The age-herald., 1901-05-09
Nearly All Strikes Are Re ult
 of No Conference
MR. GoMPERs WAS INTERRUPTED
One Man From the Crowd Yelled ''What We Want Is Force"-So- eialist Element Was Finally
 Brought to orden

New York May e.--A mass meeting under the auspices of the committee on conciliation of the National Civic Fed eration was held tonight at Cooper Unio to further the movement inaugurated at the conference on Tuesday to form na- tional board of arbitration. John Mitch ell. the first speaker, greeted with applause and cheers. He said:
 "The impression may have gone forth that stand for turmoil and war rather than peace, but knowing the sufferings and horrors of turmoil and war, I stand for peace. honorable peace do not pre- sume that this conference has solved the labor problem but believe that the plan agreed upon today will do much to pre- vent strikes and lockouts.
 Nearly all the strikes which have oc- cured could have been avoided If the employers and the representatives of la bor organizations had conferred. We have learned in the bituminous coal re- gions to get together in annual conven- tion and talk out our differences instead of fighting them out Twelve men on each side met last year and in eleven days fixed the wages of 100000 men and
  the wages of the miners to the extent of s2Ooo,ooo
 ''I know there are those who believe there can be nothing in common between capital and labor. To those I say the work of this consolidating committee will show that there is much in common be- tween them for the good of both"
 Samuel Gon1pers.
 Samuel Gompers, president of the Amer ican Federation of Labor, prefaced his remarks by stating that those who are braggarts, continually declaring war, are usually towards in the actual struggle.
 ''The strong manufacturer" said he. does not boast of his powers, because he knows that with power comes responsib- ity. There was a time when organization of labor was tabooed and the doors were shut in the faces of the men who held a card in a union That day is past If we entertain a hope for ourselves. our children or our country we must organ ize. At one time the idea was held that all the world must be extinguished. There is no accounting for taste Some have 70 far bidden goodbye to their reason as to applaud the idea that wealth should be extinguished. we want justice and nothing else Elm ployers have found trades unions and ele- ments so costly that they want peace as well as we."
 We want force," yelled a man who had furnished previous Interruptions. and many in the audience cneered.
 Charles Sprague Smith came forward, and raising his hand called sharply for order When he could make himself heard he said.
 'srhe Socialists have had their turn and we will let them have it again, but now l ask for order. I ask this little group of Socialists to hold themselves in.''
 MT. Gompers struggled through num- Der of further interruptions and finally got hearing of his views as to arbitra- tion.
 Tt will be a choice" said he, between voluntary arbitration and compulsory ar bitration, where the Jail will await those who will not work under a settlement ordered by the courts. Our experience with courts has not been such as to war rant us in placing our industrial interests in the hands of the gentlemen who pre- side on the bench"
 William H. Hayward.
 William H Hayward, secretary of the National Association of Builders. spoke of the obstacles encountered in the ef- forts in which he had been concerned to bring the employers and working men to. gether on amicable terms. He said that he at last saw light and felt confident that the plans devised by the committee of conciliation of the national civic fed eration would bear fruit in the dra wing 0f Ia tto prevention of strikes.
 Herman Jusu. commissioner of the H. linois Coal Operators Association. spoke of the practical results achieved by a policy of conciliation in the bituminous coal fields, and of the peace and happi- ness that prevailed in a region formerly devastated by bitter labor struggles
 At the meeting tonight the national committee on conciliation and arbitration gave out its report The report says that the purpose of the organization is to en- ter Into active service in the cause of peace and harmony in the industrial world for the purpose of preventing strikes and lockouts- The report advo- cates fuiI and frank conferences between employers and worlSnen with the avowed purpose of reaching ap agreement as to the terms of employment It further says the aim Is to establish and maintain a hoard or commission composed of the most competent persons available select ed from employers and employees Of judgment. experience and reliability which shall be charged with carrying out the objects aimed at and Shall also be expected to make known to workmen and employers that their counsel and gid will be available if desired, in se- curing that cooperation, mutual under standing and agreement already indicated dc the general purpose of the national committee.
 The committee shall select from its members an executive committee of 1f- teen to direct the work of organization.