New-York tribune., 1902-12-10
TO BENEFIT LABOR.
MANY PLANS DISCUSSED
Cigc Federation Tails Of Tap70us
Theories.

TIE attention Of yesterdays sessions of the indus
trial department Of the National Civic Federation
! somewhat lively discussion precpitsted in
the morning by the assertion Of James o-Counell
president OF the International Association of Ma
ohinists that the number OF apprentices should be
limited. This policy was questioned by DR.. w 5
Rainsfori. who announced il as undemocratc but
Hr. O'Counelrs position defended by President
tzorapers Of the American Federation of Dor
The mornings question Of restriction of output
vss discussed by Professor John r. Commons. Of
the United States Bureau of Labor, who is in
charge OF the departments Investigation of the
subject under the direction of Carroll n Wright
r 4. Haisey- Editor Of The American Machinist-
ard Mr OConnell. The day proved too short to
settle the question Of shorter hours and this morn
ing Mr. Gompers will give the views of the Arner5
can Federation Of Labor on that topic before the
subject OF the day. industrial agreements. IS
taken up
Yesterday afternoon Professor George tiunton
Editor Of 'CIunJon's Magazine; a F Weber
statistician Of the NewYork Bureau OF Labor.
Lewis Nixon president of the American Shipbuild-
fag Company. Theodore F Marburg vice-presiaent
ot the American Economic Associa ton and George
II Barber Of Detroit. president of the National
Association OF Manufacturers gave their views on
shorter working day.
Senator Hanna opened yesterdays proceedings
ry introducing Professor Commons who began
by saying that union that is anything more than
q mere benevolent association endeavors 10 re-
strict the employer at some point. He continued:
Il labor unions are restrictive the question arises
Are al reEtrictions alike? y shorter workGay is
simply one form OF the demand for higher wages
hand and large output on the other the TWO srsS
ehiefts Of Industrial progress? And where en-
each side are able TO strike fair balance between
ne tEo are heS n9t thereby through self-interest
IN the question of apprentices the union has in
man all around education in the trade Both Of
these objects tend apparently to restrict output
Apprentices might learn their trades in trade
sc.o5is but .h ;hs would take of the limitation on
maintain union wages.
The premium method Of payment was then pre-
ssnted by Mr. Halsey. who declared his policy thus
The first article OF my creed relative TO the treat
Ient q the emPioye by the employer is that he
conclusions following that lire policy is that he
wages. and you raise his self-respect: simply give
him presents ana You cultivate the spirit of the
waiter. who is dependent his tips The system
of premium payment is in sense intended to split
BY that mean that it has a rate Of payment per
dag. ebeve which is placed an additional premium
OF the workman and the employer each getting A
goes down at the same time. the one because of the
ether. I think pieeework is an invention of the
Istn % Ii b his yae m are It 5lS @ eer
-ne This Ierv d7fc1,itt- maj This nren,i,, S,sfe
as devised.
The first two speeches then discussed from
the point Of view Of the trade unionist by Nr.
o'CoanelI, who agreed with Mr. Hasey in denounc-
ing piece work, bat refused TO accept the premium
plan, saying that il had been proved inefficient
Mr. Moseley took exception TO Mr.. O'Connell's
quoting Of his delegation. Mr.. Barnes, as hav-
ing referred conditions in the Baldwin Locomo-
tive Works. when Mr.. Barnes had mentioned no
Then the Rev Dr. Rainsford. OF ST. Georges
Episcopal Church, questioned some OF Mr.. OCon-
nes remarks the Limitation Of apprentices ask
ing Il Mr.. O'Connell had not assumed too great a
knowledge OF conditions. and saying that he him
self knew of shops where there was trouble from
inability TO get trained
After Mr.. oConnell had made sarcastic refer
enee 10 democratic principles as opposed TO actual
conditions. M Gompers tried to cast oil over the
troubled waters by saying that the scarcity OF
trained men alluded to by DR.. Rainsford due
10 the fact that men in this country only learned
part OF their trade Mr. Gompers also remarked
strike breakers.
When the convention settled down Mr.. white
spoke on the problem OF machinery. He said in
part:
Labor saving methods seem 10 be calamity. be
suits and deprive some Of their aceugtomed means
OF q livelihood to render useless skill acquired
they are gradually absorbed into other channels of
IS decreased
The afternoon session was devoted to the eight
hour movement. The first speaker. Professor
Gunton. treated OF its philosophy. asserting:
The shorter hour movement is the one that offers
the first opportunity TO the laborer to better his
me la5orer chance TO think, 10 come in contact
hin tP be9ent a9 70 a%n nsp a The a6i3x
at q disadvantage toward each other ii is i'm
should be as general possible. that all the
employers should be placed IN the situation.
The next speaker A F Weber, reviewed the
history Of the Use OF the eight hour movement, de-
dUciag therefron this lesson:
The shorter workday has meant increased phys-
cal efficiency and greater intelligence and inven-
Jyeness among The workers. and a purer family
IN I'M
generation better trained and more trustworthy
workers, and fewer paupers. criminals and other
social product.
He was followed by Lewis Nixon, who endeavored
show the identity of the employer with the
workman in America He spoke against gifts from
employers 10 laborers, saying:
I don't believe in altruism. I don't believe in
man to coddle me when was worker. don't
nsheye in giving The men what they may not want want
not figure il out and give il 10 the men in in
creased wages and in shorter hours.
Nh Mosely was brought 70 his feet by a remark
Of Mr.. Nixon that no man DO a days work in
England without drinking This sfr Mosely de-
MED in his own case. and provoked little laughter
from the audience
The next speaker, Nj iarburg spoke against
the eight hour day, unless universal. saying that
il opposed to the economic interests of the
community. He proposed instead gradual reduc-
ton Of hours, summing up his position follows;
A gradual reduction Of hours would not seriously
Increase the cost OF uanufac ctures. and therefore
@oud not affeeL our exports & II II were cone graa
ay Tor period OF eight years. ana even II II dio
increase them, with the result OF cutting down our
exports of manufactured products. the game would
stu be worth the candle.
The last speaker OF the afternoon vas George H.
Barber who treated shorter hour question from
the manufacturers side. saying in part:
The laborer would be affected if the naputset- ct
urers' produce reduced. and IL means that the
expense OF production would be increased at least