New-York tribune., 1901-06-03
VIEWS OF Az AUTHORITY.
ADVICE FROM a MAN WHO HAS BEEN CON
CERNED IN THE SETTLEMENT OF
OVER TWO THOUSAND DISPUTES.
- rEIEGnArH 20 LIE rRIRrNE. l

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington, June 2.-The following state
ment was made for The Tribune by a govern
ment official who is an undoubted authority on
labor questions:
Strikes and differences of opinion between
employer and employe can best be settled by
mutual agreement. Every should be ap-
preached with a thorough knowledge of the
facts incident thereto The employe should un-
derstand the position and condition Of the en-
plcyer The employer. On the other hand.
should thoroughly understand the wants and
conditions Of his workmen. Then they should
meet and discuss the matter at issue. each side
assuring the other that advantage is to be
taken. that no technieaHties viii be sought or
made use Of, and that true forhearance shall
guide the discussions. Then let both sides
tacitly. if you please. agree TO give and take.
in other words to compromise rather than fight
PROGRESS BY COMPROMISE.
"If you trace the great events OF history. and
place your index finger upon the page where re-
forms were recorded that were Of benefit to the
human race. you viii note that nearly all of
them grew cut Of compromises II IS when both
sides are determined not to Weld not TO
derstand the other that stubborn conflicts en-
sue and that is why ] say all questions affect
ing wages, hours Of labor or the interests Of
employer or employe should be approached in a
calm. conservative spirit. The employer should
have sympathy with his workmen, and he should
take interest in their welfare. The workman
should have a sympathy with his employer. re-
aiizing that the more prosperous the employer
IS the better il viii be for the workman and the
community in which they both live.
There is another side to the problem. The
great public standing away from the work
men and the employer has apparently moth
iiig to do with the settlement Of labor disputes.
Bu; in reality il is vitaIly concerned. and both
the workman ami employer should consider
not alone their own interests. but those of their
reighbors and the general public likely be
affected by strikes. lockcuts and boycotts.
This is a business world and it is essen
italy a business age. Sentiment plays an in
significant part in the work of the day one
dollar lost to-day through id!eness never
be regained 1t is much better that men should
settle thsir affairs by conciliaton and the rules
Of common sense than that they should initiate
the lower animals and take one another by the
throat. l have been concerned in the settle
ment of over two Thousand disputes and know
that the suggestions ] now make were fruitful
OF the best results in DAYS gone hy.
LABOR NEEDS ABLE LEADERS
The head Of a labor organization should be
possessed Of the same qualities the head OF
a corporation or a combination Of corporations.
~@po+ u eiiuleu - ue rest Inc market can
afford in the way Of ability and brains II
should be willing 10 pay for II. and cannot hope
10 cope with an opposing force unless IL is rep
resented by men Of ability and character hav-
ing thorough knowledge OF existing condi-
uons. Labor under Robesplerre would he an
erchy; under the control Of a NaDolao, il
would be exploited FOR selfish ends and
under the direction Of Ignorance IL would AL
ways fail Therefore the man 10 whom, or
ganized labor trusts the management OF its
affairs should be a thinker, and while he sboul5
always be a talker, he should know when not
TO talk. He should be aggressive and vigil, -,
in looking after the interests Of those he ra,,-s
sents, but conservative in promoting those in