The New York herald., 1877-07-28
Arbitration and Other Means to Pre-
vent Strikes.

of the important roads on which strikes oc-
Cured; the Baltimore and Ohio managers
are in conference with their strikers with o
prospect, we may hope, of friendly settle
ment and Mr. Scott has promised his men
that if they will go to work, after all trains
are running he will hold a conference with
them to discuss their grievances. II the
men are sensible they will agree to this
Nothing can be gained by them by con-
tinuance of course clearly unlawful and
criminal-the blockading of trains, namely.
If they do not want to work for the Pennsyl-
vania road any longerthat is their affair. In
that case let them 60 OFF; but let them not
further interrupt traffic.
Meantime, it is q good sign to see work.
| ingmen's representatives and committees
themselves urging the formation OF COM
mittees of arbitration to hear the complaints
of operatives and the rejoinders Of en-
p1oyers. Mr.. p M. Arthur, who is the
Chief of the Locomotive Engineers Broth
erhood, in letter to the HERALD yesterday,
went SO far as to ask for "a law compelling
the submission of all disputes between en-
ployes and employers to board of arbitra-
tion, whose decision should be binding
and fnal;" and he regards this as
'the only true and proper method
of settling differences and avoiding
strikes" Mr.. Arthur speaks, it seems to
us, somewhat over-confdently Of the precise
measure he proposes. The question of such
courts of arbitration has been carefully dis
in Tn hos haau nd
that to establish by law tribunals having
power to compel compliance with their de-
cisions would probably satisfy neither side to
dispute. 1t seems to us tar BETTER because
easier, that employers and their workmen
should come to an understanding that where
there are disputed questions which cannot
he settled by mutual discussion and concert,
before q strike or lockout" is begun
these matters shall be laid before board Of
arbitators to be chosen by both parties.
We suspect that when the disagreement
cannot be ended by fair and friendly DIS
cussion between the employers and the en-
ployed arbitrators will have only o mod
crate chance Of restoring harmony. Their
usefulness would consist largely in prolong-
ing the discussion, and thus giving better
opportunity to both sides for reflection. 1t
is our impression, too, that strikes or lock-
outs will rarely take place where the en-
ployers and their workmen are sensible
enough to think of submitting their dis
putes to arbitrators. A deadlock is hardly
ever brought about except by unreasonable
and obstinate men, either employers or
employed. A deadlock is blunder
wise and moderate men do not fall
into it, because they remember that it
satisfactory arrangement. We may as well
add also as we are discussing proposition
Of Mr.. Arthur's, who represents the railroad
strikers, that he has not, SO tar as we have
been able to learn, disapproved or set his
influence against the unlawful course of the
strikers in blockading trains. We wish he
would inform the public whether; on his
theory of strikes, such conduct is legiti-
mate. If he thinks it is, then plainly he
has yet good deal to learn about working
mems rights, and he is very unfit to be their
leader. If he disapproves Of these acts, then
it is much to be regretted that he did not
say SO in the beginning OF this strike.
The thoughtful part of the public is of
opinion that this great family quarrel be-
tween the railroad managers and their work.
men ought to have been avoided, and might
have been if the proper relations between
employers and employed had been main
tanned with sufficient care. We do not in
the least mean to excuse the unlawful con-
duct Of the strikers when we say that the
strike is reproach to the managers of the
lines on which it broke out so virulentiy.
The commander of an army would be
thought a weak and incapable man
if his army should surprise him by mu-
tinying against him. 1t is part of
his duty, and very important part, to know
something of the temper Of his men, to be
familiar with their lives, to know whether
the ey are nursing grievances well or i'll
founded. As he expects them to march and
drill and fight with alacrity and spirit, SO,
if lie is a wise general, he seeks to remedy
their real grievances to make them under
stand the situation and to inspire them with
good and loyal feelings. In doing all this
an able general does not pamper or indulge
his men; on the contrary, he may be a mar
tinet, and he is very sure to be a man re-
qniring the rigid performance of every duty
from his subordinates.
Now, the president or manager of great
railroad is in the position of the commander
of an army he controls the labor of great
number of workmen for a great variety of
purposes; he is put in charge Of them by
the stockholders in the enterprise, with
the belief that he has the ability to make
use of this labor for the best advantage in
the campaign or adventure on which they
are embarked. 1t seems to us clear that he
is not merely to get the most work for the
least money; he must, to be successful, get