The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-21
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Nenessitv OF Arbitration.

pletely demonstrate the importance and ne
cessity of a legally-established tribunal OF
arbitration for the settlement of disputes be-
tween the employer and employed, as stated
in my communication to your paper of the
18th of last month.
For weeks thousands of men have been
idle and millions of dollars of damage are
the result of the strike, all of which it is
reasonable to suppose would have been
saved had the questions in dispute been sub
mitted to a proper tribunal for investigation
and settlement. The question of its speedy
settlement is of the most serious importance
to the country, the strikers, their families
and the telegraph company. This is con-
ceded, and the only question is the mode
and manner of the settlement. Except by
mutual agreement between the parties
it seems to me the only prac-
ticable mode is by arbitration, and there
manded by an injured public. The fran
chise, the right and authority by which the
company operates, belongs to the public, and
in extending this authority to the company
the public does it upon the sole condition
and consideration that it will benefit the
people.
These are not the only reasons why the
public nave a right to insist on the company
complying in good faith with the objects
and terms OF the grant by which it operates
instead of the crippled, imperfect, halfway
performance it is now giving; but il is I'M
necessary to refer to them. 1t is enough that
certain special privileges, franchises of a
valuable and important character not pos
sessed by the people in general, have been
conferred upon the company, and it is not
unreasonable in the public to expect a full
compliance with the objects of the grant, in
stead of which the company seems to disre-
gard all claims in the people and publish to
the world that if their late employees iconnot
be coerced by fear of want into their former
services at their old wages, "if their patrons
will have patience" and give them time
they will educate a new force
from outside cravers of employment
and from their necessities they will be en-
abled to add a few more dollars to their al
ready exorbitaut profits. What interest has
the people in such a petty spectacle of ava
rice? If the public have any interest in the
subject of telegraphing, why not find means
to enforce this right in a manner digniied
and with justice to all concerned?
1t seems clear that arbitrationis the only
practicable mode; besides, if it was possible
to effect a settlement at all between the par
ties, it is apparent it must be done from coer-
cion by one side against the other. The neces-
sites of the party submitting forcing them
into the act, it mus be evident that it will
not be sa satisfactory, and such a settlement
will be injurious even against the party sue
c~essful; it would be an evil and against pub
lie policy and could not stand long. Where
as a settlement by arbitration has the sane
ton of disinterested judgment and the
weight of quasi judicial authority, and if not
satisfactory to either party the question can
be readily resubmitted for further investiga-
ton.
There are the best of reasons why the
strikers individually should prefer the
law in the manner of arbitration to compul-
sion, one OF which is that the law is the best
friend of the weak and dependent; besides,
the greatest danger to the unions is from bad
influences and wrong advice from their lead
ers, and not from the laws. 1t is the great
power that finds its way into the hands of
the few that is to be feared by the unions in
times like the present. This has been dem
onstrated in many strikes, and, in fact, this
is to be feared in all organizations and gov
ernments at all times.
/ have seen it mentioned in the public
prints that the boards of trade of the large
CT lies should be called upon to organize a
commission or board of arbitration, before
whom the questions causing the strike could
be submitted. The plan l should think to
be a good one, but the commission should be
made as strong as possible, not only to settle
the questions for which it is specially called,
but it should go q step further, and report a
plan or draft of a law for settling disputes
between employer and employe before the
desperate act of striking has taken place.
The commission in investigation of the
questions before it would have such data as
would enable it to give to the county all in
telligent plan for the organization of a tribu-
nal of arbitration. Such a report would give
to Congress and the State Legislature the
greater advantage of an investigation by men
whose business and practical experience pc
culiariy adapt them Tor such an investiga-
ton.
1t seems to me, however, the commission
could be strengthened by adding to it one or
more of the most eminent and learned
Judges of the country and by placing upon
It one or more each of the ablest master me-
chanics and superintendent of telegraphing.
1t should be the object of the commission to
make such suggestions as when engrafted in
q law would promote the welfare of the la
borer, adapting the law to the present condi-
zion of commerce, manufactures, science,
arts. etc, etc.
AS a matter connected with the above and
important to the laborer, the report should
suggest amendments to our laws establishing
n more complete system of cooperation be-
tween laborers and between capital and labor
30 as to set off the one against the other in
conducting a business, and also that the
laborer may take an interest in the capital
of the business or stock in the corporation,
and pay the same in installments as the
business is carried on.
The time has also come when the Legisla-
lures of our country ought to assume the
regulation and control of the production and
accumulation of large profits through the
employment of labor in business where such
profits are out of all proportion to the CAPT
tai employed.
This is an evil that is threatening the peace
OF our country, and %undoubtly was one of
the elements entering into the origin of the
present strike. The exorbitant profits OF the
company upon its actual outlay of capital