St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-08
NEW. DEPARTURE.
Labor and Capital Make Rules for
Their Government.

Labor and Capltal MAKE RuleS Tor
Their Government.
The cardinal principle of the Knights of
Labor in settling disturbances between en-
ployers and employes-ar arbitration
to be about to receive fair test in Lynn,
Mass, where the frequency of strikes and
labor differences has been the cause of much
injury to Lynn's welfare as business COM
munity. The Knights of Labor and the
manufacturers have agreed to schedule Of
rules which are to apply in the regulation
of the relations of worker and employer.
These rules deserve to be carefully studied
by every one interested in labor, as their
successful operation in Lynn would make a
good precedent for the adoption of similar
rules in other centers where large forces of
men are employed. Following are the rules
in full:
Section /. The right of manufacturer to
employ or discharge employees must be ac-
knowledged. This means that the right to
employ and to discharge laborers belongs to
them who own the business. There could be
no other rule; no prudent man would not in
vest capital in business if he could not con-
troll it by employing the laborers he thought
necessary for conducting it. This is the in
separable right of capital.
Sec. 2. But if a person discharged claims
that he is discharged because he is an active
member of the Knights of Labor by specify
ing his cause or causes of complaint in writ
ing, he may bring the matter
directly before the board of arbitra-
ton for hearing Comment-In this rule
the word :'he'' includes both sexes. Its OBJ
ject is to prevent persons from being dis
charged because they are active members of
the knights of Labor" but if an active men,
Der is discharged for any cause other than
I, 10, onfi T1a ami "a hi
stands as that of any other person. When
the person discharged claims that the act was
done because he is an active member of the
Knights of Labor, by complying with the di-
rection of the rule he may bring the matter
before the board for hearing. and the board
has the sole right to hear it. The matter
must be in writing in order that the board
may see the exact causes of complaint and
know just what is to be heard and decided.
Rule Each factory is to regulate its own
working hours, but in no case shall a days
work exceed ten hours, except in two or three
departments, in order to I'LL orders on time.
Comment-Each factory shall say at what
time hands shall begin to work in the morning
and when they shall stop; not exceeding the
time named in the rule. When extra work is
to be done the manufacturer shall direct it in
order to meet the engagement calling for it,
but for the extra labor done there shall he ex-
ira pay.
Rule S-Shop meetings to be held only after
working hours Comment-The purpose of
this rule is that there may be no interference
with business.
Rule 4-Grievance committees of shops not
to meet oftener than once week, except in
case of new employees. Comment-The COM
mittee need not meet once a week unless it
has business. But for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the condition aud standing of persons
not hitherto employed in the shop, it may
meet as often as necessary.
Rule Spending the discussion and decision
of any difference or dispute there shall be no
lockout strike, stoppage or cessation of work
By either employer or employed. Comment