Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-12
Says Representatives Of Both Sides Showed
Spirit of Concession.
las STRONG HOPES OF ARBITRATION
No Agreement Reached, but Discussion has
Laid the Foundation.
TEXT SESSION MAY BRING IT ABOUT
Expresses Hope Men May Return 90
Work Pending the Arbitration if
such Adjustment ia
Decided ON.


Il believe the worst is over and that the
labor problem in Omaha will be solved by
arbitration" said Governor Mickey last
night after meeting committees from the
Business Mems association and the organ
lied labor forces at the Millard hotel. The
| conference began about 5 O'Clock and ad-
journed shortly before midnight. The COM
mittees were composed Of these members;
For the Business Mems sAssociation-Eucl
Martin, f. e. Bruce, w. 8. Wright, J. A.
Sunderland, ]. f. Carpenter. A. =. Smith
and I. ]. Mahoney.
For the Union Men-L v. Guye, &. Z.
| Hart. q. w. Miles, w. II. Bell, w. IL.
Moore, J. e. Crews and 7. w. Mccullough.
| Mr.. Martin and Mr. Guye are the respec-
| tive chairmen.
! Mayor Moores sat throughout the confer
ence, but took no active part.
| While not productive Of final results, the
conference enabled free and frank dis
cussion of the issues between employer and
employe and was devoid Of any unpleasant
features. 1t was the frst time that tho
respective sides had come together in this
relation since the strikes began and tho
general feeling was that It served an excel
lent purpose in giving each side bettor
| and clearer understanding of the others
case. Another meeting is to be held, sub
| ject to the call OF the two chalrmen. All
| of the proceedings last night were recorded
! by a stenographer, that they may be
available for future use in further plans
and efforts to bring about a settlement Of
the strike. The joint committee decided to
leave 1t to the governor to make the state
ment to the press. Accordingly the gov
ernor gave out this verbal statement:
Statement by Governor.
''The situation was generally and thor
oughly discussed. All the members Joined
In the debate, which was animated at times,
but never acrimonious, and always fraught
| with a deep earnestness and desire to get
at the facts and a clear mutual under
| standing. The spirit of cuncillation pre-
| vailed. 1 am convinced that both sides are
eager for a settlement Of this strike; that
both sides as represented at this conference
did their utmost TO present the case fairly
and fuliyj that no one sought 70 prejudice
the other sioe'e case and take any sort of
unfair advantage. Each showed a willing
ness TO make some concessions. With this
attitude manifest the part Of the en-
ployer and employe l see no reason what
ever to prevent them from getting together
and adjusting every difference, thus AFFORD
ing an early and satisfactory settlement
OF the strike, which has become SO serious.
IL was apparent throughout the conference
that no one desired to hold back any fact
which was thought might throw light upon
the situation and facilitate arbitration.
Arbitration. i am glad to say, will. in
my opinion be the ultimate means and
basis of settlement, think can safely
say this from the results OF tonisht's meet
ing, and | want to tell you that II affords
me great pleasure and satisfaction to be
able to say It, / said the other day when
was up here and met your citizens that this
was too serious thing not to arbtrate.
OF course we all understand that the real
issue is recognition Of the unions, and for
my part certainly do not think that
agreement on that point is by any means
: impossible. on the other hand, feel GER
tain that It is an eminent probability. In
fact, the employers are willing to recognize
the unions. The only difficulty Is as TO the
details of recognition, or probably might
say the powers to be ascribed to the unions.
But those minor matters can be adjusted
after the fundamental principle has been
accepted. 1t is a big thing Of course. and
requires time to settle, but we must be
patient and forbearing with each other and
try to see that each side has rights that
must be respected.
II am glad to note on the part OF both
sides a disposition to ascribe sincere mo-
r tives to each other. II IL only In that way
that we can hope for any good results.
a
'As l said. think we will get to arbitra-
ton. Probably at the next meeting. or 1
will say possibly at that meeting, for
! don't want TO assume anything on my own
account a basis OF settlement along that
line may be agreed on. ] think when we
} get that far an agreement also will be
! reached for the union men to return to
work pending the final settlement. OF
course nothing was done as to this to-
night, but the sentiment seems TO warrant
that hope or anticipation at least For my
part / feel the deepest interest in the
affair and am at the service OF the COM
: mittees whenever they want me. shall
do ali in my power 10 effect peace and har-
. mony."
No one else besides the governor made
any statement regarding the progress OF
affairs A number Of the committee did
: take occasion. however to express their
! kindly feeling and admiration for the stand
the governor has taken and his general
!. attitude and conduct.
I'VE all know that Governor Mickey
heart is in the work." said a committee.
man; that he is just as deeply and earn
| estly interested In bringing about a settle
ment as any one can be. He has shown
that from every word and act. He has
!. typihed the IDEAL governor, the ofncial head
OF the state in his course thus far and we
" have every confidence In him TO the end"
v The meeting, though necessarily long and
. tedious, broke up with the best OF feeling
among the respective representatives and
n from these general outward indications the
public is given additional hope and con-
: firmation of the governors antieipations
n for an early termination OF this grievous
!, problem.
Governor Mickey will return TO Lincoln
v today.
, Evidence of Interest.
: There could be no more certain evidence
n OF the wide and general interest IN the
= present labor troubles than the number OF
inauiriee made of the papers last night
l. concerning the outcome OF the conference
n al the Millard hotel with Governor Mickey
From 1880 until I o'clock this morning
~ The Bees telephone was ringing almost