The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-09
LABOR AND CAPITAL
MEET IN CONVENTION OF CIVIC
FEDERATION.
HANNA CALLED TO ORDER
THE FIRST SESSION OF THE ARBI-
TRATI0N ASSOCIATION.

AmOnk w hO -hNuhNHHNNA 49,
observation-disclosures Lasts Sew
eraI Days.
New York. Dec. S.-The first annual
meeting of the industrial department
of the National Civic Federation was
begun mere to-day. Senator Hanna
called the session to order and made
an address of welcome, in which he
said:
I'm extending welcome to you. also
wish to extend congratulations. l am
glad to be able to say that our expe-
rences in the last year have proved to
those who are charged with the respon-
sibilities of this work the fact that the
great mass of the American people are
in sympathy with the organization and
its work. This great industrial ques-
ton has come to the surface, and is
demanding due and careful considera-
ton by the people of the United States.
No more important question claims
their attention than this one which
seeks to bring about a better relation
ship between capital and labor.
The object of this meeting to-day
and for the several days for which we
are to meet, is to discuss in every phase
of this question all matters of interest
which will tend to the improvement of
these conditions as affecting these two
great factors. and which shall interest
to a larger extent the people of this
country to join with us in this work"
Archbishop IreIand's Address
At the afternoon session Archbishop
Ireland made an address In which he
said the year now almost gone had
confirmed the originators of the Civic
Federation in their conviction that they
were engaged in a great and salutary
work, that of striving to bring to-
gether, to put face to face. capital
and labor so that the one would UNI
derstand the rights of the other. so
that the one would be willing to per-
form it's own duty toward the other.
and that in this manner universal
peace should be made to reign over
the country.
Labor, in its effort to secure for
itself just and reasonable propor-
ton of the wealth that it and capital
! together are creating-necessarily for
the time being, comes somewhat into
conflict with capital. And what seems
at present to threaten somewhat pub
lie peace and to arrest somewhat the
growth of prosperity, is but a precur-
sorry sign of greater social happiness,
and of greater wealth. 1t is not at
one meeting; it 1t not in one year that
all these great problems can be solved
AT the same time we must feel sure
that solution is coming Humanity
has sufficient mind and has sufficient
good will to settle all matters in
which 1t is vitality interested" z
Charles Francis Adams. on the sub
ject of labor strikes. said in part
THE trouble with us is that we are
always prating of the force of pub
lie opinion; but, when the exigency
arises, we evince no confidence what
ever in it. Like a parcel of children, we
are apt to cry out for the master to
come in and enforce instant obedience
with the rod. I submit that perma-
nent results with us in America are
not reached in that way. Let us in
this latter have the courage of our
convictions.
II have already expressed my be-
lief that, II such a system as / have
suggested could be brought into be-
ing through a very simple act of leg
islation. which, open to no constitu-
tional or other objection, would be in
entire accord with our Industrial sys-
TEN, our traditions. and the American
ideals, it would settle nine matters of
controversy which arise out of ten.
l now further submit 1t is highly de-
sirable from every point of view that
the tenth case of controversy should
not be settled, but should be fought
out In the practical affairs Of life.
as we all know. it is necessary now
and then that the fight should be to
finish. Our own Civil War was a
case in poiist. No arbitration ever
could have settled that; no appeal to
reason would have produced conyic-
ton. The issue had to be fought to
a finish. That it was so fought we
are now all grateful: though, at the
time, the demand was loud and inces-
SAINT for an end to this useless, this
suicidal strife.
This exceptional case, however by
no means brought the principles of ar
bitration and reasonable adjustment
into contempt. On the contrary, they
have grown stronger ever since. Sc
curing more and more hold on public
opinion. What is necessary in my
Judgment is to organize that public
opinion; and, when organized and
made effective, to rely on ii to pro-
duce all desirable results in the aver
age case. But it can only be organized
by bringing 1t. to bear through the
medium of capable men, thoroughly
informed upon the special matter un-
der discussion, and competent to ex-
press courageous opinions clearly. The
tribunal doing this should then dis
solve. 1t should not continue in exis-
tence, the target for criticism, partisan
discussion and popular odium. Should
new case arise, another tribunal of a
similar character would at the proper
time be called into being to deal with
it IN its turn.
Sound and fruitful legislation can
not, moreover, be improvised. 1t Is
idle 10 talk, in language as empty as
II Is grandiose. of "curbng" and regu-
lating potentates and powers of such
large, and yet vague, character as
those that labor and capital are now
continually bringing into the field. by
any patented method. governmental
regulation which shall deal satlsfac-
torily with them must rest upon a
broad and well-considered basis OF ex-
perience."
some of Those Who Attend.
Not often have there appeared IN
this city 50 many prominent men OF
national and international repute as
met to-day. Among those present were
Cornelius ~ Bliss, exGeoretary Of the
Interior. New York city. Oscar 8.
Strauss. member Of the Court OF Ar
bitratiOn az The Hague, New York
city; Charles Francis Adams. former
president of The Union Pacific Rail-