Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-09

The French System Of Arbitration
From the Toronto Globe
A council Of wise m N" is created in q
manufacturing center on the requisition of the
municipal council. 1t consists Of six or more
pra'dtonsnaes elected in equal numbers by the
masters and workmen, and q president and
vice president, appointed by the government
one Of them being an employer and the other q
workman. The government nomination of the
two chief members is complained of by some
work ingmen, but Is approved of oy others, az
experience gained under former law tended to
show that election by the councils caused strife
that was never healed, and led to much party
feeling. The president and ice president hold
office for three years and are eligible for reap
pOintment. The other p,-ld honanaes are elected
for six years, but One-half retire every three
years. In case Of q vacancy occurring the
project of the municipality orders anew election.
No man Is eligible under the age of 30. and the
electors must be Is years of age and, If work.
men, must have served at their trade for five
years. Neither president, vice president nor
member of the council Is paid, fact which, sur
prising as 1t may seem to us, Is not apparently
looked upon In France as materially interfering
with the efficient working Of the council. In
many towns there are several councils, trades
being grouped In somewhat arbitrary fashion.
but with the general intention Of securing in
some measure similarity In the trade customs
and regulations ofeach group, and hence suf11-
Client acquaintance on the part of the councillors
with these trades to enable them to adjudicate
intelligenty
The "conseils'' have in most respects the
powers OF regular law court, and take cogni-
zance OF disputes between master and work
man ana between workmen themselves. The
conseil is sub-divided into private bureau and
a general bureau. the former consisting OF two
members and intended to effect peaceful set
tIement, falling which the dispute must, 20
from 'the peacemakers" for hearing before the
other and larger bureau OF procedure, which is
very simple and admirable. On a complaint being
lodged the clerk OF the council sends courte-
GUS invitation to the defendant to attend at a
certain time. This invitation Is generally ac-
cepted; but If not, formal summons Is issued
at the cost of the suit and, If necessary. third
is Issued at the cost of the defendant, who fall
contempt of court and to having judgment by
default rendered against him. At the hearing
no lawyer or attorney can plead; nor Is any dis
cussl0n between complainant and defendant
permitted. as 1t might by developing hot temper
retard an easy settlement. Each partv is
wisely restricted to merely answering questions
OF fact. Witnesses may be summoned. II neces-
sary. and are allowed small fees The decision
OF the council Is final except In certain cases: as
when documents are disputed, In these ex-
ordinary tribunals Three fourths Of the cases
which come before the general bureau involve
costs not exceeding sixpence; the utmeat eoet
possible Is not over i've ahillings sterling.
Now. a. to results, There are In Franco 1S2
conseais, Q considerable increase on few yesra
ago. Before these. In 1850, S9,42Q cases came
up, Of which one-fourth were settled before
passing the conciliators Of the private bureaus.
In an annual average Of ,95S cases put down
LOT hearing befOre the general courts ,789, OF
three-hfths, were withdrawn before hearing.
system which can show such results IN the con.
ciilaeion Of eontending parties and in the pre-
ventfon OF costly sppeels. and yet at tho same
time secure substantial Justice to Ill concerned,
ID well worthy Of the careful consideration Of
socl0 economies and Of the general public.