The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-24
SYMPATHY FOR PRESIDENT
Resolutions Passed at Last Nights SEES
slon-Pith of Addresses Delivered.


slon-PIth of Addresses Delivered.
Resolutions of sympathy for President
Roosevelt were adopted at last nights
session of the conference, the message
also expressing the regret of members at
the presidents inability to come to Min
neapolis.
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Wheeler, social sec
rotary of a Providence, R. l., department
store, was the first speaker Mrs. Wheel
ers position is unique and her paper
proved of particular interest. She ex-
planned that it was the duty of the social
secretary to act as intermediary between
employer and employe, business expansion
having made it impossible for the present.
day employer of labor to know personally
all his people, She advocated better wages
and the establishment of closer relations
between employer and employee, explain
ing that it was the duty of the social
secretary to bring about this latter con-
dition.
Professor Frank l.. McVey Of the state
university spoke of 1.-The Economic eff
fects of the Eight Hour Day." arguing
that. working day of eight hours had a
tendency both to increase production and
to sustain wages. He thought man
would do as much work in eight hours as
in ten for the reason that he would be
fresher and would do his work with great
er enthusiasm. The danger, he said, came
| in the possibility that labor unions might
attempt to establish a maximum amount
| Of work per hour, and this, he argued,
| should not be allowed.
Professor J. B. Clark of Columbia Uni
versity, referred to the eight-hour day as
the registry of civilization" He, too ex-
| pressed the opinion that man would do
| as much work in eight hours as he could
| accomplish in ten; and said he believed a
| radical change from ten to eight hours in
all branches of trade would not only not
! work harm, but would really prove or I'M
mediate benefit. 80. =: Fl.
w. D. Wiman, vice president of the
John Deere Plow company of Moline, ILL.,,
read a paper on THE Responsibility In
Labor Contracts, From the Standpoint OF
the Manufacturer" He predicted that the
time would soon come when a scheme
would be devised whereby labor as well as
CAPITAL would be held responsible in labor
contracts; and limited that this would
probably be brought about through the
labor unions, although, at present, a con-
tract made with union is simply a mora
and not legal obligation on the part OF
that union, while it binds the manufac-
turer who can be compelled to abide by
it's terms in court if need be. In Other
words. Mr.. Wiman argued that the EN-
ployes have stronger position, legally
than the employer; and said he though
the innate fairness of the American PEG
pie would impel them to discover rem
edy for that feature of present conditions
Referring to arbitration of difficulties
, arising between employer and employe
Mr.. winan said that even here the CAPT.
talist had no guarantee that the result o.
such. arbitration would be accepted az
, binding by the men. II am convinced
said Mr.. Wiman, that labor Will never
nossess the dignity that rightfully belongs
tn # until it assumes the responsibility II
demands of its employer"