The Washington times., 1901-12-29
BIG PROBLEMS
OF LABOR.
Topics Discussed Before
Economic Association.
WORK OF TIE NEGRO IN MISSISSIPPI
Alfred Holt Stone Tells How the
Black Man Is Progressing Set
tlement of Labor Conflicts by
Friendly Conference Between
Employers and Employed.

After their joint meeting on Friday. the
American Historical Association and the
American Economic Association separated
yesterday. and while each of them held
its sessions in the Columbian University
Building last night, they we're conducted
in entirely separate apartments.
The American Economic Association
met in the Law School and discussed
labor problems.
The session was presided over by Rich
ard T. Ely, LII. y. the president of the
association. who. after few introduo-
tory remarks presented Alfred Holt
Stone, of Greenville, Miss, The first
speaker OF the evening.
s.Ihc Negro I'm the naxoo.''
In highly interesting paper on The
Negro in the Yazoo- Mississippi Delta. ."
Mr.. Stone portrayed the condition OF
negro labor in the western part OF Iis-
sissippi. where the blacks represent some
81 per cent Of the population. He said:
'.The negro is not an extensive land
owner, but cultiyates upon one farm or
another on the share system. For the
thrifty negro this plan osers support; for
the improvident IL cannot be deemed un
just
The speaker related some OF HIS person
al experiences as a plantation manager
with a system of operation which was de-
signed to overcome some of the weak
points in customary contracts and insure
a greater measure OF independence 11r the
laborers.
l. G. Powers. Chief Statistlcian Of Agri-
culture OF the United States Census,
read paper discussing numerous points
in MIR. Stones address.
Cancellation and Arbitration.
Herman Justi. Commissioner Of the IL
llnois Coal Operators Association dis
cussed Cancellation and Arbitration
Among Miners"
Mr. Justi's paper treated first of the
origin Of the movement whereby the
system OF annual contracts or trade
agreements between the mine owners and
the miners was first inaugurated. Con
tinuing. he said:
with scarcely an exception, every strike
that has occurred in our time, even where
there has been bloodshed and destruction
of property, has finally been settled In
friendly council. Our plan is 10 prevent
these senseless and costly strikes and the
many differences arising between master
anc men hy having the hostile parties
meet in friendly council and arbitrate The
matter out OF which the dispute has
arisen.
Spirited discussions followed. after which
the meeting adjourned TO reassemble al
z:20 p. m. toiloTrow.
To visit the Census Office.
The Director of the Census has invited
the members of the association to visit the
Census Office tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock and examine its operations. Pro-
vision will be made for an explanation OF
the work of the Census, and an oppor.uni-
ty afforded to inspect the interesting proc
esses OF the census tabulation.
The Librarian of Congress has invited
the association TO visit the Library st noon
tomorrow brief account of the re
sources Of the Library for economic re-
search will be given and opportunity al
forded to inspect the internal arrange
ments and workings.
Historical Papers Read.
Al last nights session of the American
Historical Association the features were
addresses relating TO American history
by Prof Herbert L. csgood, of Columbia
University. and Gailiard Hunt. Of the
State Department. Judge Baldwin pre-
sided.
Prof. osgOod's paper was entitled "The
Relations Between Great Britain and the
AmericanColonies During the Seventeenth
Century"
He said in part:
THE chief characteristics Of the British
colonial system in the chartered colonies
were constantly being changed, owing 10
existidg conditions and partly by the
home Government.
Prof. osgood dealt principally with the
latter consideration. the changes made
by the home Government, and cited the
efforts Of the British sovereign TO repeal
the charter of Massachusetts.
Madison and Religious Liberty.
Gaillard Hunt, Of the Department of
State. and editor Of Writings of James
Madison" read paper on James Madi-
son and Religious Liberty" in which he
discussed his subject in a Thoroughly tech
nical manner.
Madison. he said, was the father Of re-
iiglous liberty in Virginia, owing TO his
vigorous struggles in behalf of unrestrict-
ed worship from his entry into public
life. in sketching briefly Madison's life
and work he stated that he was an ear
nest ana sincede Christian, and had in his
early manhood contemplated entering the
ministry.
Al the close of Mr.. Hunts remarks the
session adjourned until 1890 o'clock TO-
morrow morning
Ex-senator and Mrs. John Il. Hender-
ron viii tender reception TO the men,
bers OF the association az their residence,
1fssfd
morrow evening. from 4 20 O'Clock
FOREIGN TRADE POLICY.