Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-13
TO SOLVE LABOR PROBLEMS
Convention Of Employers and Employees is
Called for Minneapolis.
MOVE IN THE INTEREST OF HARMONY
Discussion of shorter work Day
Leads to Plan for Settlement of
More Causes of Dis
agreement.

September a meeting unique in the United
States. Similar meetings have been held
In England and an attempt was made to
hold one in New York some time ago, but
It did not cover the country, as will the
one to be held at Minneapolis. At this
meeting will be present representatives Of
persons employing large numbers Of persons
in factories and other branches Of material
industry, and the representatives of the
persons so employed.
The proposed meeting grew out Of labor
conditions in the city Of Minneapolis, which
are common to all Industrial centers re-
CARELESS Of size. A year or more ago the
unions Of that city decided to make a de-
mand for shorter hours and improved con-
ditlons generally. Several strikes ensued
which resulted in compromises, which,
said to be mutually satisfactory" were
satisfactory to neither party. The demand
for shorter hours was the principal plea
Of the workers and upon this subject they
met with the strongest opposition. EN-
ployers said that they were willing per-
sonRlly to concede the shorter hours, but
that 1t could not be done, as 1t would mean
the destruction of their business, as
they could not operate their shops
on an eight-hour basis and compete with
factories in cities where a ten-hour work
day prevailed. This statement led TO the
formation Of a local society for the pro-
pagation of the idea of an eight-hour work
day in all parts Of the country. Local So
cieties were formed in the states of New
York, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Califor-
mia, while in cities Of other states the mat
ter was taken up by persons interested.
1t was proposed that a national eight-hour
convention be held in Minneapolis, and the
idea met with favor.
Sphere of Activity Expands.
While the eight-hour discussion was go
ing on other questions attracted the at
tention Of the promoters. The shorter work
day was seen to be but one phase OF the
labor question, and persons attracted to the
original organization began to discuss
branches OF the subject. The general dis
cussion led to a closer study of labor ques-
tions by the employers and employees Of
Minneapolis, who were connected with the
movement for the eight-hour convention,
and the result was that 1t was changed from
an eight-hour convention to a convention
Of employers and employees. at which every
phase Of the labor question will be dis
cussed. The National Elght-Hour league Of
America loaned its machinery to the new
movement, and 1t was decided that for the
purposes of the convention that organiza-
tion would be continued, but that 1t would
disband upon the assembling of the conven-
ton and leave Its successor to be chosen
by the delegates and representatives pres
emit at that time.
The movement has created considerable
interest wherever It has been discussed.
The city Of Minneapolis through it's Com
mercial club and similar organizations has
raised the sum Of $1,000, to be used in
caring for the convention. Local commit
tees composed of some of the most promi-
nent capitalists have been formed. working
under a general committee composed of the
chairmen Of the various subcommittee.
and it is expected that representatives will
be present from every state in the union.
Cyrus Northrup, president Of the Mime
sofa State university, is president Of the
general committee. ]. B. Cilhllan is chair
man OF the finance committee. The Mime
sofa senators are chairmen Of committees
for especial work and Governor Van SAINT
has been drafted to perform duty on a
special committee. G. L. Rockwell is sec
rotary Of the general committee and is
now d~evoting his personal attention to
building up the movement. He has sent
letters to men prominent in business and
political life. to United States senators and
others, all of whom approve the plan Of the
convention.
Expressions of Prominent Men.
Grover Cleveland writes: II anticipate
good results from the conference which the
Eight Hour league has set on foot " 4" /"
provided that all parties are actuated by
the proper sentiment and motives and meet
with a determination to accomplish real
and substantial results" Carroll d.
Wright approves the plan and says: "Such
a conference must in the nature of things
accomplish some good" Letters commend
ing the movement were received from Sem
ators Foster, Mason, Turner, Frye. Per-
kins, Warren, Penrose, John p. Jones. Nc
Cumber and McComas, and from President
Eliot of Harvard university, President Har-
per Of Chicago university and other promi-
nent educators.
The plan Of representation is through the
organization Of branches Of the National
Eight-Hour league, whose delegates will
be regularly accredited to the convention.
In addition to these there will be especial
invitations issued TO the officers OF the
American Federation OF Labor. officers OF
national and international trades union. to
prominent employers Of labor, to the may
ors, engineers and heads Of department OF
cities. to the governors Of state and to such
SN1SN1 - h1J AA1NN - NNSR IA ~
questions affecting labor.
Special invitations will be issued to the
members of the Civic federation, the So
ciety recently organized. with Senator
Hanna at its head. for the settlement Of
strikes.
HODes for Much.
Mr.. Rockwell. secretary Of the Mime.
apolis association. is in the city and will
remain until tonight. This afternoon he
will hold a conference with labor leaders
and others Of the city at the Labor Tenn.
pie for the purpose OF forming a local asso-
citation and will outline the plans Of the
organization. Speaking of the matter h
said:
I'VE expect to have the most important
meeting ever held in the United States
on this subject. In the west there are hun.
dreds OF employers and employees who d.
not understand the present labor situation
In the east there are many who have ex
perienced all Of the trouble and have in
measure found grounds upon which many o
the questions can be settled temperate!
at least. We will get these men tOgetheI
and they will discuss ali questions and vi
hope that they will arrive at som solu
tion Of the many questions which are agi
tating the labor world. What we hope 4
paa e anuna plau avaIvad whRoh nth unab.