The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
FOR INDUSTRIAL PEACE.

labor and capital during the past summer and
fall there has movement designed to
prevent the recurrence of such disastrous antagon
lsrns in the future. The committee appointed at the
recent conference in New York gives promise that
the hope of those who desire peace will be fulfilled
1t is composed of men who are in the fullest sense
representative of labor of capital and of the conser
vative spirit of the nation at large That it will have
potent moral influence at all times when it chooses
to exert itself to prevent strikes or lockout beyond
question and that in itself will go far toward achev
ing the desired end.
1t is not the intention of the committee to consider
or discuss any of the relations of capital and labor as
abstract propositions. 1t will deal only with specific
appeals which may be made from time time and
will act upon those practical issues and not with
any intention of formulating theoretical principles.
1t will be- in fact of practical organized to
deal with industrial disputes between employers and
employees, and will do its work in business way,
having other object than that of clearing UP such
misunderstanding may exist between the contend
ing parties.
That the work of such a committee will prove bene-
fetal appears almost inevitable In his address to the
conference John Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers, said 81 have never seen strike that
could not have been avered if the two interests had
met fairly in advance" The statement is the more
impressive because it comes from man who has
probably strikes than any other of his
age in the country. 1t reveals clearly how large
field there is for the work of committee which will
have sufficient moral force back of it to well nigh
compel both sides to confer fairly before either
tures upon lockout or a strike
On the day after its appointment the committee or
ganized The Industrial Department of the Ma
tonal Civic Federation" 1t defined its purpose by
declaring: THE scope and province of this depart
ment shall be to do whatever may seem best to pro-
mote industrial peace, to be helpful in establishing
rlghtful relations between employers and workers,
by its good Offices endeavor to obviate and prevent
strikes and lockouts, to aid in renewing industrial
lations where rupture has occurred
For the purpose Of carrying out the work pro-
posed the committee, either as whole or through
subcommittee, will "act forum to adjust and de-
eide upon questions at issue between workers and
their employers, provided in its opinion the subject
is of sufficient importance" 1t is to be specially
noted that the committee declares t will not consider
abstract industrial problems, and assumes no pow
ers OF arbitration unless such powers be conferred by
both parties to the dispute"
Here then, We have committee of national i'm
portance undertaking the task of making sure that
there shall be great strike until after fair con-
terence between the contending parties has been
had 1t e2erts power other than that which er1an
ates from moral influence, but it is well known that
IN this country that power is great 1t is fairly GER
tain public opinion will not sustain any party to an
industrial controversy which would refuse to heed
call of the Industrial Department of the National
Civic Federation summoning it to conference
We need not indulge all the sangune hopes ex-
pressed by of the members of the conference to
recognize that great force making for the general
good has been established. 1t will not be able to
prevent strikes and lockouts altogether, but it will
help materially to that end The work is in the hands
of strong and resolute men, and in every we'll de-
vised action they take they will have the support of
vast majority of the people