The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
Former Made Plea for Harmony and
the Latter Served N Warming
on Employers.
WAGES MUST NOT BE REDUCED
IF FINANCIAL DEPRESSION CONES,
THE LABOR LEADER SAID.
"Open- shop Question Discussed
Much Good Expected as a Result
OF the Conference.

CHICAGO, Oct ia warning to capital
against cutting wages. If financial depres-
sion comes. By resident Gompers, of the
American Federation Of Labor, and plea
for harmony between employers and toll
ers by Senator Hanna were made at the
closing session of the National Civic Fed
GRAFTON conference to-day.
Mr.. Gompers had listened to the argu-
ment OF the representatives Of capital and
labor, who had come from various parts or
the country to discuss questions that would
aid in bringing them closer together. 1t
was IN reply to one OF the speakers, the
editor Of a New York paper, who at the
session the day before took occasion to tell
the employers and employees in the event of
a possible financial reaction, not to make
any unreasonable demands upon the en-
ployers that Mr.. Gompers spoke of the
harm that would follow any attempt TO
lower wages.
Mr.. Gompers argued against views OF
freedom and individualism expressed by
some at the conference and replied to the
address presented by Marcus NJ. Marks re-
grrding the minimum, denouncing certain
manufacturers. He replied TO L. +. Wood
lock- q New York editor, who. in an adj
dress said that because OF the reaction in
business now confronting the country labor
should make no unreasonable demands upon
the employer. He said: IF the time comes
to suggest the advisability Of the employer
TO cutting or making any attempt to cut
wages II will be disputed by us. We will
not let that go easily. We will make
stand against ii, not alone because 1T is
uneconomic and unwise, but because 1t sim
ply accentuateS the Industrial Crisis ana
gives IL greater strength" Labor, Mr..
Gompers said, asks no special privileges
nor immunity from laws, but labor objects
10 De singled out when laws are made TO
apply to It and to no other individuals or
aggregation Of individuals.
OPEN SHOP OPPOSED.
Successful arbitration, Mr.. Gompers said,
was impracticable unless the employers are
strong and workmen organized and pre-
pared to defend the stand they may take.
He discussed the charge that organized
labor was taking advantage of too many
things to secure the best possible condi-
tons obtainable. He said that was not what
organized labor believed should be done,
but what was wanted was improved condi-
lions, saying that II wanted to get more
and more out OF the great production of the
wealth OF the world 10 which the working
''open" shop, and compared the closed
shop to organizations, societies and prores-
sions, which he said bar persons objection
able to them.
Mr.. Gompers took exception to the coup
ling OF the term boycott and bludgeon as
weapons OF labor. which were mentioned
by a speaker yesterday.
ct may sound" he said, very nicely as
an ALTERATION, but as a matter Of fact IL
does not exist won't pretend TO say that
there has not ever been a union man who
has raised his hand against another or
against a nonunion man, but the bludgeon.
attacks and violence are not the weapons
OF trades unionism, and too frequently do
we find Ii. like the provoking agent en-
ployed In France during the last Napo-
Icons time 10 create disorder and to put
his government. So do we find that often
the agents OF some employers association
are at work among striking workingmen
and creating diScord and trouble and strife
and violence, for which the organization
OF labor must bear the brunt. The boycott
Tsks r. that there are Some ladies and
gentlemen in this hall to-day who would
disavow that they ever boycotted, but they
did, all the same. and they do, socially
financially, and in a business way, and in
every other way that is right, proper and
moral We propose to stand by our friends
and help our friends in preference to those
who have their hands always raised
against US"
MR.. HANNA's REMARKS.
Ex-Judge Waterman, OF the local branch
OF the Federation. introduced Senator
Hanna, the president OF the National Civic
Federation. Mr.. Hanna spoke of the i'm
portance Of the work engaged in and the
success of bringing together capital and
labor which at first seemed to him impos-
sible. Much. he said, was due to the con-
servative element OF labor organizations
i4e expressed hope for the future and said
that members OF the Federation who at
rain nf RI inf 4 he
most active workers. Since his connection
with an Ohio strike thirty years ago, he
said. ne mao mace up MS mlnd there was
a way TO settle differences. The future of
success in the industrial world, the senator
said, would be largely guided by the Civic
FEDERATION movement, which was started
here four years ago. The duty OF employ
ers was greater than that OF employees
and the work of Cancellation was the great
work to be done. In all great difficulties
POLITICAL and otherwise. compromise is the
only thing 10 bring success.
The work OF the federation is, he said
work or education, and he added that
patience Is required in the work for the
good OF our Iellow-men individually and
Tor society as a whole. Future success in
maintaining Industrial success wag a
greater matter than the question OF who
IS the next President. Captains OF industry,
he said. and the other side were only too
willing TO learn from teachers who have
had experience. DiStrust preached by la
Dor leaders, he declared TO be an unfair
proposition. There is not, he said. any
real difference that cannot be settled. but
fair dealing was necessary. He referred
10 the wastefulnesS OF strikes and lock-
outs. and the effect they lad on capital
and labor and how aid in the movement OF
the federation could help all.
Labor leaders and employers believe that
the conferences has done much in bringing
the wage Garner and the capitalist together
az an effort to establish more harmonious
relations. and they expressed qualification
at what they regarded as a right step to-
ward this direction.
After the business session OF the day n
banquet at which Senator Hanna, Pres
ident Gompers. members OF the federation.
leading business men and labor leaders
were present, was held.
CRIPPLE CREEK STRIKE.