The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-14
Mr.. RIPLEY'S VIEWS.
Tells Arbitration Committee
What He Thinks of Strikes.

Chicago, Jan. 1.-THE first formal
meeting of the Cancellation and arbitra-
ton committee which was appointed by
the National Civil Federation Deem
Der IS, 1900, at a meeting held in Chi
cago for that purpose was held here
Saturday. The meeting Of the commit
tee was for the purpose of discussing
plans for the selection of a national ar
bitration and conciliatory board, which
is to act, if so desired. by the employer
and employee. in all matters Of dispute
affecting both parties interested. The
ultimate plan of the federation and
those interested in the movement is to
do away with strikes and labor difficult
ties affecting all mercantile and bust
ness interests and all branches OF LABOR,
organized and unorganized.
Discussion was also had on the organ
izatiOn of the committee One of the
important employing classes interested
in the movement is the railway corpora
tons. Members of the committee ap-
pointed last December are evenly d.
vided between the employing and en-
ploye classes
The following letter was received from
Mr. Edward p Ripley, president Of the
Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe railroad:
THE questions open so vide and so deep
a subject that one may be pardoned 1or
der aimlessly about in consideration OF de-
tails and find himself unable to attain any
SQI0Cl6nI
removed from self-interest and preluaice,
to enable him to make his view sufhclent-
judicial one. The subject opens up ques-
lions of political economy, sociology, and
of practical science. that may Wen appaI
one without special training and varied
and comprehensive learning know that
an essay on the rights Of man, or the re-
Iation Of labor to capital, IS not expected
of me- and yet I feel that these questions
lie at the root of the practical questions
you desire me to answer, ana II seems I'M
possible to avoid taking them into con-
sideration.
organization Of labor-that is, the com
binatiOn of large masses OF WorkerS-for
protection and advancement has made
enormous strides in the last twenty years,
spite Of opposition, and often defeat, it
has been successful in lettering the con-
ditIOnS of the Workingman-nne Gaming the
man who works with his hands, In spite
Of Unsuccessful strikes (and most strikes
have been of this class: in spite of rash,
and sometimes of corrupt leaders; in spite
of some 1awlessness, and in spite of some
most unreasonable demands, it can by
no means be claimed that these organ
izatfOns have not been of benefit to the
Workingmen as a whole, though it may
truthfully be said that their tendency has
been to put all their members upon the
same level and to deny superiority or adj
vantage to the most worthy or most in
1--WE may safely assume. then, that or
ganizatiOn among the Workngmen VIII
proceed, and that it viii grow stronger
rather than weaker
s.Capital however, has not been organ
lied 10 any extent, ana nearly all InOQeTn
legislation has been in the line of pre-
venting 1t from organizations and the
very states that have been foremost in
trying to suppress any and every com
bnation of capital, regardless of whether
its object be good or bad, have looked
with indulgence upon organizations OF
labor and have in many cases carefully
refrained from interfering even when
these organizations became open encour-
ayers Of lawlessness and violence. think
No one in this day questions, the right Of
labor to organize Tor lawful DEFENSE or
even lawful aggression, nor can any one
who does not deny this consistently OPP
pose the organization Of capital Tor the
same purpose Given, then, an organiza-
ton Of capital on the one hand and of
what plan shall the two meet, and how
shall the profits from their joint efforts
been the final arbiter Of national and per
sOna1 grievances and disputes, except so
pIace-and even law. while placing re-
straint upon the individuals for the com
mon good, has very often been set aside
In favor of war when il undertook to deal
with great numbers of men united to at
common grievance The strike is war,
and I do not believe this century at least
I viii witness the passage of the strike in
all strikes; and. while neither nations nor
labor organizations are likely voluntarily
| to abandon force as the last resort. yet
/ 1t IS not too much to hope that means
may be found to avert its use in many
ton of such means understand your
committee TO be addressing itself There
is no more Important work now in prog
ress in the world Coming now to your
questions, which I quote In full.
Il Do you favor the organization OF
the railroad companies of the United
States. for the purpose Of dealing with
organized labor7
Il favor the most complete organization
possible among the railroads for protec.
4 ton of all sorts, including relations to or
ganized labor.
- Would you favor compulsory arbi-
tration of all controversies between rail
| road companies and their employees. pro
/ compel both parties to abide the award
No I would rather close up the roat
than try to operate it with men that were
4 being compelled to remain at work
..2 Do Won favor the rnIIlrf 2 ~ rI,f