Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-04-29
A REMEDY FOR STRIKES.
President Cleveland Recommends the
Creation or a Commission to
Settle Labor Disputes.
The Workingman Should Be Properly
Represented at WashingtOn-Mes-
sage to Congress.


sage on the subject of the labor troubles to
Congress on the 22d of April:
To THE SENATE AND HoUsE OF REPREsEETA-
TIvEs The Constitution imposes ON the Presi-
dent tho duty OF recommending to the consid-
Grafton Of Congress from time to time such
measures as he shall Judge necessary and ex-
pedient. am so deeply impressed with the
importance OF immediately and thoughtfuIly
meeting the problem which recent events and
present condition have thrust upon US, involv-
ing the settlement OF disputes arising between
our laboring men and their employers, that I
am constrained TO recommend to Congress leg
islation upon this serious and pressing sub
ject. Under our form Of government the value
Of labor as an element OF national prosperity
should be distinctly recognized, and the
welfare OF the laboring man should be regarded
as especially entitled to legislative care. In a
country which offers to all its citizens the high
est attainment OF social and political distinction
its workingmen cannot justly safely be con-
sidered as irrevocably consigned to the limits
OF a class and entitled to no attention and
showed no protest against neglect.
The laborng man, bearing in his hand an in
dispensable contribution to our growth and
progress, may well insist with manly courage
and as u right upon the same recognition from
those who make our laws as Ia accorded to any
other citizen having valuable interest in charge
and his reasonable demand should be met
induce contented and patriotic cooperation in
the achievement OF a grand national destiny.
While the real interests Of labor are not pro-
moted by a resort TO threats and violent mani
festations, and while those who, under the
pretext OF an advocacy of the claims Of labor
wantonly attack the rights of capital and for
selfish purposes or the love of disorder SOW
seeds of violence and discomfort, should neither
be encouraged nor conciliated all legislation
on the subject should be calmly and deliber-
ately undertaken, with no purpose OF satisfying
drfason ndnrrefasonable demands or gaining partisan ad-
The present condition OF the relations between
labor and capital are far from satisfactory. The
discomfort of the employed is due in large de-
gree to the grasping and Needless exactiona of
employers and the alleged determinations in
favor OF capital as an object OF governmental
attention. 1t must also be conceded that labor
ing men are not always careful to avoid cause
less and unjustiiable disturbances. Though the
Importance of a better accord between these in
terests is apparent, IL must be borne In mind
that any effort in that direction by the Federal
Government must be greatly limited by constitu-
tional restrictions. There are many grievances
which legislation by Congress cannot redress
means be reformed.
I am satisfied however, that something may
be done under Federal authority to prevent the
disturbances which 30 often arise by disputes
between employer and employed, and which at
times seriously threaten the business interests
OF the country and, in my opinion, the proper
theory on which TO proceed is that Of voluntary
vuitios. But suggest Jnar, nstefd OF GrDItia
after each dispute shall arise there be created
a commission of labor consisting OF three men,
bers, who shall be regular officers Of the Gov
ernment, charged, among other duties, with
the consideration and settlement, when posi-
BILE, OF all controversies between labor and cap
ital. A commission thus organized would have
the advantage OF being a stable body and its
members, as they gained experience, would
constantly improve in their ability to deal intel
ligently and usefully with the questions which
chosen for temporary service as each case of
dispute arises, experience and familiarity with
much that is involved in the question will be
lacking; extreme partisanship and bias will be
the qualifications sought either side, and fire.
quent complaints of unfairness and partiality
will be inevitable.
The imposition upon Federal court of a
duty foreign TO the judicial function, as the
selection Of an arbitrator In such cases,
tsbiishment lis @ by Federal authority b Of ns such si
bureau would be O just and
sensible recognition Of the value OF labor
ments Of the Government So far as its concil-
iatory Offices shall have relation to disturbances
which interfered with transit and commerce
between the States its existence would be justi-
fed under the provisions of the Constitution
which give to Congress the power to regulate
commerce with foreign nations and among tho
between the laboring mon and their employers
OF less extent, and the consequences of which
are confined within State limits, and threaten
domestic violence, the interposition Of such q
commission might bo rendered upon the APP
plication of the Legislature or Executive of a
State, under the constitutional provision which
requires the General Government to protect
each OF tho States against domestic violence.
II such q commission were fairly organized
the risk Of loss Of popular support and sympa-
thy resulting from refusal to submit to so
peaceful an instrumentality would constrain
both parties to such disputes to invoke its inter-
ference and abide by its decisions. There would
also be good reason to hope that the very exist
ence of such an agency would invite application
to 1t for advice and counsel, frequently result
ing In the avoidance OF contention and misun-
derstanding II the usefulness of such a COM
mission ia doubtful, because it might lack power
TO enforce its decisions. much encouragement Is
derived from the conceded good that has been
accomplished by the railroad commissions
which have been organized in many OF the
States, which, having little more than advisory
power, have exerted q most salutary influence
in the settlement OF disputes between conflict
ing interests.
In July, 1884, by a law OF Congress bureau of
labor was established and placed In charge Of
commissioner Of labor, who is required to col
lect information upon the subject Of labor its
relations with capital the hours of labor and the
means Of promoting thoir material, social intel
lectual, and moral prosperity. The commission
which suggest could easily be engrafted upon
the bureau thus already organized by the addi-
tion of two more commissioners, and by supple
IL by such other powers and func-
tions as would permit the commissioners
to act as arbitrators when necessary between
labor and capital, under such limitations and
upon such occasions should be deemed proper
and useful. Power should also be distinctly
conferred upon this bureau to investigate tho
causes OF all disputes as thoy occur, whether
submitted for arbitration not, so that in
formation may always be at hand to aid leg.
islation ON the subject when necessary and de-
sirable. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, April p, 1885,
CHA, hal That's good one on women,"