The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-11
INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENTS
TOPIC DISCUSSED BY THE CIVIC
FEDERATION YESTERDAY.
Addresses by Samuel Gompers, N. M.
Garland, o. c. Barbour, Prof. j. w.
jerks and Others.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9.-The third session
of the annual meeting Of the industrial de-
partment of the National Civic Federation
opened to-day, as on each of the two
previous days. with the hall crowded to it's
capacity. The general topic for discussion
was Industrial Agreements" Owing TO
'the late arrival of Senator Hanna the
meeting was called to order with Arch
bishop Ireland occupying the chair.
Secretary Ralph NJ. Easily read part of q
circular he had sent TO a large number OF
manufacturers asking them: do you re-
gard it a practical proposition to gradually
reduce hours by voluntary. uniform agree
ment throughout a given industry pro-
vided the employees agree to abandon any
arbitrary restrictions upon output?" To
the question 900 replies were received. s7f.
of them being in the affirmative.
Samuel Gompers, president CO the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, speaking of the
assertion that the unions should Be incor-
porated. said the suggestion was made for
the purpose of affording an Opportunity To
mulct the unions in damages. One Of the
greatest complaints, he believed, organized
labor has against employers OF labor is
the refusal OF many TO meet and discuss
their grievances with the men. Mr. Com
pers opposed the suggestion that the eight
hour day ought not to be adopted until its
adoption can be made general.
o. c. Barbour, president of the Diamond
Match Company, declared the present high
standards among workmen in this country
are not due to the labor unions, but TO men|
in all branches of business who have airned
at high standards. Great Britain has lost
its industrial supremacy because OF the
strength there of the trades unions, which.
he said, are going contrary TO the law of1
least resistance.
Frederick Driscoll. commissioner OF the
American Newspaper Publishers Assocfa-
ton, presented a resume OF the efforts Cd
his association 10 reach an UNDERSTANDING
with the unions which should prevent
strikes and bring matters Of disagreement
TO arbitration.
NJ NJ. Garland. former president of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron. Steel and
Tin Workers. said: You may talk of these
but one way. IL is necessary for the en-
ployers and the l6borers 10 get together a u
one family and 10 thresh out their differ1
ences." He favored the piece work SYSTEM
and shorter hours, but not pensions for old
age.
]. w jerks. professor of political econl
omy at Cornell University. in his address
said: Legally the strike breaker is right
he may work for whoever he will Morally
he may be right or he may be wrong
Chairman Hanna, i'm closing the discuaj
sion, declared himself opposed TO the MOI
ton that labor unions should be inco~l
porated. Regarding the work OF the Civid
greatly encouraged by the renewed p,,blid
interest in this great question and nv ~
interest OF those VINO have been presen
with here" He did not expect he sassI
any great results once, but the com
mittee would continue 10 work. would I'D
crease it's personnel end would keen :,
with or go ahead of public opinion He 49,
clared himself opposed TO Compulsory . 81,
tration. The solution OF the labor onesfio.y
he declared. would result from the GOMEZ
ence of employers ard employees with 49,
one desire 10 do whal is best for both
At the conclusion or the discussion m
committee went into executive session and
elected the following officers for nexf vse
Senator Marcus a Hanna. Chairman o.
car s. Straus. first vice president: Sam1,e}
Gompers. second vice president: Cornell,1
~. Bliss, treasurer, and Ralph NJ Easle~1
general secretary. IL was also decided ~
the committee will hold semi-annual rnces1
ings hereafter. In May and December I'm }
stead of annual meetings. and that local
larger cities for the purpose OF carrvinJ
on the educational work OF the fedora ftorj
The conference then adjourned.