New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-21
TtBOR CONTROVERSIES.

The labor question III many phases, ana
the modes of dealing with difference
between employer and employed, were
illustrated by events on wednesday
Arbitration was accepted by printers III
q contest with The Providence Journal 20
operative labor made progress in an agreement
to share profits in the working OF a Pennsyl-
vania mine Peaceable conference between
EMPLOYERS and workers brought to an end the
prolonged struggle in the MouOngahela Valley.
The abuse of the powers of unions by
unvortbv officers was discovered with indigna-
ton by miners in the Hooking Valley The
manner in which this power also may be and is
obused TO serve selfish ends, which are hostile
to the interests of labor, was shown in report
ON the boycott" of Straiton n Storm.
In the latter case thousands OF men are out oil
work because some real or pretended Official OF
n labor association used its power to break
down one set of manufacturers for the beneht
of another set. Both employed labor, ano rue
report To the abov association states that those
whom the boycott was intended to break down
actually paid better wages than those whom it
was intended to build up 1t was obvious that
q performance so clearly hostile to the interests
of labor could never have begun if the workers
and the employers had first made an honest
effort TO understand each other by genuine
conference or by fair arbitration. SO it appears
in the Hooking Valley, if the miners are right
in their belief. that their union was used Tor
the benefit Of Indiana operators. and against
their own interests. The effect Of the course
taken by the union in that case is to drive away
bu.incss from the mines in which the men are
EMPLOYED. and to take the bread out of their
mouths. for the benefit, not of other miners
but of employers in another State.
On the other hand, real and great progress in
adjusting the relations OF employers with the
employed appears in Pennsylvania Inc
Monongahcla strike, which had lasted Tor
months, ends after full and frank conference
in agreement Of the miners to accept III cents
nj some mines and cents AT others. Had the
same frank comparison of views been reached
months ago. enormous losses and much suffer
ing would have been avoided. The minors
Ucrc not then willing to look into the matter
rs il vas presented to the umpire they hal
chosen. and because his finding was not what
they wanted they hastily decided not to
accept il. Undoubtedly a conference IN the
spirit shown this week would then have pre-
vented further controversy. Ii is a substantial
gain. too. that the workinymcn now see the
essential Justice of the finding formerly maGc.
In the Providence ease, the printers have
agreed to submit the questions at Issue
between them and The Proridcnce JourHnt 10
arbitration. If both sides are fairly and fully
presented. before farly-sclcctcd. capable and
impartial arbitrator, there Is no reason to
doubt that decision essentially Just to both
parties will be reached. For the interests OF
labor and capital are never antagonistic. Only
ignorance and prejudice greed aud passion,
make those interests seem To conflict II l.
never for the interest of labor to deny to
capital opportunity to secure reasonable
returns, that there may be provision for hard
times. and that the business may be expanded
SO that there shall BE- more work Tor more men,
II il never for the interest of employers to
deny to labor sufficient wages to provld" for
sickness. age, or the education of children. All
the industrial progress. made in this world Is
made by intelligent, contcntcd and willing
l1bnr