Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-11
WHAT SHOULD THEY INCLUDED
Communications from Many Manufac-
trrers, Received by Secretary Easley
Expressing Their Views on the Cues
ton - Election of Officers for Next
Year - Senator Hanna as Chairman.

/
! Secretary Easley read part of cir
cular he had sent to large number OF
manufacturers asking them: DO you
regard it practical proposition te
gradually reduce hours by voluntary
uniform agreement thruout given in
| dustry, provided the employees agree tic
abandon any arbitrary restrictions up
on output?"
| To the question 900 replies were re-
ceived, GIL Of them being in the affirm
alive.
Marcus NJ. Marke, president of the
National Association of Clothing Manu-
facturers. followed, taking the position
that short hour is necessary. not only
for the employees, but for the employers
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation of Labor, speak
ing of the claim that the unions should
be incorporated, said that the sugges-
ton was made for the purpose of af-
fording 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 griev-
ances with the men. Mr.. Gompers op-
posed the suggestion that the eight
hour day ought not to be adopted until
It's adoption can be made general.
Alfred Moseley said that if America
should attempt to work upon the eight
hour day plan, the result would bring
about deplorable industrial condition
here. if the other two great industrial
nations, England and Germany, con-
tinue on the ten-hour day plan.
o. C. Barber, president of the Dia-
mond Match Company, declared the
present high standards among work.
men in this country are not due to the
labor unions. but to men in all branches
of business who have aimed 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 of least resistance.
The afternoon session began with an
address by Frederick Driscon. commits
sioner of the American Newspaper
Publishers Association. in which he
presented a result of the successful eff
forts of his association to reach an nn-
with the unions which
should prevent strikes and bring mat
tiers of disagreement to arbitration.
Samuel Mather. of Pickands, Mather
& Co., of Cleveland. o., spoke of the
working agreement that has been in
existence for three years between the
'longshoremen's union and the Associa-
ton of Dock Managers affecting the
Forts from Buffalo to Toledo. The
agreement, he said, had caused a
marked improvement in the conditions
and worked most successfully during
the three years.
Alfred Keefe, member Of the long
union, said that in asking
for change in conditions, If the la
borers We're not able to advance suffi-
cient reason for the change, they were
not entitled to 1t.
Frederick T. Towne. of the National
Founders Association, said the efforts
of his association to arrive at agree
ments satisfactory to both the employ
ers and the laborers have resulted in
great benefit.
the Amalgamated Association of Iron,
Steel and Tin Workers, said:
you may talk of the agreements, but
to my thinking there is but one way.
II is necessary for the employers and
the laborers to get together as one fam
lily and to thresh out their differences"
He favored the piece work system
and shorter hours, but not pensions for
old age
A. Beverly Smith, secretary of the
Association of the /
United States, said:
"The apathy of the employers is re-
sponsible for all the conditions that are
III to them.
Legally the strike breaker is right; |
he may work for whoever he will. Nor
ally he may be right or he may be
wrong"
John Graham Brooks declared that |
mutual agreement, conscientiously car
ried out, would, in his opinion, settle
the most ticklish question connected I
with the labor movement; that the
nom union man, who under the condi
lions brought about by the adoption of
he joint agreement, would enter the
Unions.
George N. Barnes, one of the English
delegates in Mr.. Moseley's party. spoke
n favor of piece work, properly regu-
ated, and against unregulated piece
work. He believed that specialization
lad reached the point in this country
where it would be prejudicial to the
1ealth and welfare of the workmen.
Henry White presented a resolution,
which was passed, that the executive
committee be empowered to appoint
committee to inquire into and report on
he subject matters discussed at this
conference in order that definite re-
suit might be reached.
Chairman Hanna, in closing the dis
'ussion, declared himself opposed to the
lain that labor unions should be in
,orporated.
Regarding the work Of the Civic Fed
,ration, he said:
For myself, I feel greatly encour-
ICED by the renewed public interest In
his great question and by the interest
# those who have been present
With u.s."
He did not expect, he said. any great
esults at once. but the committee
would continue to work. would increase
is personnel and would keep up with
II a little ahead of public opinion. He
declared himself opposed to compulsory