Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-11
sTRIKES AVID ARBITRA TIoN.

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STRIKES AVID 1RBTTRA TI0N.
"The prospect for the future Of the la
boring man in America" says Mr.. Pow.
DERBY, In an article entitled "Strikes and
Arbitration In the Msy number OF the
rtbAmerican Review, 1sbrlghter to-day
than It ever was, notwithstanding the
seemingly strained relations at present
existing between employer and employe,"
and though we ere in the midst Of an cpl
demlc Of strikes, lockouts and boycotts,
the fact must not be lost sight OF that
were II not for the growing power OF or.
ganizatlon we should have great many
more strikes 10 contend with. This he
accounts for by the fact that the growing
power Of the workingmen compels recog-
milton; for instead Of tyrannizing over a
dlsorganlzed crowd Of workmen, employ
ers have now in many instances TO deal
with a compact, united body.
This organization on the part OF the
laborer, says Mr.. Powderly, is an act of
self-protection, and is in the natural or
der Of things. "In country where every
man, no matter how humble, is taught
from his Infancy that he stands the equal
OF all other men, it is but natural for a
citizen who is given to understand that
he must patronize certain store, or that
he cannot join certain society, TO feel
restlyei and, where SO much is promised
and so little obtained, men are apt to
lose faith in lGw.maklng system which
obliges the workman himself to become
complainant and prosecutor in cases
where the laws are violated to his detri-
ment" Thus the workingmen band to-
gether for mutual protection.
Mr., Powderly is sanguine of the good
to come from the rise of this new factor
in politics, and sees the evening shadows
closing in upon the day when great pri-
vate fortunes can be amsssed and gigantic
monopoles built up al have no fears
because of the present apparently dis
turbed condition Of the labor world"
says the labor leader. SON the contrary,
the signs are very hopeful Wendell
Phillips once said Never look for an
age when the people can be quiet and
safe. At such times despotlsm, like a
shrouding mist, steals over the mirror of
freedom"
The end for which all should strive
Mr.. Powderly believes is to lessen the
hours of labor throughout the nation, so
that the toilers may haye more time in
which to learn the science q self-govern-
ment. In order to do this The employer
and employed must no longt stand apart.
"Phe barriers of pride, caste, greed,
hatred and bitterness must be torn
down." says he. "The worklngman and
his employer must meet face to face,
they must discuss every detail In the
management Of the concern they
are Jointly operating. No sacrifice
of principle on the one hand or of
manhood on the other need attend such
transaction. In the management of great
or small concerns each grievance, each
trouble or difference, whether in relation
to discipline or wages, should be talked
over in concillatory spirit and arbi-
rated. Joint boards of arbitration should
be formed between manufacturers and
workmen all over the country. Each
party should devote considerable time to
the periectng of the plans best suited to
their interests or surroundings, for rules
governing one case or locality might not
work well in another. Having, after care.
iul elaboration, agreed upon the rules,
each party should sign the articles of
agreement, binding itself to abide by
them until changed by consent of both.
Agreements of this kind viii be the means
OF settling differences as they arise, and
with their Inauguration rikes, lockouts
and boycotts will not be entered upon SO
readily, and, II ever called into play, then
only as the very last resort"
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