Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-05-10
INDUSTRIAL PEACE.
It Is the Earnest Desire Of Eminent
Leaders.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE is HELD.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE is HELD.
Speakers Express the Hope That Flu.
ture Relations Between Labor
and Capital May Be
Free from Strife.
New York, May generalization as
a means of maintaining industrial
peace between labor and capital was
discussed by leaders of unionism and
finance at the chamber of commerce
Tuesday afternoon. The meeting
was arranged by the Industrial de-
partment of the National Civic Fed
Grafton, and all the contributors to
the symposium were leaders in their
several fields of activity. They met
upon common ground, and were
unit in the hope that strife would be
eliminated from the relations Of en-
ployer and toiler and a perpetual
truce declared. The speakers were
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor;
Bishop Potter, John Mitchell, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers OF
America; Charles r. Flint, president
of the American Rubber company;
Daniel j. Keefe, of the Illinois board
of arbitration; William H. Sayward,
OF the National Association of Build
ers; James O'Connell, president of
the International Association of Ma
chinists, and Herman Justi, commits
sioner of the Illinois Coal Operators
association.
Gompers Presides.
Samuel Gompers presided, and in
opening the meeting expressed the
hope that a new epoch had come in
the relations of labor and capital.
1--WE want industrial peace, but not at
the sacrifice of any Of the elements
OF manhood" he said. 1.-The increased
growth in the organization of labor
has brought greater responsibility.
The work is going ahead actively, how
ever, and we are meeting our problems
in practical way. We are dealing
with living men, and living women, and
living children. in the hope of better
things for all. The laboring people
insist that they be regarded as some
thing more than wage earners. They
are men with rights, and hopes and
aspirations and love-" He expressed
the belief that the plan of Cancellation
should be aided by every man who was
against strife and for peace. He said
that the unions sought to do injustice
TO no man, but were formed to con-
serve the rights of those who formed
them.
Bishop Potter Talks.
Bishop Potter expressed his gratiA-
cation at the growth of the spirit of
Cancellation. He noted growth of in
felligence and open-mindedness
among workmen, and said that upon it
could be built the highest hope for the
future. He added that at the same
time there was greater interest man
ifested on the part of employers in the
praised the. humanity of American d.
plomacy in China, and said that it Of
fered splendid example for emula-
ton. IF you rise to this opportunity"
he said, you will set the world anoth-
er example that it will be your priv
ilege to remember with pride all Of
your lives"
Mitchell for Honorable Peace.
John Mitchell said that he was for
peace, because he had known the
bruises of war. 1.-THE relations of la
bor and capital" he said, "are purely
business proposition. There is no SEN
timent in it. Peace is better for both;
and I am for peace if we can have an
honorable peace. ! believe there never
would be strikes il the employers and
employees could meet in fair confer
snce. If we could have got hearing
last year the great coal strike would
have been avoided" He said the pub
Lie was party to every strike, and
should be consulted. He hoped that
che chamber of commerce of New
York would lend it's mighty aid to the
Cancellation plan.
No Room for Strife.
! Charles R. Flint, the capitalist, was
humorously introduced as the walking
delegate of the American Rubber COM
pany, who worked IA hours day. He
expressed his confidence in the good
that would come of closer relationship
between labor and capital. He ex-
haustively reviewed the export trade
of the county, and the accomplish
ments of the skilled American labor
er, and said that in this the greatest
Industrial evolution the world had
ever known there was no room for
strife between American labor and
American capital.
Views of Others.
Daniel j. Keefe said that concilia-
ton was more acceptable than arbi-
tration, for In the latter system there
had to be decision defeating one
side OF the other.
William H. Sayward supported
Mitehelrs contention that the relation
of the two great industrial forces was
purely of a business nature. He said
the laborer did not want sympathy,
but good, square treatment, and when
he got it he generally returned good,
square treatment. He believed that
the employers should meet their men
in greater spirit of frankness.
James OConnell said that in the
metal trades employers and toilers
have learned the benefits of organiza-
tion and mutual concessions. He was
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