The age-herald., 1901-05-08
Men of National Fame Tak- ing Part in Meeting BOTH SIDES DESIRE PEACE John Mitchell Says the Public
 Should be Consulted MEETING IS HELD IN NEW YORK Speakers From Different Walks of Life Showed That Capital and
 Labor Could Not Afford To
 Be Antaeonistie.
MEETING IS HELD IN NEW YORK

New York, May Decentralization as a means of maintaining industrial peace be- tween labor and capital was discussed by leaders of unionism and finance at the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. The meeting was arranged by the indus trial department of the National Civic Federation. The speakers were Samuel Gompers. President of the American Federation of Labor. Bishop Potter. John Mitchell. President of the United Mine Workers of America; Charles R. Flint. President of the American Rubber Com pany; Daniel J. Keefe of the Illinois Board of Arbitration; William H. Say ward of the National Association of Builders; James O'Connell, President of the International Association of Machin- ists and Herman Justi, Commissioner of the Illinois Coal Operators Association
 Samuel Gompers presided and in open ing the meeting expressed the hope that a new epoch had come In the relations of labor and capital. We want industrial peace, but not at the sacrifice of any of the elements of manhood" he said. '"The laboring people insist that they be re4 | garded something more than wage
 
 | Bishop Potter expressed his gratifica- tion at the growth of the spirit of con | ciliation. He praised the humanity of American diplomacy in China and said that 1t offered splendid exaydple N emulating.
 If you rise to ms opportunity he 1 said, you will set the world another ex- ample that it will be your privilege to remember with pride all of your lives.'' MifcbaII Te F1r n..--
 John Mitchell said he was for peace be- cause he had known the bruises of war. 'The relations of labor and capital" he said, "are purely business proposition. There Is no sentiment in it. Peace is bet ter for both, and I am for peace if we can have an honorable peace. I believe there never would be strikes if the em- ployers and employees could meet in fair conference. If we could have gotten a hearing last year the great coal strike would have been averted."
 He said the public was party to every strike and should be consulted.
 Charles R. Flint. the capitalist, was humorously introduced as the walking delegate of the American Rubber Com pany who worked fourteen hours a day. He expressed his confidence in the good that would come of closer relationship between labor and capital He exhaust lively reviewed the export trade of the country and the accomplishments of the skilled laborer, and said in this greatest industrial evolution the world had ever known there was room for strikes be- tween American labor and American cap- ital.
 Wm. IT. Harvard said the laborer did not want sympathy but good square treatment and when he got it he gener- ally returned good square treatment.
 Hermann Justi said in commencing: Under the old dispensation employer and toiler sought for differences; under the new dispensation they seek points of agreement" He related the experience in Illinois with a policy of conciliation and said that it had worked excellently. T hope this Is the beginning of a great movement. Our national prosperity de- pends upon the steady employment of every wage earner at a decent wage and believe every employer in the country with heart in his breast or brain in his head knows 1t"
 Samuel Gompers. in closing. said that the thorough organization of labor pre- saged complete protection for the honora- ble employer against his dishonest com petitor ''who nibbled" at prices.