The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-04-29
LABOR COMMISSION.

ceeOln8S IN the y. b. courts.
LABOR COMMISSION.
WASHINGTON, April 22-The President
to-day sent the following message to con-
gress:
The constitution imposes on the president
the duty of recommending to the consider
alton of congress, from time to time, such
measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient. am deeply impressed with
the importance Of Immediately and
thougtfully meeting the problem which
recent events and q present condition have
thrust upon US, involving the settlement
OF disputes arising between our laboring
men and their employers, that l am con-
strained to recommend to congress legisla-
ClOn upon this serious and pressing sub.
ject Under our form of governments the
value OF labor as an element of material
prosperity should be distinctly recognized,
ana an the welfare OF the laboring man should
lative care. In a country which offers to
all its citizens the highest attainments Of
social and political distinction, its work
lngmen can not justly or safely be consid-
cred as lrrevocably consigned to the limits
OF class and entitled to no attention and
allowed no protest against neglect. The
iaoor1ng man, bearing in his hand an in
dlspensable contribution to our growth
and prog1e ss may we'll insist with manly
courage and as right upon the same recog-
n1tion from those who make our laws as is
accorded to any other citizen. having q
valuable interest in charge, aud his reason
able demands should be met in such
spirit OF appreciation and fairness as to
induce contented and patriotic CO opera-
tio1 In the achievement of a grand nation
al destiny. While the real interests of
labor are not promoted by a resort to
threats and violent manifestations, and
while those who under the pretext OF ad-
vocacy of the claims of labor wantonlv
attack the rights of capital for selfish pur.
poses, or the love of disorder, SOW seeds of
encouraged nor conciliated, all legislation
on the subject should be calmy and DELHI
eratelY taken, with no purpose of satisfy
ing unreasonable demands or gaining
partisan advantage. The present condi-
ton of the relation between capital and
labor are far from satisfactory. The dis
content OF the employed is due in large
degree to the
GRAsPING AND NEEDLESS ExACT1Oxs
OF employers and the alleged discrimination
in favor of capital as an object Of govern
ment attention. 1t must also be con-
coded that the laboring men are not
always careful to avoid causeless and
unjustifiable disturbance. Though the
importance of better accord between
tnese interests is apparent. it must be
direction by the federal government must
be greatly Limited by constitutional
restrictions: There are many grievances
which legislation by congress Cannot re-
Dress, ana many conditions which cannot
by such means be reformed. am Satisfied.
however. ho
under federal authority to prevent the
disturbances which so often arise from
disputes between employers and the
! employed, and which at times seriously
threaten the business interests Of the
country. And in my opinion the proper
voluntary arbitration as the means of
settling these difficulties. But I suggest
that instead of arbitrators chosen in the
neat OF conflicting claims, and after each
dispute she'll arise, there be created a com
mission of labor, consisting of three MEM
bers, who shall be regular officers of the
government, charged, among other duties,
with the consideration and settlement'
when possible, of all controversies between
| labor and capital. A commission thus or
| gained would havethe advantage of being
gained experience, would constantly i'm
prove in their ability to deal intelli9entlv
and usefully with the questions which
! might be submitted to them. If arbitrator
| are CHOSEN for temporary service, as each
| case OF dispute arises, experience and
familiarity with all that is involved in the
question will be lacking, extreme partisan.
ship and bias will be the qualifications
sought on either side and frequent com
plants Of unfairnesS and partially will be
inevitable. The imposition upon federal
court ct OF duty foreign to the judicial func-
ton as the selection of an arbitrator in
such cases is at least of doubtful proprietv.
The establishment of federal authority If
such bureau would be a Just and sensible
recognition Of the value Of labor, and of
It's right to be represented in the depart
ments OF the government. So far as its
concillatory Offices shall have relation to
disturbances which interferred with transit
and commerce between the states. it's ex-
lstence would be justified under the pro.
visions OF the constitution which gives to
congress the
POWER TO REGULATE COMMERCE
with foreign nations and among ha sever
al states; and in the frequent disputes be-
tween the laboriDg men and their employ
ers of less extent, and the consequences of
which are confined within state limits, and
threaten domestic violence, the interposi-
zion OF such commission might be ten
dered upon the application of the legisla-
VI q 6V6J09 uuUoT VIC con.
stitutional provision which requires the
general eS government to ''pr:: sot' each Of
the states against domestic violence.n II
such commission were fairly organized,
the risk OF loss Of q popular support and
NIT to SO peaceful an instrumentality
would constrain both parties to such dis
Putes to invoke it's interference and abide
by It's decisions. There would also be good
reason to hope that the very existence of
such an agency would invite application to
it for advice and counsel, frequently re.
suitlng in the avoidance Of contention and
Misunderstanding. If the usefulness Of
such commission is doubtful because It
might lack power to enforce its decision,
much encouragement is derived from the
conceded good that has been accomp.
plished by the railroad commissions
which have been organized IN many
OF the states which, having little
more than advisory, power, have ex-
Element Of disputes between conflicting in
ser oss In July, 1884, by a law Of con
and placed in charge Of a commissioner Of
LABOR, who Is required to 'tcollect informa-
zion upon the subject Of lahor ito ro1et;o,,.