The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-15
TO DISCUSS THE
LABOR PROBLEM
The National Civic Federation Cor
ference Opens It's Session
in Chicago.
Distinguished Representatives Of
Both Capital and Labor Are
in Attendance.
Oscar S. Strauss Presides Over To-
Days Meeting and Delivers
Significant Speech.

Significant Speech.
Chicago, Oct. 15.-Employers and
labor representatives Of national repu-
| tation were in attendance to-day in
Stetnway hall at the opening session
OF the National Civic Federation con-
ference which Is to discuss and debate
questions affecting wage Garner and
capitalist In an effort to better rela-
tatlons between them and to right in
dustrial evil.
William D. Mahon, president of the
Amalgamated Association of Street
Railway Employees Of America, Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
president of the United Mine Workers,
and S. s. Mcclure Of New York were
among those present at the gathering
which was Gale dto order by Judge
A. N. Waterman, president Of the Chi
oago branch of the Civic Federation.
Capital was also represented as was
the farmer. T.. r. Woodlock, editor
OF a New York financial paper, Oscar
| S. Strauss, president Of the New 7 ork
board Of trade and transportation, and
John M. Stahl, who will represent the
agr1culturists,s being in attendance.
Judge Waterman made a, brief adj
dress stating the purpose of the COM
trial progress was possible except un-
der the reign Of peace which the con-
ference is endeavoring to bring about.
Howard w. Taylor, city prosecutor,
welcomed the visiting delegates on be-
half Of Chicago, Mayor Harrison being
unable to be present.
MT: Strauss was introduced and
presided at to-dayS session. He
spoke on How to establish better re-
lations between employer and en-
ploye, advocating conservatism In
dealing with labor troubles.
Mr.. Strauss Address.
The value, Of trade unions in rails.
ing the standard Of living, and guarding
the interests Of labor in regulating the
hours and conditions of work are
benefits which organization has un-
questionably promoted. The great
hope Of our industrial: future Is.
that the working classes whose pow
ers for good and for evil have been SO
strengthened by organization, will be
guided by enlightened. principles, and
abstain from seeking proximate bene-
fits in contravention Of undoubted eco
nomtcT experiences and at the cost of
fundamental rights. y
To the extent they misuse their
great power Of arbitrarily curtailina
the rights of their fellow 1aborers Or
isfheir employers, they array themselves
against public sentiment, and from
that day their power and their useful
ness will decline. Even If labor or
carnations comprised the entire
number Of wage workers in the coun-
try this would give them no right
either to override the personal liberty
of those within or beyond their ranks.
or to Insist upon special privileges or
immunities. They must rely upon the
business of their cause, and to the ex-
{y = IL. = -ll=,
the bludgeon in compelling others to
unite with them, to that extent they
negative their own. claim to being a
Brotherhood organization whose pur-
pose is to elevate and benefit the wage
earning class"
Percentage Is Small.
But as a matter of fact, while labor
organisations are very strong in some
industries they include only about &
per cent of the wage *earners Of the
country and 1t must not be forgotten
that organization, however powerful
can give no rights to curtail the per-
sonal liberty Of the remaining Sc per
cent OF the wage earners Of the coun-
try.
while the greatly increased orranl.
cation OF both laborers and EMPLOYERS
ts fact which must be taken into con-
sideration In discussing the Industrial
future, 1t must not be overlooked that
however powerful these great interests
may grow, they can only embrace a
fraction Of the people In any country.
The general public is greater and many
times more numerous than these two
powerful bodies combined, and upon It
must fall the heaviest losses that grow
out OF Industrial war. The general
public is patient, long suffering and
enduring. It's only Organisation is the
general government, municipal, state
q n n al FL y,
public welfare"
Public opinion demands that the
great public service corporations not
only shall perform their function but
also they shall not be obstructed in
that performance and it also demands
that the great avenues Of supply and
distribution of the necessities Of life
shall not be arbitrarily cut off in order
to test the relative strength and en-
during powers Of the contendinr
forces.
Organized labor and organized CAPT.
tai are In formative state. They are
both new to- their acquired power.
With time and experience a reaction n
favor of conservatism will make itself
felt, and In the meantime Cancellation
will help rather than hinder a more
reliable and permanent remedy"
. Henry White, general secretary of
the United Garment Workers, spoke
VI He oOlutiO1s OILlnQuSCr1al Prob.
lens Thru Associated Action
Henry Whites Speech.
Henry White, secretary Of the
United Garment Workers spoke Of
THE Solution of Industrial Problems
Thru Associated Action" He said:
Might alone will never solve the
It is highly important
where it enables the fellow underneath
to get footing SO that both can fight
on equal terms. The situation would
be improved, as it would result In a
fairer division OF wealth; but it is far
from satisfactory, as there is q state
of war; and even where fighting is not
going on, peace is a sort of armed
truce.
There must be something more than
might sense of fair dealing and
mutual forbearance, If better relations
are to be maintained. Only as people
refrain from taking full advantage Of
all their opportunities, as In the case
of the family or In our dealings with
friends, will we get nearer a solution
and approach real peace"
Thomas r. Woodlock Of New York.
In an address on the financial situa-
ton, declared that indications point
to q reaction in general business.
which while It will not be prolonged
or serious, should nevertheless be
taken into account by the leaders of
associated labor as reason for great
conservatism in dealing with en-
ployers.