The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1903-10-17
THE CIVIC
FEDERATION
Views of Both Sides of the
Labor Question Brought
Out in the Congress

CHICAGO, Oct. 16.-Views by labor
and capital in regard to the open
shop" were again presented today be-
fcre the National Civic Federation,
holding three days conference here.
President Samuel Gompers, of tn.
American Federation of Labor, called
the meeting to order. One of the first
speakers was Henry c. Hunter, chair
man of the Metal Trades Association
of New York. He spoke in opposition
, to the closed shop, on account, as he
said, of the present condition of or
ganiZed labor and the methods pur-
sued by labor organizations for the
accomplishment of their ends. Unions.
he said, assumed to control shop
methods and regulate wages to the
financial loss of employers and disor-
ganization of industry and without
regard to economic conditions.
The speaker spoke of acts of vio-
lence on the part of laborers which he
asserted were done with the knowl-
elge and approval of the union and
appealed to representative leaders to
wipe out these blots.
Mr.. Hunter said the statement which
had been made was taken from New
York paper and that he could not
vcuch for its truth.
Mr.. Frederick Cook of New York
spoke of the Legal Aspect of the Boy
cott."
1t was well worth consideration, he
said, whether any legislation in re-
striction upon boycotting is not an
unconstitutional interference with
the liberty guaranteed by the
fourteenth amendment to the federal
constitution, and by similar provisions
in state constitutions. He referred
to decision of the Missouri supreme
court by which, in view of the con-
stitutional guarantee of freedom OF
speech, an injunction against a boy
colt was denied.
James Duncan, secretary of the
Granite Cutters union, spoke on
Where we Stand" He said in part:
"Distrust and misunderstanding are
the two great disorganizers of mod
erI industry, and as long as the two
great factors, capital and labor, stand
aloof and fire at long range, that long
will indiscriminate and unfriendly
acts be perpetrated by each toward
the other. Trade unionism stands for
peace and prosperity.
2 Except in a few instances where
physical endurance is at stake, or
ganized workers do not limit produc.
ticn. In their collective organization
they declare for a minimum wage rate
and leave the individual to produce
what he can. Too often, however, the
minimum rate in the bargain is con
sidered a maximum rate by the en-
ployer and the public is thereby led
into misconception of conditions ana
trade unionism is again required to
bear burden which should be on the
other fellows shoulders. If law will
continue to tolerate the sweating sys-
tenn, for instance, sapping the vitality
of men, women and children in their
effort to earn mere living, it remains
a practical question if trade unionisn
shout not supply the deficiency as it |
does others, by seeing to it that hui
man beings shall not be treated as
mere machines and be ground TO death /
at the behest of a false commercial |
ISM
Marcus NJ. Mark of New York, in |
discussing THE High Minimum |
Wage" presented these propositions;
First, That yearly agreements |
should, wherever possible, be made be- |
tween employers and wage earners, |
regulating wages, hours and general |
conditions of employment.
Second, That among other condf- |
tions it should be stipulated that there |
be no reduction in piece wage or its |
equivalent in time wages, during the !
term of the agreement That will as
sure workmen that the larger output !
OF the ablest and quickest will NOT
initiate against the interests of the |
others.
Third, That if a minimum wage is
agreed to, the exceptions thereto, shall |
be determined by joint conference
of employer and employee.
MISUNDERSTANDING, he said, the |
cause of the majority of labor troubles |
are usually cleared up at the round |
table and it is here that the pres |
sent practical abuses of the so-calleG |
minimum wage could be removed /
without friction and without detri- |
ment."