Frostburg mining journal., 1883-03-17
Arbitration.

Mr.. Ecklsy B. Coke, Of Drifton,
member Of tho Senate Of Pennsylva-
MIA, is quoted as having made the fol.
lowing remarks on the suhject of ar
bitrstion; which is just now sttract-
ing so much attention in the Per nsyl-
vanis coal trade: "When men are
negotiating with each other for the
purchase of the labor of the one BY
the other, it is very difficult for the
parties concerned to treat the ques.
ton dispassionately when both feel, il
they do not come to terms, they must
fight. But if there is q method by
which all points upon which they can
not agree may be settled with Justice
aud honor to both, the way for fair
and open discussion Of the whole mat
ter Is open, aud but few subjects will
nave to be referred to the outside tri-
bunal. But it may be urged against
'his bill that there is NO method by
which the decision Of the tribunal can
be enforced, and it will therefore be
very ificult to compel the working
men to submit to its decision. This
is not valid objection. have al
ways found that workingmen are as
honorable in this respect as any other
class Of men, rich or poor, educated
or uns iucatod, that I come in con.
tact with in my business; and / am
satisfied that there is no more danger,
if as much, Of their declining to 40.
cept this decision and abiding by it
than there ia Of the employers refus-
ing so to do. One Of the great diff.
culties that arises when arrangements
are made to settle labor disputes by
conference is tho fact that delegates
on both sides often come with cast-iron
instructions from which they have no
power to dsviaie but if the confer
encs wsre to be followed by refer
encs on any points upon which they
could not agree to such tribunal,
rhe delegates would come to the con.
ference instructed in general way
only, and many matters, which under
the old state of affairs, wonld not be
settled. would without difficulty be
'diustoa TIE position oi an employ
ar tends to produce in bis mind an
idea that he occupies superior posl-
tion, or has grsstsr rights than the
workingmsn. The existence of such
q tribunal before whom he and the
workingman appear to be ON equal
footing will tend to make him realize
the true condition Of affairs, which il,
that Doth parties are ia all resr scts
equal. Though not pretending to be
n workinpman or in any way his rep
ressntativs, but on the contrary, a
large employer Of labor of all kinds,
l feel and admit that he has equal
rights with me. What he properly
demands. and what he will have, is
justice. To be satisfied, he mus feel
that the bargain is fair, and that it
has been reached in an honorable
way, without any resort to force or
coercion. He cares more for this than
for q slight addition to or reduction
from his daily pay. Where the work.
lngman does not get his just dues,
trouble mast snsue, and capital must
pay its share Of the bill, which is Of
ten large one. l 40 not claim that
this bill is perfect--I do not claim
even that it is the proper remedy
yet do say that 1T is step in the
right direction. There il no royal
Dad to the settlement of the great
question of capital and labor. 1t is
like cutting a road through thick
forest. We must push ahead, and as
from time to time ray of sunlight
brsaks in and shows that we ere tray
cling in the wrong direction, we must
either rstrsce our steps or turn off to
what seems to us the proper point"