The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-12-17
sTRIKEs " ARBITRATION

61hlhES vs.. An 44ON
Tbs lectures of Massrs. Hughes and
Muudella, recently delivered at Cooper
Institute, TO which reference has al.
ready been made ID our columns, have
attracted a deal OF attention among
large class Of our citizens who are
anxious that Cooperation and Arbitra-
ton should have as fair a test IN Amer
lea as they have had in Great Britain,
believing that equally beneficial results
will follow from their adoption in the
new world as has already crowned
their efforts in the Old. With this de-
sire We heartily sympathise, knowing of
no reason why their auticipations may
not be realized.
How to bring about this desirable
state Of affairs, is the grand desideratutn,
consequently every suggestion bearing
on these subjects possesses an especial
interest, when given in the right spirit,
and with desire To accomplish these
results. The error of both the gentle
men alluded to lay in the assumption
that in every instance a strike is indie
tensible, aud that arbitration will iuva-
riably prove effective, and redress the
wrong complained Of, to all of which
we take exception.
But to bring the subject to a practi-
cal test, let us suppose a case, which
every trades .uniOnist in the country
can testify j. far from being an excep-
tional one,-and ask both Messrs
Hughes and Mundella " hat redress the
aggrieyed party have, outside of a
strike? A reduction of wages is de-
clded on in certain branch Of bnsi-
ness,or 10 a factory in which five or six
hundred operatives are engaged. As
a matter Of course the wishes or neces-
stiles Of the employed have never been
consulted, the lpse DIRT OF the EN-
ployers having been deemed sufficient
TO command an acquiesence. The very
suggestion Of acqualnting these most
deeply interested in the reduction, with
the reasons which prompted it, would
be treated with contempt, and would
not be tolerated for a moment. The
operators, as a matter Of course, see
ing no necessity for such action, and
knowing that every dollar of their in
come is required to make both ends
meet--very naturally object to such
One-sided arrangement A conference
is held-and after consultation a com
mittee is appointed to wait on the firm
and inform them that if their terms are
insisted on, strike is inevitable.
What is the consequence? In ninety
nine times out Of hundred the com
mittee is brusquely dismissed, and in
formed that such conduct is deemed a
piece of unwarrantable impertinence
that the firm has no intention Of con
sulting the wishes Of its employees, that
those who do'not wish to accept the
terms can leave, and that the intruders
may consider themselves dhscharc-
ed. A strike ensues; the situation is
discussed, and the question of ar1ttra-
don-the grand panacea--is suggested
and adopted. Several prominent %
citizens are waited on, made acquaint-
ed with the situation and their good
services invoked, with what effect
The proposition is secuted. "NO-no
gentlemen, is the response. "Messrs
-, know their own business best;
We have no object in interfering so you
mnst settle your own disputes" But.
suppose the committee succeeds in Sc
curing the services Of friend, what
then? The arbitrator is as curly receiv- |
cd as the committee, and given to under
stand there smoothing to arbitrate about;