Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-17

the buyer. 1t is invaluable. saws tha
seller. ana III one point of view the
workman sells labor and the emrloye,
buys. 1t is wholesome that capital
should be made to pay we'll for IaDor
ana 70 pay very high for it when prof
IT'S are hlSh and it is inevitable that
We must not expect. neither be alarmed
ut repeated demands and repeated re-
| iections from both EMPLOYERS and en-
ployGs from time to time. These are
healthy signs. What the Civic Fedora
ton should aim at is that strikes or
lockouts should be prevented and for
those | can see no cure so effective as
trade agreement providing for arbi-
tr"tion. after every effort has been ex-
haUFted to settle the difference by the
| employer and his men themselves. as
friends cooperating in a vast enter
prise to whose success both must con-
tribute and in the prosecution of
which capital ana labor are not foes
but allies.
| would not call these conferences
ended between employers and en-
ployes until not one ray of hope exist
ed. tor employer and employed agree
ing between themselves is the best
proof of mutual respect, esteem, yes
and of REIMBURSEMENT foundation of all
upon which any enterprise can rest
The employer who does not estimate
the cordial corporation of employees,
because their hearts are with him, as
worthy a very considerable advance in
WAGES does not share my opinion.
Gentlemen. the most cheering fea-
in hn al. r,y, Al l.,
boz is that there seems a law at work
which rejects the extreme men of both
employers and employees and slowly
evolves the reign of The fair-minded
element which continually makes for
industrial peace The mission of our
Federation is to bring these together
in friendly conference and prove to
them that there are always two sides
to aU disputes and also many kindred
virtues and an earnest desire for har-
mOnY upon both sides; that there arc
fair employers as there are fair work
men. and that it is a bad day for both
capital and labor when they fail to set
tie themselves peacefully any dispute
that arises between them.
Archbishop Ireland was then intro
Iuccd. He said in part:
II have supreme faith in America
and if any social question cannot be
solved in America, despair Of its solu-
ton anywhere
Two things needed most for the 50
luton of oar problems are Intelligent
and sympathy for one another 1t is
the duty of the richer and mre power
full elements Of sn"i " to reduce the
Ia E al h.,
the country, to study in every way to
give eVery willing man the means OF
earning with honor. an honest Hveli-
hood
At the close of Archbishop Ireland's
speech. August Belmont was introduce
-. He testified to the efficacy Of face
to face conferences with honorable en-
iA-c> and the absolute necessity Of
fidelity to contracts.
Jnnn Mitchell, president Of the init
ed Mine Workers Of America, spok.
briefly on The labor situation.
"T believe it is bnttnr to talk for. a
week than to strike for a year" he
said.
Il hop" that the time Will never come
wien mon Will cearr to strike 1 be-
lic.-e the best way Ia establish peace
is to fight. But I don't believe that
strikes, locl:outs. b!acklists or boycot;s
should eyer be allowed where there IS
Il cl';.noe for pnace.'
President Eliot Of Harvard spo,<.
briefly.
Others who spoke were p. IT. Morris
scy, Grand master Of the brotherhood
If Trainmcn; James A. Kilbourn of
columbus, o.; Henry Phpps AMI
Francis L. Robbins