Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-24
The Presidents View Of the Labor
Problem.

The Presidents View Of the Labor
Problem.
The message of the President, suggest
ing the creation of Commission ct Labor
10 be attached to tine Bureau Of Labor,
and to nave power to arbitrate differences
between interstate railroads and their
employees, and also between other rail
roads and their employees, will perhaps
N ct with pretty general approval. At
first thought il seems as if labor troubles
ought to be dealt with by the authorities
OF the States in which they occur, not
only because the disposition to look to the
national government for aid in all sorts OF
troubles tends tO dwarf the State govern
ments and magnify the Importance OF the
central government, but, also, because if
it becomes necessary to use force for the
settlem INT OF the troubles, the states in
which they are located must furnish il TO
the extent of their ability.
There are some reasons, however, and
they are pretty strong ones in favor Of the
Presidents suggestion. One is that the
government arbitrators would feel under
no obligation to either side in settling
! controversy. They would feel free to decide
in accordance with the facts, whether
the facts favored capital or labor. This
being the case the party which felt it had
right on its side would appeal to the gov
eminent arbitrator for assistance, and
public sentiment would force the other
party to agree TO the arbitration. As at
present constituted arbitration does not
always mean justice, because the third
arbitrator, selected by the two who are
expected to uphold their respective in
terests, may be sympathizer with
one party or the other, and hence, IS liable
to be controlled by his sympathles.
Another argument in favor of govern
ment arbltrators is that they would CON-
mand more respect than arbitrators Sc
lected by contending parties because they
would, to CERTAIN extent, represent the
government. 1t is noticeable fact, and
one to which Mr.. Jay Gould called atten-
ton IN his testimony before the Curtin
labor investigating committee on Thurs
day, that strikes on roads IN the hands OF
a receiver, and, therefore, under the pro-
lection of the courts, are settled much
more quickly and satisfactorily than
strikes on other roads. The reason OF this
IS that it is understood that the DEGREES Of
the courts will be enforced. 1t is the feel
ing that they are masters of the situation
which makes strikers so bold and agrees
sIve. They proceed on the assumption
that they can do pretty much as they
please without fear of being interfered
with by a superior force.
The President is careful to point out
that wOrkmen are entitled to as much
consideration as capitalists from national
and State Legislatures, and that Con-
gress can do no wiser thing than to look
after the lnterestso of labor. He also states
clearly that those who unlawfully al
tempt to Obstruct the business Of the
country, and interfere with private prop
erty and rights ought not TO be cOnciliated.
They ought to be made to understand
that they are not above the law. OF
course, commission, such as the Presi-
dent proposes, would have nothing to do
with enforcing the law, or any decision
that it might make. In a majority of
cases, however, it's decision would be
sufficient to settle the trouble to which it
bad reference, because it would have the
support of public sentiment. Neither
railroad company nor its employees
would care to incur the hostility of pub
lie sentiment.
II there had been a government COM
mission authorized to arbitr ate labor
troubles 1t is probable that there would
have been no strike on the Gould system
OF roads. No comm ssOn would have de-
/ cided that the discharge of one man,
urder the circumstances that the man
! Hall was discharged, was such griev-
/ ance as to justify a strike, and the men
/ who struck would not even have con-
sidered it a grievance. The remarkable
/ spectacle OF less than one-third of the en-
ployes Of the Gould roads obstructing the
business of the roads, and forcing two
thirds of the employees to quit work
would not have been witnessed.
Labor has grievances, and very great
ones. II there is not some way provided
for remedying them, the disastrous labor
troubles will continue. They will become
more frequent and disastrous as the BUSH
ness and industries Of the country become
greater. Arbitration appears to be the
only remedy, and as the general govern
ment has the respect Of the people it
seems advisable, as far as 1t is possible
to judge at present, to provide for arbitra-
ton under government supervision. OF
course, such arbitration IS step in the
direction of Capitalization, but the couu-
try is 80 bound together in all its interests
that it is difficult TO legIsate for these
interests without sometimes taking a step
! int hat direction.
EX-President Arthur's Condition.