Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-23

LABOR AND CAPITAL
Special Message or che President.
HIS REMEDY FOR SETTLING prsPUrEs-A PRO
POSED COMMISSION TO BE KNaRAFTEp UPON
THE LABOR BUREAU.
The following message was sent to both Houses
OF Congress yesterday by the President:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
The constitution imposes upon the President
the duty OF recommending to the consideration
OF Congress from time to time such meas
ures as he shall judge necessary and expe-
dent
am SO deeply impressed with the Importance
of Immediately and thoughtfully meeting the
problem which recent events and q present
condition have thrust upon us, involving the
settlement OF disputes arising between our la
boring men and their employers, that am con-
strained TO recommend TO Congress legislation
upon this serious and pressing subject. Under
our form OF government the value of labor as an
tinctiy recognized, and the welfare of the labor.
Ing man should be regarded especially enti-
tied TO legislative care. In q country which
OF social and political distinction, its working
men cannot justly or safely be considered as
lrrevocably consigned to the limits of a class
ana entitled TO no attention and allowed no
protest against neglect. The laboring man,
bearing in his hand an indispensable contribu-
tion TO our growth and progress may well in
sist, with manly courage ard as q right, upon
the same recognition from those who make our
laws, as Is accorded to any other citizens having
BILE demand should be met in such a spirit of
appreciation and fairness as to induce a con-
tented aud patriotic cooperation In the achieve
ment OF grand national destiny.
While the real interests of labor are not pro-
NOTED by resort TO threats and violent mani.
festations, and while those Who under the pre-
n n m "a no lotv, Lob,
tonly attack the rights Of capital, and for sell
fshpurposes, or the love of disorder SOW seeds
OF Violence and discomfort, should neither be
the subject should be calmly and deliberately
undertaken, with no purpose of satisfying un-
reasonable demands or gaining partisan add
vantages.
The present condition of the relations between
labor and capital is far from satisfactory. The
degree to the grasping and needless exactions
OF the employers and the alleged discrimina-
ton In favor of capital as an object OF govern
mental attention. 1t must also be conceded
that the labOring men are not always careful 10
avoid causeless and unjustif1abe disturbance
Though the Importance OF a better accord be-
tween these interests is apparent il must be
borne in mind that any effort In that direction
by the federal government must be greatly linn
tied by constitutional restrictions. There are
many grievances which legislation by Congress
cannot redress, and many conditions which
cannot by such means be reformed.
am satisfied, however, that something may
be done, under federal authority, TO prevent
the disturbances which SO often arise from dis
putes between employers and the employed,
and which at times seriously threaten tile Lusi-
ness interests of the country; and i'm my opin-
ion the proper theory upon which to proceed is
that OF voluntary arbitration as the means of
settling these difficulties.
But 1 suggest that, instead OF arbitrators
chosen In the heat of conflicting claims and
after each dispute shall arise for the purpose of
the same there be created a COM
mission OF labor, consisting of three members
VINO shal be regular Officers of the government
charged, among other duties, with the consider
alton and settlement, when possible, of all con-
troversies between labor and capital.
A commission thus organized would have the
of being u stable body and it's mem.
bers, as they gained experience, would con-
stantly improve in their ability To deal intelli-
gently and usefully with the questions which
chosen for temporary service each case Of
dispute arises, experience and familiarity with
much that is involved in the question will be
lacking, extreme craftsmanship and bias will be
the qualifications sought on either side, and
com plants of unfairness and partiality
will he inevitable. The imposition upon "a fed
eral court OF duty SO foreign to the judicial
as the selection of an arbitrator in
such cases is at least OF doubtful propriety.
The establishments by federal authority OF
such a bureau would be q just and sensible
recognition of the value oflabor and of its right
to be represented in the departments of the
government. so far as its conciliatory offices
should have relation to disturbances which in
terfered with transit and commerce between the
states, Its existence would be justified under
IN,
to Congress the power "to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the several
states" And in the frequent disputes between
the laOoring men and their employers, OF less
extent and the consequences OF which are con-
fined within state limits and threaten domes-
tic violence, the interposition OF such "A com
mission might be rendered, upon the applica-
ton Of the legislature or executive of "a state
under the constitutional provision which re-
quires the general government TO protect
each of the states against domestic violence
Ii such a commission were fairly organized,
the risk Of a loss OF popular support ana symp,.-
thy resulting from refusal to submit to so
peaceful an fundamentally would oonstrain
both parties to such disputes to invoke its inter-
ference and abide by its decisions. There would
ence OF such an agency would invite application
TO it for advice and counsel, frequently result
ing in the avoidance Of contention and misun-
IL the usefulness Of such O commission ia
doubted because it might lack power TO enforce
It's decisions, much encouragement Is derived
plished by the railroad commissions which
have been organized in many OF the states
which, having little more than advisory power,
nave exerted a most salutary influence in the
settlement OF disputes between conflicting in
erestS.
In July, 1884, by a law of Congress, a bureau
Of labor was established and placed in charge
Of commissioner OF labor, wno is required 10
collect Information upon the subject of labor,
is relations with capital, the hours of labor and
he earnings of laboring men and women, and
he means OF promoting their material, social,
Intellectual and moral prosperity"
The commission which l suggest could easily
De engrafted upon the bureau thus already
organized by the addition OF two more Commis-
ioners and by experimenting the duties now
imposed upon II Oy such other powers and
functions AS would permit the Commissioners
o act arbitrauors when necessary between
abOr and capital under such limitations and
lpon such occasions as should be deemed
proper and useful. Power should also be dis
inctly conferred upon this bureau TO tnyesti-
,ate the causes OF all disputes they occur |
whether submitted for arbitration or not, SO |
hat Information may always be at hand 70 aid |
egislatlon on the subject when necessary and |
desirable. GROVER CLEvELAND.
Executive Mansion, April 20, 1885,
When the message was read in the Senate |
yesterday afternoon a question arose TO the |
e Observation-Disclosures the Judiciary committee |
n the committee ON education and labor. 1t /
vas finally ordered to be printed aud the ques-
ION Oh reference allowed TO remain In allegiance. |
Brave Ida small Married.
USED BY THE FIREMAN WHO RESCUED HER |
FROM THE BURNING WORLD" BUILDING-A
WEDDING TOUR 10 WASHINGTON.
The New York World Of yesterday says: Miss
da Small was married to Mr.. Charles H. Haight
t the residence OF her brother. Mr.. Wilson
mall, No. 336 Lorimer street. Brooklyn, last
SEVENTH Presbyterian church OF this city, had |
oncluded the marriage one OF the gentlemen
resent stepped up to the bride and Kissed her
lie was Fireman John Rooney, Of Engine COM
allied a thrilling episode In the young lady's
lie.
When, on February 1, 1882, the disastrous
Ire i'm the old World building, on the corner OF
ark Row and Beekman street. broke out. Miss
small was engaged in an office ON the fourth |
loor on the Beekman street side. The flames
pread with such rapidly that they had almost |
cached the room in which the young lady was
before ipo kss-l