The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-08-09
BY WILLIAM A. SCHAPER.


assistant Professor of Political Sci
ence, University of Minnesota.)
The Supreme Grand League of AM
erica has secured the use of the ex-
position building in Minneapolis, in
which to hold a convention in Septem-
Der, for the purpose of bringing to-
eether employer and employe for the
purpose of creating a healthy agitation
for more harmonious relations between
capital and labor.
The idea of holding a national con-
vention of employers and employees
grew out of an earlier attempt to call
a meeting of those interested in the
eight-hour movement. Others took up
the original plan, broadened its scope
.,antll xaaa ttAsaal 9axss
ence was decided upon that should
bring together representative employ
ers, the ablest spokesmen of organized
labor and distinguished investigators
of our industrial and social problems.
This national gathering is designed
to afford an opportunity for the free
exchange of ideas on the present labor
problem. 1t is an attempt to inaug-
urate great educational movement in
which all sides are to participate and
pose, namely, a better understanding
and a more satisfactory adjustment of
the relation between employer and
employe.
The promoters of this movement
have no cure all to advocate, no pro-
paganda to spread. Their one aim is
to afford an opportunity for the two
opposing sides in the present labor
disputes to get together on neutral
ground and calmly talk over the stu
alton.
It is hoped that a meeting Of this
kind will give both Sides as we'll as
the less Immediately interested stu
dent and investigator, an opportunity
to be fairly and fully represented and
heard. In this way employer, en-
ploye and investigator will for the first
time meet on an equal footing for an
earnest but dispassionate conference.
Such a meeting may fairly be expected
to promote good feeling and greater
mutual respect. The discussions will
throw flood of light on the situation
as it exists today. They will correct
many misconceptions and do away
with the ill-founded prejudice which
now exists between the two great busi-
ness partners labor and capital.
It is hoped to have enterprising and
successful employers who have made
substantial progress in the way of Sc
curing and keeping the willing Coop
Grafton and the enthusiastic loyalty of
their employees. There are many such
employers in this country who have
worked in perfect harmony with their
employees for a whole generation. Their
phenomenal success may be quite as
much due to the character of their en-
ployes, the nature of the business they
are engaged in, as to the skill Of the
managers. Their success may none the
less point to the correct solution of the
problems of preventing the frequent
clashes between the employer and his
employees. We want to find these men
out and induce them to attend this
meeting and give the country the bene-
fit of their experiment.
The time is ripe for taking stock of
the plans and ideas that individuals,
scattered about this entire country,
have worked out with more or less
completeness 1t is time that these
men of constructive ability and long
experience get together and compare
notes. Out of this mass of information
which will be accumulated, sifted and
put into printed form We may hope
to obtain many practicable and valu-
able suggestions to guide the employer
as we'll as the employe. It is time to
settle upon a general policy concern
ing several important matters touch
ing the relation of the employer and
employe. Scattered individual efforts
may thus be converted into a concerted
national movement.
On many other questions still in
dispute we need more light. Among
others the eight-hour day will attract
increasing attention. Is a shorter day
desirable, all things considered? Is it