The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-10

should be a group, q so-called dfsfnter-
ested group representing the public.
But think we already see, Mr.. Chair
man, that this conference can be brought
to no successful issue II it's business Is
to be conducted by groups, II its opinions
are to be recorded by groups.
The fact is that the speech just made
by Mr. Gompers shows that labor IL here
to contend within the conference for
what are called the rights of labor; and
there have occurred many indications
already, not in public but in private
meetings, that there Is a large group OF
employers here who are prepared to re-
sist the methods of approach to the
business here, which we have heard
proposed this morning, by the group OF
labor. There Is a conflict on already {;
and among all the propositions that
have been submitted to this conference
this morning, there are several which
relate, not to new relations between
capital and labor, but to the old, to the
former conditions of things in this coun-
try. in regard to industrial strikes to
the strengthening of the modes of COM
bat with which our whole community
has now become familiar.
II venture TO suggest. Mr.. Chairman,
that the conference ought to make new
start IL they are going to bring to pass
any substantial results in creating new
relations between capital and labor. ]
dlstrust the group method because 1t
, obviously promotes, at any rate, COM
bats over old conditions and over pres
emit conditions
Doubts wisdom of Action.
For example, one of the propositions
just submitted in the name of the labor
group here relates to present con-
troversy, an industrial controversy go
ing on. Can we hopefully go into such
a question as that in this conference
We are all, we must assume. clearly
DESTROYS of finding new and better rela-
! lions between capital and labor. Should
we discuss here either of the present
disputes? 1 thoroughly agree with the
last speaker in stating that we do need
a new method OF operation in this con-
ference, namely, the presenting OF topics
for discussion which are really new, not
old. l do not mean that these topics
should relate to things wholly untried,
| but they should all relate to new pro-
| cesses, developments, actions In the in
dustries of this country, and in the mode
Of management"
McNab concurred with DR.. Eliot and
with Mr.. Spargo, but supported Mr..
Gompers In the declaration that to fac
tionalize the conference would mean no
pr ogress. He opposed adjournment, say
ing that progress lay in keeping to-
gether in united action, and submitted
| 4 proposal for an immediate report by
the general committee on some of the
| matters pending.
Mr.. Wheeler explained the delay In
the employers section, saying It's men,
bers could not get together. Paul Feiss
| challenged the method OF employers
procedure. and that of labor, saying that
| they were working for united group ap-
prevail OF resolutions. while the under
| standing was that the resolutions were
to be individual, but not presented with
out the assent OF the group.
| Sheppard Opposed to Delay.
1t was then Mr.. Sheppard challenged
those that held back labor He made II
plain at the outset that he was speak
ing for himself and not for the group.
| "All through its history labor has
heard that cry: Let's take more time, -
he opened. AN eminent gentleman has
recently been quoted - regard to the
steel strike: Let matters take Their
course. Always when labor has power
to enforce its right it is implored &c
wait.
When labor was feeble and impotent
representatives of the public were no,
always so anxious about taking time
as they seem to be now. When labo,
was defeated, time after time. we didn't
hear much protest about the loss anf
Inconvenience of the public Now tina
labor Is beginning to win everybody 1.
| beginning to discover that the nuh,II
right Is paramount
| Il wonder II the gentlemen 4, ~,
middle and on the left know what deIa,
means to us. Scores of strike order,