The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-08
Speeches by Gompers, Mitchell, Bish-
op Potter and Others at Meet
ing in New York.
RAILWAY employees STRIKE
I.ACkAwANNA MACHINlSTS AND
OTHER MEN QUIT WORK
All the Street-Car Lines Of Albany,
Troy, Cohoes, Watcrviict and
Rensselaer, Tied Ip.

NEW YORK, May THE national joint
committee on arbitration and conciliation,
appointed at the meeting of the National
Civic Federation in Chicago in December
last for the determination OF means of re-
lief and avoidance of labor troubles. met
here to-day TO hear the report of the sub
committee appointed to consider the plan
and scope of the work, The members OF
the subcommittee are Herman Justi. COM
missioner from the Illinois coal operators:
John Mitchell president of the United Mine
Workers; Z. b. Kenna, vice president OF
the Santa Fe Railroad: Frank p. Sargent.
president of the Brotherhood Of Locomotive
Firemen, and f. II. Griscoll. commissioner
from the American Publishers Associa-
ton. The report of the subcommittee was
not made public In 1t were plans for the
carrying on of the work. Permanent or
ganization will be effected and headquar-
ters established both in New York and
Chicago
Cancellation as a means Of maintaining
Industrial peace between labor and capital
was discussed by leaders OF unionism and
finance at the Chamber Of Commerce this
afternoon. The meeting was arranged by
the industrial department OF the National
Civic Federation, and all of the contribu-
tors TO the symposium were leaders in their
several fields of activity. They met upon
common grounds and were unit in the
hope that strife would be eliminated from
the relations Of employer and tOiler and a
perpetual truce declared. 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 Rub
ber Company; Daniel J. keefe. of the Illi-
nois Board OF Arbitration; William h. Say
ward. of the National Association of Build
ers; James OConnell. president OF the In
ternational Association OF Machinists. and
Herman Justi, commissioner OF the Illinois
Coal Operators Association.
Samuel Gompers presided and in opening
the meeting expressed the hope that a new
epoch had come in the relations of labor
and capital. I'VE want industrial peace,
but not at the sacrifice Of any Of the ele-
ments OF manhood" he said. "The in
creased growth In the organization or la
Dor has brought greater responsibility.
The work is going ahead actively however
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 la
boring people insist that they be regarded
as something more than wage earners
They are men with rights. and hopes, ana
aspirations, and love" He expressed the
belief that the plan OF Cancellation shoull
be aided by every man who was against
strife and for peace. He said that the
unions sought to do injustice 10 no man,
but was formed 10 conserve the rights OF
those who formed them.
Bishop Potter expressed his qualification
at the growth OF the spirit OF Cancellation.
IF you rise to this opportunity he said,
you will set the world another example
that it viii be your privilege to remember
with pride all Of your lives
John Mitchell said that he was for peace
because he had known the bruises of war.
THE RELATIONS of labor and capital" ne
said, ARE purely a business proposition
There is no sentiment in it. Peace is better
for BOTH and / for peace II we can
have an honorable peace. I believe there
never would be strikes IL the employers
and employees could meet In fair confer
ence. IL we could have got a hearing last
year the great coal strike would have been
avoided" He said the public was a party
TO every strike and should be consulted.
He hoped that the Chamber of Commerce
OF New York would lend its mighty aid 10
the conciIiation plan.
Charles r. Flint, the capitalist was
humorously introduced as the walking dele
gate OF the American Rubber Company,
who worked fourteen hours day. He ex-
pressed his confidence in the good that
would come of closer relationship between
Labor and capital.