The Washington times., 1903-09-01
Head of Coal Strike Commits
sion Declares RooSebelt
Acted Conro9eoaSly and
Wisely in Grace Crisis.
CAPITAL AND BOR
1--WE VIII Solbe Problem, in
Oar OZUn Way Says
Eminent Jarist, Along
Lines of Humanity and
Common Sense. -


WILMINGTON. Del. Sept. 1.-If there
is one man in the country likely at this
moment TO speak knowingly and without
passion or interest of the outlook for
industrial peace in the United States,
that man is Judge George Gray, presi-
dent of President Roosevelt's commits
sion which settled the giant anthracite
coal strike, who has just returned from
Alabama, where he succeeded in set
Ting the serious bituminous coal strike.
Judge Gray spoke fully and frankly on
the subject yesterday, declaring his hope
for the future and defending President
Roosevelt against the charge that his
interference in the anthracite strike was
a trespass on the rights of private prop
erty.
Will Find Solution.
II believe that we will find solution
of the question involved in this struggle
between capital and labor he said.
I'VE will solve it in our own way.
along lines of humanity and common
sense. But it will take q long time.
Habit changes slowly when the change
is real and permanent. We have got to
have some system of arbitration TO avoid
the settlement of questions by force in
civilized states. I am confident that
there is bottom fact in human nature
in which we can fnd an alternative OF
violence and the strong hand.
Il do not say that this alternative
viii be applicable to all questions. but
when we come TO large issues which
must be settled-which must be settled,
I say-and the question is the displace-
ment OF union men on the one side or
the displacement Of non union men on
the other side. a settlement by force
leaves bitterness and unrest II new la
Dor is used TO displace the old labor. end
a settlement is effected only by the use
of police, the question is whether we
have not purchased peace at too great
a price; and I think that employers are
coming and will come to see that they
will have more advantage in a peaceful
settlement with the old and accustomed
labor than by rudely settling a dispute
by bringing in new labor at lower wages
or altered conditions.
Labor Unions Here to Stay.
my opinion is that labor unions have
come to stay. The tendency Of organ
ized labor is to bring better men to the
front. That tendency is marked AS VIC
go on labor Will pass through its Ceth-
semane OF strikes and discords and .ome
out on a plane and recognize a true
purpose and method consistent with The
best ends OF human society. Time hEd
experience are developing wisdom and
moderation in the leaders of organized
labor
II think that personal contact in the
settlement of labor questions is educa-
tional to both employer and employe
Both sides have something to learn.
Il dare not hope that there will not
be serious labor troubles in the future
but feel that there will be better
ment Of conditions. AS business is be-
ing done on an increasingly larger basis
the distance that separates the workman
personally from his employer increases
They do not and cannot see each other
as much as they did In former conditions
The human relations grow fainter. Ar
bitration tends to bring them together
10 bridge the cbasm. to restore the hu-
man touch.
Il do not believe in compulsory arbi-
trstion.' That would not be arbitration
at all"
1T has been said. Judge Gray. thai
the interference of President Roosevelt
in the anthracite strike. considering tho
power and influence of his Office, amount