The San Francisco call., 1901-12-17
LABOR CONFERS
WITH CAPITAL
Conferees Discuss Plans
to Bring About In
dustrial Peace.
General Exchange Of Views
on How Best to Avoid
Disputes.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Brought together
through the good offices of the National
Civic Federation, leading representatives
of labor and capital met here to-day to
discuss plans to minimize wage and IN
dustrial disputes. Attending them with
counsel were several prominent students
of economies and leading figures in the
religious world, and the opening session
was notable for number of striking ex-
pressions and comments upon the prooieI
faced by the COnferees. The storm IN
Eastern Pennsylvania prevented Sanuel
Gompers John Mitchell, Theodore Sha1er
and other leading members of the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor from reacning
New York in time for the meeLlng to-day,
but they will participate IN the session To-
morrow. Oscar Strauss, former Minister
to Turkey, VINO acted as chairman, an
nounced that it as planned 20 form 4
sentation divided between labor capltai
and the general pubic, and II was hoped
it would become a tribunal or peace,
where the conflicting interests might meet
on equal footing ana settle their differ
ences in a spirit OF conciliation and mu-
tuaI liberation.
Senator nj. A. Hanna. Charles NJ.
Schwab president of the United states
Steel Corporations; Archbishop Ireland,
Bishop Potter, s. R. Galloway, presiGent
of the American Locomotive w Works; T..
d. Durrant, secretary of the Industrial
Commission; Theodore MaSburg of BalIi-
more, w. f. Pfahler of Philadelphia, r. I.
II.
National Civic Federation, John Phillips
of the National HaJters' Union, James
Ryan of the International Typographical
Union and Marcus Marks president Of
the National Clothing Association, were
among the men who attended the opening
meeting. Charles M. Schwab declared
that he was opposed to labor unions as
they were now constituted, and said that
they must fail, as the trusts had failed in
seeking to limit the output and control
the prices. Schwab said in part:
Schwab Declares Against Unions.
am here with a mind open to conviction.
Bishop Potter has said, and ready to do that
which is fair. 1t may be that this is selfish
motive, but / realize that upon the peaceful
adjustment of the difficulties that exist be-
tween ea3tsl & and labor depends the the future
| ence in trade in other countries is due to the
/ labor has been arbitrary and unfair. am not
opposed to labor unions per Sc, but l am
against them as they are now constitutea e.
ing 2roduction' Consolidation for economy's
| sake fair wages, purchasing in the cheapest
| market and selling in the best, the trade
principles that will stand. The labor
the fortunes and the prosperity Of the
employer and the employed are linked M TO-
/ ests should stand together. 1 am willing to
come here and give you any practical ideas
| that 1 can and l hope this conference VIII
come te some good.
| Senator Hanna expressed strong ap-
| provaI of the principles of organized Ia
] Dor, and his speech drew apologies from
| John Phillips and John j. Donnely, two
! of the labor delegates, who confessed thai
/ they had held erroneous and unjust views
as to the attitude of the Senator toward
organized labor. Senator Hanna related
| an experience he had with coal miners In
Ohio many years ago, and said that the
experience had made him an advocate Of
unionism. He said:
I saw then and 1 believe now that labor and
| capital could be brought together 1 believe
| that the day is at hand for their peace, and
| am willing to give the best there is in me
| while life lasts to bring labor and capital to-
| gether A settlement of the question will do
| more for good government, good morals, good
| social relations than anything else that we
| could accomplish. To the end of all this
freely give whatever service 1 can render to
the association
Archbishop Ireland Gives His Views.
| Bishop Potter asserted that the restora
ton of human interest to the relation of
] labor and capital the establishment of