The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-17
Labor Leaders Apologize to Senator
Hanna.
CONFESSED TO UNJUST VIEWS
schwab, the Great Iron Manager, Declared
He Was Opposed to Labor Unions as
They We're Now Organized, and
Upon the Peaceful! Issue De-
pends the Prosperity OF the
United States.
fBy Associated PressA

NEW YORK. Dec. 16.-Brought to-
National Civic Federation. leading repre-
sentatives of labor and capital met hero
to-day to discuss plans to minimize waga
and industrial disputes. Aiding theTu
with counsel were several prominent
students of economies and leading figures
in the religious world and the opening
session was notable for a number OF
striking expressions and comments upon
the problem faced by the conferees.
Oscar Strauss, former minister to Tur-
key, who acted as chairman. announced
that it was planned 10 form a general
executive committee with representation
divided among labor. capital and the
great public, and that it was hoped that
it would become a tribunal of peace
where the conflicting interests might
meet on even footing and settle their
differences in 4 spirit Of conciliation anu
mutual liberation.
THE GREAT LEADERS.
Senator NJ. a. Hanna, Charles NJ.
Schwab. president of the United States
Steel Corporations; Archbishop Ireland,
Bishop Potter, S. r. Galloway, presi-
dent of the American Locomotive Works:
e. D. Durand, secretary of the Industrial
Commission; Theodore Martburg, of Bal
tinore; W. II. Ffahier, OF Philadelphia:
r. c. kerens, of st. Louis; -, Easley,
Of the National Civic Federation, John
Phillips. of the National Hatters' Union:
James Ryan. of the International Typo
III icoi T-r-fSp Ir1rc aytyc
president of the National Clothing Max
e,'s' Association, were among the men
who attended the opening meeting.
CHARLES NJ. SCETWAB.
Charles II. Schwab declared that he
was opposed to labor unions as they wero
now constituted. and SAID that they must
fail as the trusts had failed. for seeking
to limit the output and control prices.
''I am here" he said, with a mind
open to conviction, anxious to see tho
other side of tie shield as Bishop Pot
ter has said, and ready to do that which
is fair. 1t may be that this IS a selfish
motive. but I realize that upon tho
peaceful adjustment OF the difficulties
that exist between capital and Iapor de-
pends the future prosperity of the United
States. The decadence of trade in other
countries 5 due to the hostility of tho
labor unions.
CAPITALS FAULT.
'.I do not deny that capital has been
arbitrary and unfair. l am not opposed
to labor unions per Sc, but I am against
them as they are now constituted. La
Dor unions will not succeed, as the trusts
have not succeeded, on the pricipie of
limiting production.
Consolidation for econonys sake. fair
wages, purchasing in the cheapest mar
ket and selling in the best are the trade
h1r will Sta nd 10 Ia
unions have become trusts After al.
the fortunes and the prosperity of tho
| employer and employed are linked tu-
gether; they are the same. and the tWp ,
interests should stand together. 1 am
willing to come here and give you any
practical IDEAS that I can, and | nJps
that this conference Will come TO soma
good
APOLOGIZE TO HANNA.
Senator Hanna expressed strong appeo.
val of the principle of organized LABOR,
and his speech drew apologies from Jonn
Phillips and John j. Donnelly.
two of the labor delegates pre-
sent, who confessed that they had
held erroneous and unjust views. rs IL
the attitude of the Senator towa-i cr-
| Sanized labor.
Senator Hanna related m experience
| he had with coal miners in Ohio many
| years ago and said that the experience
| had made him an advocate of unionlsm.
Il saw then he said, "and believe nov.
| that labor and capital could DC brought
! together I believe that the day ls sc
| hand for their peace, and am willing
| to give the best that is III me while ms'
| life lasts to bring labor ard capital TO-
| sether 4 settlement Of the question Will
| do more for good government, good NOR
| ais. good social relations than anything
| else that we could accomplish To tho
J end of all this freely give whatever SER
I vice can render to this association
ARCHBISHOP IRELAND.
Archbishop Ireland said that all Eurora
looked to the United States to heal tho
/ breach between the two great interests.
AS a minister OF religion; as a member
of a church whose pontifs had declared
| that the most important duty oE the
| church WIS to maintain peace between
| labor and capital. he was present TO do
| dis duty in a movement that made fos
peace and harmony He believed. he said.
| that the realization cf what Americans
| owed to one another as men and caildreE,
/ OF God was needed TO bring those OPP
| posed together. He approved the idea or
| creating some channel for an exchange os
! ideas and the mutual flow of the feeiinss
| of brotherhood.
| John Phillips and John J. Donnelly. the
| latter of the New York Erickiayers Jn-
! ion. recorded thei- approval OF the prin.
| c,ple OF arbitration and coneiltation, and
| asserted that for years the hatters and
| br;ckIayers in New iock had matGteinet1
/ satisfactory relations with the men who
employed them
N misa.ion conflrmsd.
l.