may trust the open
mind. the humanity and the horse
sense Of the American people to do the
rest"
At the afternoon session addresses
We're made by Edgar a. Agard, mem
Der OF legislative board of the Glass
Bottle Blowers Association; Frederick
II. Baglcy. of the Marble Manufacture
ers Association, and Franck Buchan-
nan. president of the Bridge and Struc-
tural Iron Workers.
benjamin I. Wheeler, president of the
University of California, declared that
which labor difficulties should come for
calm. scientific discussion.
NIGHT SESSION.
Tonight the resolution committee
submitted its report. 1t recognizes that !
it is not Eat this time question of
practical industrial reform" and that
such systems now existing fail to meet
the requirements of the different inter- |
csts. 1t recommended the appointment |
of n committee to serve for one year
six Representatives of the !
class and the same of en-
ployee class, TO formulate plan of ac- |
ton looking to establishing 4 general !
system of Cancellation that will promote !
Industrial peace and empowered to APP |
point necessary auxiliary committees |
from the industries, trades ana profess
sions. Accordingly Chairman Mac |
Ncach appointed as this committee the
members of the resolutions committee, |
who were announced last night. !
The report. which was adopted with |
out debate. also insists that the proper
time to arbitratc Is before a strike be- |
gins, not afterward. Tonights speak |
ers We're j. w. Vancleavc. ST. Louis |
who suggested that Il |
of such men as Senator
Daniel (Virginia), General John Il. |
Gordon (Gcorgia). Wade Hampton
(South Carolina). or .eX- President IIar- |
rison draft a national compulsory arbi-