Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1886-04-23
Semi SaseAlp 5utsrim sonruaI
INDUSTRIAL STRIFES.
=NoLAND's BOARD OF VOLUNTARY
ARBITRATION AND CANCELLATION.

Features of Labor and Trade Disputes
Over Century Ago-Lord st. Leon
ards Mcasure-Plan Originated by Mr..
Mundena and Judge Kettle.
For n century and half, beginning in
l71O, industrial strifes in Great Britain were
one long series Of murders riots, arson, and
Misunderstanding and all legislative effort
was Of a purely repressive nature Con-
spiracy acts, acts Furnishing with death
certain forms of violence, such as machine
breaking for which crime six persons were
executed in 1910, and acts of compulsory
arbitration Of labor disputes mark thisera
Some Of tho worst features Of the strife
gradually disappeared after the passage Of
the compulsory arbitration act of 1924, but
strikes and lockouts continued to occur with
even increasing frequency for the next forty
years, and so little use Of tho provisions of
the act was made that its existence was
practically forgotten.
COUNCILS TO ADJUST DIFFERENCES.
In 1867 an act TO establish equitable
councils Of Cancellation to ad .ust differences
between masters and men was pushed
through parliament by Lord ST Leonards
IL provided for councils or boarls to be
formed under the license Of the home secre-
in any particular trade or place To these
councils might be referred for compu sorry
arbitration any case or dispute which COM
mittee appointed by the council fai ell to
adjust by Cancellation. In tie EMO cement
OF their awards the councils werJ endowed
with all the authority granted 10 arbi-
TRAITORS and referees by the act o; lS.4
Six years before the passage Il the . ord
St Leonards act Mr.. A. J. Muniela now
president Of the British board OF trade es-
tablished at Nottingham the first permanent
or continuous board of voluntary arbitration
or Cancellation, and its success was so
marked that three years later SINH
lar board, with some important mod
ifications, was created upon plan
framed by Judge Rupert Kettle-"a gentle
man most admirably fitted for the response
ole position of arbitrator; Of clear insig a
judicial mind trained by long experience
on the lench, and mos; happy faculty Of
graphic expression" In 1872 parliament,
in response to the sentiment in favor Of
these boards, passed third act to make
further provision for arbitration between
masters and workmen," and this act gives
all powers consistent with freedom of con-
tract for the establishment of permanent
boards of arbitration with authority to fix
future rates of wages and power to enforce
their awards by legal process.
VOLUNTARY IN THEIR SUBMISSION.
Although both these latter acts contain
provisions for compulsory arbitration it is
now known that these provisions have ever
been resorted to in any case, but the large
number of differences that have been settled
in the last twenty years in Great Britain
have all been voluntary in the submission
and in the acceptance Of the awards. The
permanent boards Of Cancellation and arbi-
rations originated by Mr.. Mundella and
Judge Kettle have constantly grown in
favor and usefulness
Speaking Of their effect on the industries
which first adopted them, Mr.. Mundella
says "a most friendly feeling has taken
the.place Of hostility, and confidence and
mutual respect exist where formerly all was
suspicion and hatred This was not the re-
suit of day, nor was it accomplished with.
out occasional lapses to the old state Of
things. The strifes Of a century and half
are not so soon forgotten, but troubles in the
board have been so infrequent and unimpor-
tant that l am justified In saying that it is
a complete success Strikes and lockouts
are unknown; contact has developed re-
spect The changed relations of employer
and employed have been recognized; they
have met about the same table as equals,
and out Of this has grown a condition Of
affairs that will make it impossible for the
Did conditions to return. Chicago News