The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-14

The arbitration act, technically known
as the Voluntary Trade Tribunal Act Of
1883, under which the Pittsburgh coal
miners propose 10 settle the pending wage
trouble, and which proposition the opera
tors meet sgain this morning to consider,
is an important piece Of recent legislation
in Pennsylvania which may have a mark
ed influence on the frequently recurring
trade dissgreements in that State. II
found by experience to be a good thing
for Pennsylvania, it may be found that \
like measure will be good and expedient
for other States similarly situated. The
act and the proposed proceedings under it
as applied 10 the present situation, are
attracting attention, and it is worth while
to consider what the measure is and what
It contemplates.
The preamble recognizes that disastrous
differences arise between persons engaged
In the iron, steel, glass, textile fabrics and
c)al trades, that the only solution seems 10
be in starvation or in force, (which does
not accord with the teachings Of humanity
aud the policy Of our laws" 1t assumes
that Il both sides will meet, with equality
OF representation and OF rights" in a
voluntary tribunal, discuss the situation,
and accept an impartial judgment, sub
santial Justice may be done and strikes
and lock. outs be avoided. This assumes,
Of course, that each party to the contro-
versy is well disposed, asking only what is
right and willing to grant all that is just.
On the written petition OF at least fifty
persons employed as workmen by five or
more separate firms within the county
where the petitioners reside, and at least
five employers each Of whom shall employ
at least ten workmen, the presiding Judge
OF the district shall issue a license for the
the establishment OF a tribunal TO consider
and settle the dispute between employers
ane employed in the trade specified. On
the petition OF either party the Judge shall
issue his license for the creation Of a tribu-
nal, conditioned upon the assent and
agreement OF the other party, which assent
shall be signiied in writing within sixty
days, or the petition shall be taken as dis.
missed. Signers must have resided in the
judicial district for at least one year, shall
have been engaged for at least two years IN
the trade which they profess 10 represent,
and must be citizens Of the United States.
A tribunal is to consist OF not less than two
employers or their representatives and two
workmGn.
The umpire, unanimously chosen, shall
only be called upon. to act alter full dis.
cussion and disagreement after three meet
ings. When the umpire acts he presldes,
and in connection with the tribunal shall
make rules for its government in harmony
with the laws Of the State. Questions in
dispute, upon which the umpire is desired
to pass, must be clearly set forth and sub
mitted to him in writing, signed by a ma.
jority OF each side, and providing that the
decision shall be final. and the umpire
must make his award within ten days.
The submission and the award being signed
by the umpire within thirty days and ap.
proved by the judge, the whole is to be
entered OF record. The award Is then
final and conclusive, judgement may be
entered thereon, and when the award is
for a specific sum OF money process to
enforce tho same may be issued. 1t is
specially provided that il at the time the
petition is presented there is, or is likely
to be, a suspension OF work on account OF
a dispute between employers and work.
men, the judge shall require testimony to
be taken al to the representative character
Of the petitioners, and if itappears that the
petitioners do not represent the will Of ut
least one.half OF each party he may decline
to establish the tribunal.
A tribunal is to last for one year, have
power TO administer oaths, issue sub
pnaas, orders and whatever notices may be
necessary. The members shall receive no
compensation for tho city or county, but
expenses may be met by voluntary sub
scription. The city or county shall provide,
heat and lighta place OF meeting. Lawyers
or other agents are not permitted to appear
for either side-one Of the most thoughtful
provisions Of the act, for it is supposed that
the parties will come together in the
tribunal to submit their disagreement to
reason and justice, not TO fight each other
with quibles and tie themselves up with
technicalities.
This is the plain English Of the law, Of
which good results are expected in Penn
s~ylvania. 1t is conceived in a spirit Of
fairness to employer and workmen, and II
met in the same spirit ought TO go far To-
wards answering its object. OF course
there will always be exceptional cases
which no law can reach, and for these the
law can not provide. This very measure
contemplates mutual consent. Either
interest can defeat a successful appeal TO II.
TpunfRT-