The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-17
FEDERATION FAILS
 ID REACH VERDICT
Many Questions Are Discussed
 But No Action Taken :.
LABOR MEN PREDOMINANT
Several in the Audience Arose and Talked on Subjects Which Tended Toward Socialism Until Com
 pers Checked Debate.

Chicago, October 16-Although ques- tions of dispute and of great interest to the wage earner and the employer, such as the eopen shop methods of paying wages, piece work and bonus, came up before the conference of the National Civic Federation today, no action has yet been decided upon that will improve the relations of the principals in the contro- versy. However, 1t Is not considered im- probable that before the session is brought to a close some action that will aid in bringing labor and capital closer together may be taken. A number of speakers at the session today favored this, saying the occasion was opportune.
 Laboring men predominated in the pro- ceedings, and at one time, when the dis cussion was becoming general several in the audience arose and talked on questions which at times tended toward socialism. Samuel Gompers, the presiding officer, however, checked the debate. President Samuel Gompers of the Amer ican Federation of Labor called the meet l ing to order One of the first speakers was Henry c. Hunter, commissioner of 1 the Metal Trades association of New York; He spoke in opposition to the closed shop on account, as he said, the present condition of organized labor and the meth ods pursued by labor organizations for the accomplishment of their ends.
 Wipe Out the Blot.
 He spoke of acts of violence on the part of labor which he asserted were done with the knowledge and approval of the union and appealed to representative leaders to wipe out the blot of violence.
 A statement by MT. Hunter regarding the expulsion of organizations from the Central Federated Union of New York. was challenged by James P Archibald of New York, secretary of one of the unions to the body to which Mir. Hunter referred.
 MT. Archibald denounced 1t as untrue, as did other labor leaders introduced.
 A wordy war was imminent, several unionists shouting in unison, "It is un- true" untrue" MT. Hunter said the statement he has made was taken from a New York paper and that he could not vouch for it's truth.
 An assertion alleged to have been made at a meeting by a union man in regard to the closing of the Morse shipbuilding company, which MT. Hunter quoted from a newspaper was also denounced as un- l true. MT. Archibald said 1t never had been uttered and that he could not allow it to go uncontradicted He added that a reference to the minute gathering would bear out his assertion. Mir. Archibald said that the boilermak- CTS and blacksmiths were not expelled from the Central Federated union for not 1 striking as asserted but said it was done because of action detrimental to the union.
 MT. Hunter said he was glad to hear 1t repudiated and was applauded
 30 Per Cent Unorganzed.
 Marcus Marks, president of the Ma | tional Clothing association, speaking of | the open shop" said there are 20 per cent of workingmen in this country or | ganized and 80 per cent unorganized. It Is not. he said. more to the interest of trade unions to have "open" shops and allow missionary work to do the rest than to segregate the union men in strict ly union shops.
 The "open" shop from the standpoint of the employer was debated with the unionists present by various delegates. Various phases of it were discussed but no l particular point was brought out. A re- | cess was taken.
 J. N. Gum of New York talked on "re- striction of output and methods of wage l controversy" The advocacy of unre- stricted ouput and of scientifically ar ranged bonus on premium system on the l part of the trade unions, would imme- diately place membership in its ranks at a high premium, he said.
 James Mcconnell, president of the In- ternational Association, talked on the question of restriction of output and the methods of paying for labor performed. Restriction. he said, does not exist, and | the necessity of introducing other than the day system of paying men is unneces- sary to get the best productive results.
 William Pfehler of Philadelphia spoke upon the freedom of the individual, and said no one could take from him the right to enter or work in the "open" shop. | which he favored.
 10. H. Wester of Chicago an employe, pleaded against the restriction of output and said the employer was willing to grant to unionism nearly everything but this.
 Frank Buchanan, president of the Inter- national Bridge and Structural Iron Workers Association, spoke on what can be done to establish more rightful and better relations between employer and | employee"
 President Buchanan said that as long as the open shop remained. relations be- tween labor and capital would be Tn harmony. And it would be better for capital and labor if dishonest representa- tives of each were eliminated.
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 had they to my knowledge ever made any guarantee of such character on ex- cursions of like kind. If anything should have occurred to prevent the excursion, would under my guarantee, have had to meet the cost.
 Took Up Much Time.
 During the four months just prior to said excursion, for a considerable portion ! Of. the time, l was not only engaged in making arrangements for it, but much of the time two stenographers in my em- ploy were needed to carry on large cor respondence with newspaper men making inquiries concerning the arrangements for 1t. The hundreds of letters written. or dic- tated by me necessarily consumed time which l could otherwise have devoted to my business. and almost every day broke into and fnterfered with the routine of