The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-04-29
THE president Has A PIN.
Which He Gires to Congress to Enable N
10 Le1isiate for Labor.

LIN preSiucnU on Che Z2d sent the follow
ing message to congress on the subject O
labor troubles:
70 the Senate and House of Representa-
tlves: The constitution imposes on tn,
president the duty of recommending to tn,
consideration OF congress from time tc
time such measures as he shall Judge neces
sary and ~expedient.
L am so deeply impressed with the i'm
portance OF Immediately and thoughtfully
meeting the problem which recent events and
a present condition thrust upon us, involv
ing the element of disputes arising between
our laboring men and their employers, that
L am constrained to recommend to con-
grcss legislation on this serious and pressing
subject. Under our form OF government
the value OF labor as an element of national
prosperity should be distinctly recognized
and the welfare Of the laboring men should
be regarded as especially entitled to legisIa-
tive care. In a country which offers to all
it's citizens the highest attachments of social
and political distinction, its workingmen
cannot justly or safely be considered as
Ir~revocabiy consigned to the limits of Il class,
and entitled to no attention., and allowed
no protests against neglect. The laborina
man, bearing in his hand an indispensable
contribution to our growth and progress,
may well insist with manly courage and as
a right upon the same recognition from
those who make our laws as is accorded to
any other citizens having IL valuable inter
est IN charge, and his reasonable demand
should be met in such q spirit OF apprecia-
ton and fairness as to induce IL contented
and patriotic cooperation in the achieve
ment OF a grand national destiny. While
the real interest OF labor is not promoted
by Il resort to threats and violent manifes-
~tations, and while those who, under u pre-
text of an advocacy of the claims OF labor,
want only to attack the rights OF capital
and for selfish purposes, or for the love of
disorder, sow seeds OF violence and discon-
tent, should neither be encouraged nor con-
cilated. Legislation on the subject should
be calmly and deliberately undertaken,
with no purpose of satisfying u%nreasona-
BILE demands or gaining partisan advantage.
The present condition Of the relations
between labor and capital are far from
satisfactory. The discomfort of the en-
ployed is due in a large degree to the grasp
ing and heartless manner of employers and
the alleged discrimination nfavor OF CAPT
tai is an object OF governmental atten-
ton. 1t must also be conceded that the
laboring men are not always careful to avoid
causeless and unjustiiiable disturbance.
Though the Importance of q better accord
between the interests is apparent, it must
be borne in mind than any effort in that
direction by the federal government must
be greatly limited by constitutional re-
strictions.
There are man. grievances which con-
gress by legislation cannot redress, and
many conditions which cannot by such
means be reformed. l am satisfied, how
ever, that something may be lone under
federal authority to prevent the disturb
ances which so often arise from disputes
between employers and the employed, and
which at times seriously threaten the bust
ness interests OF the country; and in my
opinion the proper theory upon which to
proceed is that Of voluntary arbitration as
the means of settling these differences. But
| suggest, instead OF arbitrators chosen in
the heat of conflicting claims and after each
dispute shall arise, there be created a COM
mission of labor, consisting of three mem
bers, who shall be regular officers of the
government, charged, among other duties,
with the consideration and settlement,
when feasible, OF all controversies between
labor and capital. A commission thus or
ganized would nave the advantage OF being
a stable body, and it's members, as they
gained experience, would constantly i'm
prove in their ability to deal intelligently
and usefully with the questions which might
be submitted to them. Ii arbitrators are
chosen for temporary service, as each case
OF dispute arises, experience and familiarity
with much that is involved in question will
be lacking, extreme p~artisanship and bias
will be qualifications sought on either side,
and frequent complaints of unfairness and
partially will De inevitable. The imposi-
ton upon a federal court of dnty as foreign
to judicial function as the selection of
an arbitrator in such cases Is at least of
doubtful propriety.
The establishment by federal authority
of such a bureau would be a just and sem
sible recognition of the value of labor and
it's right to be represented in the depart
ments OF the government. So far as its
c~onciliatory offices had relation to dis
turbances which interfered with transit
and commerce between states, its existence
would be justified under the provisions Of
the constitution which gives to congress
power to regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among several states. And in
frequent disputes between laboring men
and their employers OF less extent, and
~onseQuenceS of which are cor fined within
state limits and threaten domestic violence,
the ~interposition of such commission might
be rendered on application of the legisla-
ture or the executive Of the state under the
constitutional provision which requires the
general government to protect each of the
IftOSo WI iolClSS IL Wv
commission were fairly organized, the risk
OF loss OF popular support and sympathy.
resulting from refusal to submit to so
peaceful an instrumentality would con-
strain both parties to such disputes to
invoke its interference and abide by its
decisions. There would also be good reason
to hope that every existence of such an
agency would invite application to it for
advice and counsel, frequently resulting in
the avoidance OF contention and m%lsunder-
standing. If the usefulness of such a com
mission is doubtful because it might lack
power to enforce it's decisions, much en-
couragement is derived from the conceded
good that has been accomplished by rail-
oad commissions, which have been in
operation in many states, which having
little more than advisory power, lave ex-
erted most salutary influence in the settle
ment OF disputes between conflicting inter-
ests.
In July, 1884, by law of congress, a bu-
reau OF labor was established, and placed
in charge of a commissioner of labor, who
is required to collect information on the
subject of labor, it's relations with capital,
hours of labor, and earnings of laboring
men and women, and means OF promoting
their material social intellectual and NOR