The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-09
Will Do All Possible to Secure Coop
GRAFTON and Agreement Between
Capital and Labor.
MEETING AT COOPER UNION
ADDRESSES BY JOHN MITCHELL AND
SAMUEL GOMPERS.
Former Says He Stands for Peace
Not Turmoil and War-Latter
interrupted by Socialists.

NEW YORK. May s.-A mass meeting.
under the auspices of the committee Of
conciliation of the National Civic Fedora
ton. was held tonight at Cooper Union
to further the movement inaugurated at
the conference on Tuesday to form a ma
tional board of arbitra alton. AT the meet
ing tonight the national committee on con-
ciliation and arbitration gave out its re-
port. The report says that the purpose of
the organization is to enter into active
service in the cause Of peace and harmony
in the industrial world for the purpose
of preventing strikes and lockouts The
report advocates full and frank confer
ences between employers and workmen
with the avowed purpose of reaching
agreement to the terms of employment.
1t further says the aim is to establish and
n aintain a board commission, composed
OF the most competent persons, available
selected from employers and employees of
judgment. experience and reliability, which
shall be charged with carrying out the
objects aimed at, and shall also be ex-
rected to make known to workmen and
their employers that their counsel and aid
will be available, if desired, in securing
that cooperation, mutual understanding
and agreement already indicated as the
general purpose of the national committee.
The committee will select from its men,
hers an executive committee of fifteen
to direct the work of the organization.
John Mitchell, the first speaker at the
mass meeting, was greeted with applause
and cheers. He said: 1.-The impression
may have gone forth that stand for tur-
moil and war rather than peace but know
ing the sufferings and horrors Of turmoil
and war, L stand for peace If it can be
an honorable peace. i do not presume that
this conference has solved the labor prob
lem, but / believe that the plan agreed up
on to-day will do much to prevent strikes
and lockouts. Nearly all of the strikes
which have occurred could have been
avoided if the employers and the repre-
sentatives of labor organization had con-
ferred. We have learned in the bitumn-
coal regions TO get together in annual
convention and talk out differences
instead of fighting them out. Twelve men
on each side met last year, and in eleven
Gays fixed the wages of 100000 men, and
the year before the same number raised
the wages of the miners to the extent of
20,000,00O. L know there those who
believe there can be nothing in common
between capital and labor. To those
say that the work of this conciliation COM
mittee will show that there is much in
common between them for the good of
BOTH
USUALLY COWARDS
Samuel Gompers, president of the Fedora
ton of Labor, prefaced his remarks by
stating that those who are braggarts, con-
tInually declaring war, are usually towards
in the actual struggle. 1.-The strong man."
said he, docs not boast of his power
because he knows that with power comes
responsibility. There was a time when
organization OF labor was tabooed and
doors were shut in the face of the man
who held a card in the union. That day
is past. If we entertain a hope for our
selves, our children or our country we mus.
organize At one time the idea was held
that all wealth must be extnguished.
There is no accounting for taste. Some
have so far hidden goodbye to their reason
to applaud the idea that wealth should
be extnguished. We want justice and moth
ing else. Employers have found trades
Unions an element so costly that they want
peace as we'll as We"
1--WE want force" yelled a man who had
in the audience cheered.
Charles Sprague Smith came forward and
raising his hand, called sharply for order
When he could make himself heard he said.
1.-The Socialists have had their turn, and
we will let them have it again. but now L
ask for order. l ask this little group of
Socialists to hold themselves in."
Mr.. Gompers struggled through a number
of further interruptions. and finally got
hearing for his views TO arbitration. "It
Will be choice" said he between volun-
tary arbitration and compulsory arbtra-
tion, where Jail will await those who will
rot work under a settlement ordered by
the courts. Our experience of courts has
not been such as 10 warrant us in placing
our industrial interests in the hands of the
gentlemen who preside on the bench"
Herman Justi, commissioner OF the Ili-
nois Coal Operators Association. spoke OF
the practical results achieved by a policy
OF Cancellation In the bituminous coal fields
and of the peace and happiness that pre-
vailed in a region formerly devastated by
bitter labor struggles.
GRANTED BY OVERSEERS.