New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-16

lanes Wallace Van Cieave. former presi-
ssr- Of the National Association of Manu-
s.-.r-e-s. vas the central figure in a long
,sesf struggle with labor unions It was as
result CT a boycott against his company.
- Bucks Stove and Range Company. of
: Louis. that Samuel GOmpers. John Nit
.ssu and William Morrison, president. vice
PRESIDENT and secretary of the American
Federation Of Labor. were sentenced to jail
.o- contempt Of court for violating an in
enction secured from the Supreme Court
;, Mr.. Van Cieave's company
Bonn n Marion County. Ky. on July l5.
7sae Young Van Cleave joined the Confed-
crate army when only thirteen years of age.
he went into the stove business IN 1867, and
advanced in il untIl he became president Of
the Bucks Stove and Range Company
Eary In MS career as a manufacturer he
cane cut strongly in favor Of the open shop
he became president of the National
Manufacturers Association in 1906 and on
lis election declared thai the associat ton
would SPEND s1,50O.000 1T the ensuing three
years in a vigorous and scientific battle
against strikes. bovcotts, Tire closed shop.
the restriction Of apprentices and what he
called 'the foiies and vices Of labor unions
ard ryrannicaI and unpatriotic practices Of
ezu expression. he fought with an axe"
against both the labor unions and the
trusts, though he declared that both kinds
o. organization could do much good il they
adhered 70 their announced principles.
HIS attitude received the commendation
Of the association, and when he retired from
the presidency OF the Manufacturers Asso-
cistion last year, his colleagues presented
hin with q check for $4,000 as a token
Of Their appreciation and approval
Tribute of Successor.
John Kirby. jr-. president of the National
Association OF Manufacturers. which will
begin irs fifteenth annual convention at the
Waidorf-Astoria to-day, gave out the fol-
lowing statement last evening on the death
e. ~. Van Cleave:
The news Of Mr.. Van Clesve's death.
coming a Il does on the eve of the fifteenth
annual convention OF the association which
he loved so well, and in whose interest he
worked 50 hard and at such a sacrifice, is a
direct shock.
Nr. Van Cleave, in his grea tness Of char
sCleT and in his charming personality. was
= man whose ross will h feIr NOT only nv
his legion Of friends in our associat ton. but
b the entire business interests Of the coun-
~. L Is not too much 10 say that he died
MARTYR 10 his duty and practically SacTi-
feed his life for the benefit Of the American
eHfloTe as well as the American employer.
L1. Z an Cleave vas more than an average
citizen Of this Rspublic-he was man Of
Inc perception, OF sterling honesty. Of big
ness OF soul and OF intellect beyond the
hrssdth demanded in the average channels
OF business.
When he first became the president OF
The National Association OF Manufacturers
= --6 he was practically unknown IN the
led q what was called business politics
H had long been z member of the associa-
non. and his counsel was sought and vel
coined. but II was not until he took up the
Tei1s OF office that we Of the association
appreciated his really great character.
rs nen Mr.. Van Cleave assumed Office the
business interests Of the country were lust
beElnntnE 10 realize that conditions. poiit-
a2-al and economic, demanded 2 unity Of
purpose ana unity Of action II was
tine when q leader was needed. and
I " Van Cleave became that leader. In
nm were fully developed the chara cter-
lsilrs which made leaders Of such men as
Warrington, Lincoln and Grant.
Fight Against Boycott.
Re early appreciated the IN Arnericanism
II the boycott form Of tyranny which
has been condemned IN every country and
by every right-H1fnded citizen. It was
Necessary IN combating this tyranny 70 Sc
lecr another industrial plant 10 bear with
th7t OF .. Z JoeWe. Of Danburv the bur
zen e. ne night; there was no hesitancy
OF ~. an -Cte2ve's part, and when the
OCCASION arose and the Buck Stove and
Range Company became the object OF la
/ ecr's attack he Immediately volunteered
Er1self and his business interests
Nj an Cleave vas no hateT of persons.
5ie was more than employer 70 his men:
vas friend. His concentration of
lln0ple was as intense as his hatred of
,.kews-n policy and wabbling expediency-
AalantlE he fought for industrial freedom
and 1rave'v he died for the cause Of right
eq1enesS and justice. He was intoerant OF
shame restless at injustice of all kinds, a
lghter for truth
Pra ctl-aIly TWO years ago. in September
IS in an article published IN american
i!orstrtes, afr Van CIeave made this pro-
5lferc statement. showing his grasp of af-
lalrs political and economic:
n the DAYS when the older readers of
american Industries were boys or young
IIti, ne great issues were largely pafri-
QUO and sentimental, and made an appeal
- ~ cluzens alike. They related first 70
I.aEerE- then TO the preservation of the
I mon. ana lafer 10 the granting or the re
-lss- 10 grant the ballot 10 the negro All
! These issues have been settled To-daz's
e4eSdons ~ national SCOPE are chiefly
! e1!or11C- IN them the business men. as
s-eH- have q direct and special concern.
Issues Before Country.
Let Us call the roll Of some of the issues
eeslth with in the platform OF the Chicago
eecpllou o. 2 currency system which will
-espono 10 al the countTy's needs and an
aIaencmeut 20 the interstate commerce law
rs WHICH would give the Interstate
1oalIierce Commission increased powers Of
80 lslan ever the methods Of the rail-
aus extension Of the EMPLOYERS liability
% conservation OF the country's' natural
-.s2erces and the creation Of an adequate
4allo1al marine
.ls comprises more than three-fourths
- tlr important subjects for which legis-
s-9A j demanded by the two leading par
ieF are economic questions. Direct
~ indirectly. each If them makes a di-
-. appeal 10 the business man For their
= -.aee understanding a great zeal Of con-
mus -5sols study OF the great questions Is
:, would ike 10 see every business man
,i,i e country study al the great questions
v.t5a. On open mind ana support a party
Il 49, seems 10 him to be willing and able
~ "a most easily with them. regardless
Us nam which the party hears. All Of
fr- seeking or should seek the truth.
e1a5 t9ef Is or ought 10 be. the greatest
- ~, - tae greatest number. In that poi
-sresx Is TIE country's prosperity or prog
Ed nj was two years ago As the time
-.1jor = "a for holding our present conven-
~ g found MIN lying upon what proved
- the Us oeathbed- In transmitting 70 me
fs-'{518l OF ms committee. received only
v-liL 4Vurs ago. he dictated q letter from
CIe.- quote z sentence showing Mr.. an
tpbso..s character. ability. grasp OF pupIlc
rsfS So and love % his fellow man de
lsf 1. BsEL and these were practically ms
Principle Won"
Liam nsfe regularly attended every conven-
fset,,-. me National Association or Manu-
ViA since the memorable meeting Ia