The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-05
MEMPHIS APPEAL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1856.
ARBITRATION TIE REMEDY.

ARBITR ALTON THE REMEDY.
T. wal silly thing for the Con-
norsville miners ID strike during such |
inclement weather, without a dollar
in their pockets or a days provisions
on hand-it was brutal thing for the
employers to eject the strikers from
the houses they occupied. Strikes are
generally commendable, because forced
by the exactions OF mercenary capt.
talists. But when labor makes an in
opportune strike and ia forced by cold
and hunger TO succumb, capital tri-
umphs and the labor cause is seriously
damaged. The peace and quiet OF the
country, as well as humanity and the
great business interests of sll classes,
demand that the troubles between
employer aud emf loye be satisfactorily
adjusted. This can only be done by
arbitration. This is a national ques'
ton, and commission should be
created by Congress to adjust all matters
OF variance between capital aud labor.
Commissioner Charles +. Peck OF the
New York Bureau OF Statistics and
Labor, recommends a State board oil
arbitration, and Gov. Hill most cor
daily indorses the suggestion. Arbi-
tration is the only remedy, and capital
and labor should join in urging the
passage Of law creating a board Of
arbitration, for strikes invariably lead
TO pecuniary loss to both parties.
Strikes suspend the ordinary profits Of
the capitalists, but al the same time IL
takes from the workiugmen their only
means for Subsistence. OF the desiIa-
bility OF a cure for these periodical
suspensions cf work there can be no
doubt. A law which reconciles these
troubles and which Furnishes either
the employer or the employee for its
violation will be the most valuable
addition to the tranquility aud the
prosperity OF the industrial classes
that has been made in the last ha'f
century. The coke mine strikers who
were yesterday and Wednesday evict-
cd from the houses they occupied by
cruel, mercenary and malignant en-
ployers are reaping the fruits Of their
untmely and ill'advised strike, The
strike Of the oigar-mskers in New
York has thrown fully 10000 men,
women and children out Of employ
ment, 1t is stated that the average
weekly wages Of the cigar-makers in
New York, including all grades, is 50
a week, 80 that the total loss in wages
caused by the suspension Of work is
$4,000 week. To compensate in part
for this frightful loss, the Inter-
nation UniOn is paying about $4,000 a
week to its members, and the Pro.
gressive Union about the fame
amount, making in all $4,000 week.
Taking into consideration the savings
that will be spent and the debts that
will be contracted, the weekly loss
to the cigar-makers is not less
than 100000. But this is not
all. The manufacturers suffer even
heavier loss than the opera
torp, but they are better able TO
stand 1t. One man afacturer estimates
his loss at $4,000 week, but Of
course this includes the profits he
would have made II his works had
continued in operation. To prevent
these losses and 30 much suffering of
the poor without food and out of en-
ployment there should be board Of
arbitration in every State, whose de.
oisiou should be final and enforced by
all the power Of the government.
There Is q marked contrast in the
North and South in tho relations OF
labor and capital, For years past
there has been an uuceasing war be-
tween labor and capital. But in the
South there is 10 irrepressitle con-
Aict The white aud colored laborers
are working in harmony, and there is
no fight between capital and labor,
which shows that the relations be-
tween employer and employe is most
satisfactory.