The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-17
Archbishop Ireland, Bishop Potter,
Oscar Straus and Leaders of
Labor Organizations.
INTERVIEW WITH MR.. HANNA
WHO WOULD RATHER SEE en-
PLOYE AND EMPLOYER AT PEACE,
He Says, Than De President of the
posed to Labor TRUSTS"

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 industrial dis
putes. Aiding them with counsel were sew
eral prominent students of economics and
leading figures I'm the religious world, and
the opening session was notable for a num-
Der of striking expressions and comments
on the problem faced by the cOnferees.
The storm I'm eastern Pennsylvania pre-
vented Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell,
Theodore Shaffer and other leading men,
bers of the American Federation of Labor
from reaching New York in time for the
meeting to-day. but they will participate
in the session tomorrow.
Oscar Strauss. former minister to Turkey
who acted as chairman, announced that ii
was planned TO form a general executive
committee with representatives divided
among labor. capital and the great pub
lie. and that it was hoped that 1t would
become tribunal of peace where the con-
hicting interests might meet on even foot
ing, and settle their differences in a spirit
OF Cancellation and mutual liberation.
Senator NJ. 4. Hanna. Mr.. Charles
NJ Schwab president OF the United States
Steel Corporation. Archbishop Ireland.
Bishop Potter. S. II. Galloway, President Of
the American locomotive works. Z. d.
Durand. secretary Of the Industrial Com
mission. Theodore Marburg OF Philadel-
phia. w H. Phaler OF Philadelphia r. A
s'arens of St. Louis r. NJ. Easley of the
National Civic Federation, John Phillips of
the National Hatters Union, James Ryan
of the International Typographical Union,
and Marcus Marks, president or the Ma
tiOnal Clothing Makers Association, were
among the men who attended the open
Charles NJ schwab declared that he was
opposed TO labor unions as they were now
constituted, and said they must fail the
trusts had failed, for seeking TO limit the
output and control prices. Il am here"
he said. with mind open TO conviction.
anxious TO see the other side of the shield.
as Bishop Potter has said, and ready TO
do that which is fair Ii may be that
this Is q selfish motive, but 1 realize that
upon the peaceful adjustment of the diff
culties that exist between capital and labor
depends the future prosperity of the United
States. The decadence Of trade in other
countries is due TO the hostility of labor
unions deny that capital has been ar
btraFy and unfair. L am not opposed to
labor unions per Sc, but | am against them
as they are now constituted. Labor unions
will not succeed. the trusts have not
succeeded. the principle of limiting pro-
duCtiOn. Consolidation for ecOnOmy's sake,
fair wages purchasing I'm the cheapest
market and selling in the best. are the
trade principles that will stand. The labor
unions have become trusts After all the
fortunes and the prosperity of the en-
plOyer are linked together. They are the
same, and the two interests should stand
together. / am willing TO come here and
give you any practical ideas that l can.
and l hope that this conference will come
To some good.
Senator Hanna expressed strong approval
OF the principle or organized labor, and his
speech drew apologies from John Phillips
and j. j. Donnely, two OF the labor dele
gates present, who confessed that they had
trrT1 nd I'm fTe vie IN
the attitude OF the senator toward
ganiZed labor. Senator Hanna related an
experience he had with coal miners many
years ago, and sad the experience had
made him an advocate of unionism. Il
saw then. he said. and believe now,
that labor and capital could be brought
together. 1 believe the day is at hand for
their peace, and l am willing 10 give the
best that Is in me while life lasts To bring
labor and capital together settlement
OF the question will do more for good
government, good morals good social rela-
tiOns than anything else that could ac-
COmplish. To the end OF all this i will free
" give whatever service can render TO
this association
Bishop Potter asserted that the restOra-
tion OF human interest To the relation of
labor and capital. the establishment of con-
tact between the two, bringing them so
close that they might see each others po-
sition, woula go far toward setting the
differences between them. He said that
ideas and practical work were needed TO
bring the result which both desired.
Archbishop Ireland said all Europe looked
TO the United States 10 heal the breach
beween the two great interests. As min
lister OF religion, "A member OF church
whose Pontid had declared that the most
important duty OF the church was 10 MAIN
tain peace between labor and capital. he
was present To do his duty In move Ineut
that made peace and harmony and broth
erhOOd among men. He believed. he said
that realization Of what Americans owed
10 one another men and children OF
God was needed 20 bring those opposed to-
gether lie approved the idea OF creating
some channel for an exchange OF ideas,
AMI the mutual flow or the feeling Of
brotherhood
John Phillips and John J. Donnelly. the
latter OF the New York Brick Layers
Union recorded their approval OF the prin-
Ciplp OF arbitration and Cancellation and
asserted that for years the hatters and
bricklaycrs in New York had maintained
satisfactory relations with the men who
employed.
William Pfahler. Marcus Marks and
James RYAN also addressed the meeting.
MIR HANNA'S PURPOSE.