The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-17
INDUSTRIAL AND RELIGIOUS LEAD
ERs CONFER TO A MOST
LAUDABLE END
UNION OF LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Charles Nj. schwab Does Not Like
Labor Unions as at Present Con.
stituted, but Senator Hanna
Indorses Them.
IRELAND AND POTTER HEARD

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Brought to-
gether through the good offices of the
National Civic federation, leading. repre-
today to discuss plans to minimize wage
and industrial disputes. Aiding them
with counsel were several prominent stu
dents of economics and leading figures
in the religious world. The opening ses-
sion was notable for a number of strik-
ing expressions and comments on the
problem faced by the conferees
The storm in Eastern Pennsylvania
prevented Samuel Gompers John Mitch
ell, Theodore Shaffer and other leading
members of the American Fedora ton of
Labor from reaching New York in time
for the meeting today, but they will par
ticipate in the session tomorrow.
Oscar Strauss. former minister to Tur-
key, who acted as chairman, announced
that it was planned to 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 differ
ences in a spirit of conciliation and mu
tual toleration.
Senator M. A. Hanna Charles M
Sehwab, president of the United States
Steel corporation; Archbishop Ireland,
Bishop Potter, S. r. Galloway, president
of the American Locomotive works; E.
p. Durand, secretary of the Industrial
commission; Theodore Marburg of BaltI-
more; W. H. Pfahler of Philadelphia; r.
c. Kerens, of st. Louis; R. M. Easlev,
of the National Civic federation; John
Philips, of the National Hatters' union;
James Ryan, of the international Typo
graphical union, and Marcus Marks,
president of the National Clothing Ma
kers' association, were among the men
who attended the opening meeting.
Schwab Open to Conviction.
Charles NJ Schwab declared tina. he
was opposed to labor unions as they Were
now constituted, and said they must
fail, as the trusts had failed, for seek
ing to limit the output ani control
prices 'I am here" he said with a
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 1t may be this is a selfish
motive but realize that upon the peace
full adjustment of the difficulties that cx-
ist between capital and labor depends
the future prosperity of the Omitted
States
THE decadence of trade in other coua-
tries is due to the hostility of laoor
unions. do not deny that capital has
been arbitrary and unfair. 1 am not op-
posed to labor unions per Sc; but 7 az
against them as they are now constl-
tuted Labor unions will not succeed, as
the trusts have not succeeded, on the
principle of limiting production. Consol-
idation for economy's sake, fair wages,
purchasing in the cheapest markSs and
selling in the best are the trade princt-
pies that will stand. The labor unions
have become trusts. After all, the for.
tunes anu the prosperity of the employer
and employed are linked together. Tney
are the same, and the two interests
should stand together I am willing 20
come here and give you any practica,
ideas that 1 can and 1 hope that this
conference will do some good
Hanna FayOrs Unions.
Senator Hanna expressed strong ap-
proval of the principle of organized labor,
and his speech drew apologies from John
Philips and John Donnelly, two Of the
labor delegates present, who confessed
that 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. Il
saw them he said, "and I believe now
that labor and capital could be brought
together. I believe that the day is at