Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-17
CIVIC LEAGUE FEAST
LEADERS OF CAPITAL AND
LABOR SIT AT BANQUET.

NEW YORK, December l7.-Peaceful re-
| lations between labor and capital was the
theme tonight at the eighth annual ban
| uet of the National Civil Federation,
whose members. composed of financiers.
employers, labor leaders, publicists and
other prominent citizens. gathered in con-
ference here today to discuss remedies and
legtsla ton for various questions now ef-
fecting the body polite.
The session of the federation yesterday
was given over to the discussion of the
currency question, Andrew Carnegie.
James Speyer. Horace White and Post
their views. Andrew Carnegie declared
that relief must come through asset cur
rency, based on trade bills.
The federation. without committing it
adopted a resolution which provided that
Congress should, after careful considera-
ton, pass as speedily as possible. consist
ent with security and safety. some meas
system greater elasticity, so urgently de-
manded throughout the country. The fed
Grafton will be in session here for two
days.
Leaders Of Labor and Finance.
Leaders of labor and finance. mingled
with representatives from all branches of
human endeavor to the number of over
700, sat down together at the federation
banquet last night at which Geo. w. Per-
kins, the banker: Gen. Frederick D. Grant
and John Mitchell, president Of the Mine
Workers Union spoke. Melville E. In
gals of Cincinnati acted as POSTMASTER,
and called upon Gen. Grant to talk on
the question of abolition of the canteen IN
the army.
Gen. Grant said that while he himself
was a total abstainer. he regarded the
canteen as the lesser of two evils, and
that until the civil authorities closed
vicious resorts near military reservations
he would be an advocate of the eanteen
in the army. Gen. Grant referred to many
advantages attached to the canteen. It's
use as Il clubhouse. its amusements and
promotion of moderation.
John Mitchell was given round Of APP
plause when he rose to speak. He said
he considered it the highest duty Of every
man with the welfare of the country at
heart, to work toward a degree OF peace
and plenty. Mr.. Mitchell said:
John Mitchell's Remarks.
so far as have been able to control
the affairs of my organization, it has been
toward the cause of peace. Happy would
be the day If strikes, lockouts and at
tendant evils were no more. l am not
sure that the time will come in our lives.
But is 1t not better that we sit down and
reason it out and see If reason cannot
take the place of force.
II do not know if the people of New
York realized that two years ago tney
might have had to again undergo the ter
rible times of the coal strike OF 1902. But
that is true. 1t could have happened had
not ten men got together and talked, oper-
ators and workers, as men to men.
II found the operators. when came to
meet them. very different men than had
imagined from the newspapers. or from
Il ~ he no
/ had believed that the representatives. Of
capital were men without any sympathy.
any regard for those whom they en-
ployed. That was before / met them. l
have learned differently since.
And on the other hand, I know en-
ployers who regarded labor leaders a few
years ago as If they were demagogues
who went about the country inducing
ing men and I know they are as true in
purpose and as patriotic as any Of the
men in the country"
Tribute to Mitchell.
George W. Perkins, before speaking Of
the profit sharing plan. paid a tribute to
the character Of Mr.. Mitchell, saying that
made In the relations between capital and
labor in the last five years has been due
more to the standards and work Of Mr..
Mitchell than to any other man.
Mr.. Perkins described in detail the profit
sharing plan Of the steel corporation, how
it worked out and in closing said:
I'm these results Is there not a form of
socialism of the highest. best and most
ideal sort. socialism that makes real
partners of employers and employees and
yet preserves the right of private prop
erty. retaining the capitalists incentive to
enterprise while giving the worker q new
inspiration for effort. humanz1ng a vast
organization. promoting good will and in
dustrial peace?'