Milford chronicle., 1901-05-10
TO ABOLISH STRIKING.
Representatives Of Capital and
Labor For Industrial Peace.
NECESSITY FOR COOPERATION.


No Room For Strife Between the
Producing Classes, and GOmpers
Would Protect Honest Employers.
New York, May 8.-Conciliation as
a means of maintaining industrial
peace between labor and capital was
discussed by leaders Of pionisn
finance at the Chamber Of Commerce
yesterday afternoon. The meeting was
arranged by the Industrial department
OF the National Civic Federation and
all Of the contributors to the svm-
postum were leaders in their several
fields of activity. They met upon COM
mon ground and were a unit in the
hope that strife would be eliminated
from the relations of employer and
toiler and a perpetual truce declared.
The speakers were Samuel Gompers
president of the American Federation
of Labor; Bishop Potter, John Mitchell
president of the United Mine Workers
OF America; Charles R. Flint, presi-
dent of the American Rubber COMPANY.
Daniel J. Keene, of the Illinois board
OF arbitration; William H. Sayward of
the National Association of Builders:
James O'Connell, president of the In
ternational Association of Machinists
and Herman Justi commissioner of the
Illinois Coal Operators association.
Samuel Gompers presided, and in
opening the meeting expressed the hope
that a new epoch had come in the re-
lations of labor and capital. I'VE want
industrial peace, but not at the sacrifice
OF any OF the elements of manhood"
ne said. The increased growth in the
organization of labor has brought
greater responsibility. The work is
going ahead actively, however, and we
are meeting our problems in a practi-
cal way. We are dealing with living
men and living women and living chill
dren in the hope of better things for
ALL The laboring people insist that
they be regarded as something more
than wage earners. They are men
with rights, and hopes, and aspirations.
and love-" He expressed the belief that
the plan of Cancellation should be aided
by every man who was against strife
and for peace. He said that the unions
sought to do injustice to no man, but
were formed to conserve the rights of
those who formed them.
Bishop Potter expressed his gratifica-
ton at the growth of the spirit Of con-
ciliation. He noted a growth of in
telligence and open mindedness among
workmen, and said that upon it could
be built the highest hope for the future.
He added that at the same time there
was a greater interest manifested on
the part Of employers in the lives and
conditions of their men.
John Mitchell said that he was for
peace because he had known the
bruises of war. THE relations of labor
and capital" he said, ARE purely a
business proposition. There is no SEN
timent in it. Peace is better for both,
and l am for peace if we can have an
honorable CAGE. believe there never
would be striR~- if the employers and
employees could NEE, in fair conference.
If we could have got hearing last
year the great coal striKe> would have
been averted." He said theNNnblic was
a party to every strike, and ~ Id be
consulted. He hoped that the cram
Der of Commerce of New York would
lend its mighty aid to the Cancellation
plan.
Charles r. Flint, the capitalist, was
.humOrously introduced as the walking
delegate of the American Rubber com
pany, who worked IA hours a day. He
! expressed his confidence in the good
that would come of closer relationship
between capital and labor, and said
that in this, the greatest industrial
evolution the world had ever known.
there was no room for strife between
American labor and American capital.
Daniel J. Keefe said that Cancellation
was more acceptable than arbitration,
for in the latter system there had to
be decision defeating one side or the
other.
William H. Sayward supported Mr..
Mitchell's contention that the relation
of the two great industrial forces was
purely of a business nature. He said
the laborer did not want sympathy,
but good, square treatment, and when
he got it he generally returned good,
square treatment. He believed that
employers should meet their men in a
greater spirit of frankness.
James O'COnnell said that in the
metal trades employers and toilers had
learned the benefits of organization
and mutual concessions. He was sure
the Cancellation movement would do
great good.
Herman Justi said: Under the old
dispensation employer and oiler sought
for differences; under the new dispen-
sation they seek points of agreement.
Our national prosperity depends upon
the steady employment of every wage
Garner at decent wage, and 1 believe
every employer in the country with a
Aeart in his breast or a brain in his
head knows it,"
Samuel GOmpers, in closing, said
that the thorough organization of labor
presaged complete protection for the
honest employer against his dishonest
competitor who "nibbled" at prices.