Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-29
ARBITRATION AND CoNorLIA-
TON.

. IL - gfdtllylhs W AnN sHNf -
TO the differences existing between the
manufacturers and operatives Of our
city upon the rate OF wages, they have
not followed the example Of some other
localities. They have not considered 1t
TO be their duty 10 at once become
sulky and defiant. They have not gone
into secret meetings and passed resolu-
tons, each notifying the other that no
concessions would be made. There has
been no bluff or buster in the action OF
our men as yet, but on the contrary
they have simply done what all sensible
men would say is the only thing to be
done, and that is, to ask for conference
with their employees.
Such action promises not only peace
ful solution Of the matters at issue, but
a continuance of cordial relations be-
tween employers and employed, as well
as a continued production OF our staple
manufactures and the welfare of the
large army of workmen who are DEEPEN
dent upon the industries OF our city for
support.
While this action, as far as it goes, is
subject for congratulation, it suggests
the propriety and the possibility OF in
augurating right here in Wheeling an
established and permanent basis or plan
for the settlement OF these questions as
they arise from time to time. The spirit
with which our manufacturers and
operatives come together would seemto
make it quite possible for them to set on
foot the plan so much discussed and
that has been so successful in the man
uiacturing centers OF Europe, OF estab-
fishing courts of arbitration composed
of both the employers and employees.
These industrial questions will arise
and they demand at times, as seems to
be the case at present, immediate settle
ment. There are but two methods as
vet discovered by which they are deter
mined, strikes and lOckOuts, or arbitra-
ton and Cancellation. The former may
not always be avOidable or unjustitiable,
butthey are certainly always to be avoid
ed and can hardly be justified without
great provOcation. The principle of ar
bitration, however, has everything in
its favor tits already adopted in many
branches OF business. Arbitration
clauses are Incorporated in articles OF
partnership, in policies OF insurance, in
leases, in building contracts, and why
may they not with greater propriety be
adopted 10 avoid the most serious and
expensive resorts of strikes and lock-
outs?
A short time ago this question of in
dustrial arbitration was ably discussed
and illustrated in its working from the
systems in vogue in England and
France, by JOS. ID. WEEKS, of the Iron
igg in an address delivered before the
Chamber OF Commerce at Pittsburgh.
Several thousand copies of the address
were ordered printed and distributed for
the benefit OF the iron manufacturers.
From this address We learn that these
courts OF arbitration as they exist abroad
are composed of an equal number OF
employer and wOrkingmen members,
each class electing its own representa-
tiyes. The authority Of these councils
extends to every conceivable question
that can arise in the workshop.
Arbitration is compulsory upon the
application of either, on any question
that may arise, and it is a power to
which either party can appeal without
pride or shame, and whose decisions are
received without exultation or humilia-
ton.
To show what arbitration and con-
citation have accomplished the address
proceeds as follows:
No severer test Of the value of arbi-
tratiOn and Cancellation can be found
than in the circumstances accompany
ing its workings in the North of England
manufactured iron trade. This trade,
including that of the Cleveland dis
trict, began to assume importance as
recently as in 1860. For ten years its
growth was marvellous, and at the end
OF this time it rivalled many and sur
passed most of the older Centers of
English iron manufacture. This won
derful growth, at time when other
districts were increasing, created 4 de-
manl for labor that could not be met
| from the ranks Of those already skilled
| in the various processes Of iron manu-
| facture, and wOrkmen were drawn from
all classes and grades of labOrers. The re-
suit was most Heterogeneous collection
of workmen. There were no ties of
! friendship or locality. There were none
| of those attachments that long COM
paniOnShip causes men 10 form among
! themselves and for theiremployers, and
even for the very tools with which they
work. Endless disputes followed. Sus-
piciOn was the prevailing sentiment of
the wOrkmen for the employers, and
these had but little sympathy for their
employees. Strikes must result from
such a state of things. In 1866 the
works were stopped six months, and in
the end nothing was settled except that
capital could hold out longer than labor.
From this time until the winter OF 1869
there were repeated reductionsin wages,
and the outlook was that when the time
came the men would be slow TO
take advantage. Happily, however,
trouble was avoided, and IN May, 1869,
a board was formed, and from that time
there has not been a general strike in
this district. Under the action of this
! Board, pudding advanced to Is shil-
ings pence, and by an award, given
only hast week, it has been reduced TO
7 shillings. The Board of Arbitration
in this trade at its commencement rep
resented but Is works. At the end of
1873, it represented the proprietors Of
/ b works, more than 1900 subscribing
,rprL mon, and fully 20 OOO whose wacrpS