Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-09
TOPREVENT STRIKES
A Meeting In Favor Of Cancellation
In Industrial Disputes.
VIEWS OF The DIFFERENT SPEAKERS


New York, May s.-Conciliation as
means Of maintaining industrial
peace between labor and capital was
discussed by leaders Of unionism and
finance at the chamber Of commerce
yesterday afternoon. The meeting
was arranged by the industrial de-
partment of the National Civic fedora
ton and all Of the contributors to
the symposium were leaders in their
several fields Of activity. They met
upon common ground and were a
unit in the hope that strife would be
eliminated from the relations Of en-
ployer and toiler and perpetual
truce declared. The speakers were
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor;
Bishop Potter; John Mitchell, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers Of
America; Charles r. Flint, president
of the American Rubber company;
Daniel j. Keefe, of the Illinois board
of arbitration; William H. Sayward,
of the National Association Of Build
ers; James O'Connell, president Of
the International Association of Ma
chinists, and Herman Justi, commits
sioner of the Illinois Coal Operators
association.
Samuel Gompers presided and In
opening the meeting expressed the
hope that new epoch had come in
the relations Of labor and capital.
"We want industrial peace, but not
at the sacrifice Of any Of the elements
of manhood" he said. 1.-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 practical way. We are
dealing with living men and living
women and living children in the
hope of better things for all. The la
boring people insist that they be re-
garded as something more than wage
earners. They are men with rights
and hopes and aspirations and love-"
Bishop Potter expressed his graft.
fication at the growth of the spirit
of Cancellation. He noted growth
of intelligence and open-mindedness
among workmen and said that upon
it could be built the highest hope
for the future. He added that at tho
same time there was greater inter.
est manifested on the part of the EN-.
ployers in the lives and conditions Of
their men.
John Mitchell said that he was for
peace, because he had known tho
bruises of war. "The relations of la.
Dor and capital" he said, "are purely
a business proposition. There is no
sentiment in it. Peace is better for
both, and l am for peace if we can
have an honorable peace. I believe
there never would be strikes if the
employers and employees could meet
in fair conference. II we could have
got hearing last year the great coal
strike would have been avoided"
Charles r. Flint, the capitalist, waa
humorously introduced as the walk.
ing delegate of the American Rubbe,
company, who worked IA hours
day. He expressed his confidence IT,
the good that would come of closer
relationship between labor and CAPT
tai. He exhaustively reviewed the ex
port trade of the country and the ac
complishments of the skilled Ameri
can laborer and said that in this, tho
greatest industrial evolution thu
world had ever known, there was nj
room for strife between American
labor and American capital.
Daniel j. Keefe said that concilia
ton was more acceptable than arbi
tration. for in the latter system there
had to be decision defeating one
Il Il