Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-05

the time being the common carriers and
mon"pOIieSl it can be attained in part at
least by the enactment of
LABOR LAWS.
different in character from those now on
sur statute books. For instance, here in
Ohio:
/ Firstly laws favoring the organization
of wage workers. and making any diScrim-
inatlom against members of labor organiZa-
I tion. AS such, criminal offense.
Second BY laws lc>Seming the hours of
,abor and fixing in certain cases the smallest
amount per day, or hour. or piece that may
be paid employees. and the greatest per
cent. of profit on the capital invested that
an employer can claim as against his EN-
ploy yees.
Third-By compulsory arbitration laws
for the adjustment of labor troubles.
Hereafter | may take occasion to discuss
this proposed legislation, but in this letter
wish simply to call attention to the third
class: namely
COMPULSORY ARBITRATION LAWS.
Such laws might provide. among other
things, for permanent arbitration court in
each county, to consist of three Judges
whose term of Office should be one year:
one to be appointed by the governor. one
chosen by the voters of the county al a gem
eral election; to which court two should be
added whenever a complaint is made, to try
that complaint only: enc of them being
named by the employers complained of.
and the other by the labor organization
making the complaint.
These laws might also provide that no
complaint shall be tried unless made by
labor organization: every complaint must
be in writing. and be disposed of by the
court within ten days under severe pen
atty; no appeal from the decision of this
court shall be permitted; all costs. includ-
ing the pay of the Judges. shall be paid by
the party making them and be secured in
advance, and every ma jOrty decision shall
be binding Tor one year under penalties
that will compel obedience if the employer
continues IN business or the men remain in
his employ. Any attempts tc falSify the
employers books or to miSlead the court as
to the employers business could be made a
penltentiary Offense, and other laws en-
act' in harmony with and to carry out
these ideas.
OF course. in bringing about this new
order of things. there would be some CON
fusion at first and perhaps injustice
would be done to few EMPLOYERS.
But ii is far better that one employer
one capitalist should suffer than that fifty
waEe-wOrkerS and their families should be
oppressed, fail TO get their share of the
profits, or be in want.
Capital will not remain idle AS long as it
can Increase. These restrictions may ham
per il in some localities at first, but it will
soon adjust itself to circumstances and
prove that capital and labor are not in them
selves antagonistic. but are mutually bene-
fetal.
The survival OF the tittest is pernicious
doctrine if it means that life is a grab
game. That, however is not what it
means. Every man for himself and the
devil for the hindmnst' is not as wise a
policy As Whatever ys would that men
should do to you, do ye even SO To them"
In conclusion. Mr.. Editor. it should be
by the dissatisfied MASSES that
state Legislature can enact such laws as |
have suggested for their several states and
congress for the territories and the District
Of Columbia. and can provide for inter
state complications Such laws in my
Judgment are constitutional. If they are
not, then the constitution should be
amended. Yours,