The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-04
ENJOY SELVES AND
DISCUSS LABOR
PROBLEMS
COMMISSIONER MEETING IN
CONVENTION HAVE MIXED PRO-
GRAM OF WORK AND PLEASURE
MANY STATES REPRESENTED

Need OF further federal legislation
by which labor troubles OF an inter
state nature can be settled will be one
OF the topics discussed In the conven-
ton OF labor commissioners which be-
gan yesterday In the Hotel Cadillac.
Most Of the states of the union are
represented In this gathering. and
there Is also representation from the
federal department of commerce and
labor. The badges worn by the dele
gates bear q portrait OF Carol d
Wright. chief Of the governments
labor bureau.
In the opening session, Monday after
noon, speeches OF welcome were made
by Gov. Fred M. Warner and Mayor
| w. B. Thompson. Charles p. Neil, OF
Washington, who was to have made
the response. did not arrive in time
and a brief address was made by Sec
rotary w. l.. A. Johnson, Of Kansas
G. L. Dougherty. Of Oklahoma, Is
the newest labor commissioner.
I'VE have comparatively few indus.
ftrial troubles now, az ours Is largely
an agricultural state" he says. Our
constitution provides for arbitration
of disputes, however, and this will
prove we'll in the future, as our op
portunities for manufactures are such
as to make the state great industrial
center In time to come.
I'VE have had comparatively little
labor trouble since the eight-years
miners strike which was won by the
miners"
c. B. Penman, OF Scranton, Pa,
bears the cheering tidings that there
is no likelihood OF trouble In the coal
districts soon, as the miners agree
ment reaches until next April. Men
have been falling away from the min
ers' unions. he says, but are being
brought back into line.
I'VE have the strongest eight-hour
organization In the world" says t.
J. Lyons, OF Augusta. Me-, who was
granite cutter before he became a
state Official Every granite cutter
from the Golden Gate to the Passama.
quoddy works eight hours day and
no more"
The labor commissioner took n
trolley ride Monday evening, and on
Tuesday they will listen to an address
on The labor commissioners audi
ence," by Prof. Carl e. Parry, of the
University of Michigan. They will
take an auto ride about the city Tues
day afternoon. Wednesday s. N. d.
North. of Washington, will speak on
THE scope of the thirteenth federal
census" The guests will then take
launch ride to one Of the up-river
resorts, stopping for an inspection Of
Parke. Davis & Co.'S plant.
One Of the early corners was John
Lundregan, OF New York, arbitration
commissioner
I'VE have found mediation very sue
cessful In labor disputes In New York, .
he says. This law has been in effect
for three years now. and We have
found our greatest progress In estab-
fishing local boards OF arbitration. In
the metropolitan district there have
been comparatively few labor disputes
recently. Each trade union has its
permanent arbitration officers, and so
has each employers association. These
meet when any matter Is TO be settled
and, II they cannot settle 1t, an UNI
pire is called In whose decision is
final.
THE first thing In arbitration Of
labor disputes Is to recognize the
principle OF organization on both sides.
The next thing Is to get the parties
together, when they usually recognize
that the intention on both sides Is to
be fair and reasonable. Men meet and
smooth out their misunderstanding,
then the rest Is easy.
THE employers Of the metropolitan
district have done wisely In selecting
Sam Donnelly, prominent as a labor
man. as their permanent secretary.
This assures fairness.
Lack of confidence by one side or
the other ID the chief cause OF strikes.
1t Is hard to settle strikes once start
ed. as compared with clearing away
differences before labor warfare has
really begun. So much has been ac-
complished In the last three years,
however, that we feel assured Of even
greater success.
Cooperation between the state bur-
eaus and the national government Is
the question now"
Other labor officials who came In
early were: Charles F. Gettamy, of
Boston; Chas. j. Fox. Of Baltimore,
and James B. Doherty. OF Richmond,
Va. State Labor Commissioner Nal.
colin J. Mcleod was busy welcoming
new arrivals, and he was ably assist
ed by Chas. II. Johnson and John J..
knight.