The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-23
proper theory upon which to proceed is
that OF voluntary arbitration as the meRns
OF settling these difficulties,



But suggest that instead Of arbitrator
selected in the heat OF conflicting claims,
there shall be created a Commission ol
Labor, consisting OF three members, who
shall be regular officers OF the Govern
ment, charged among other duties with
the consideration and settlement, when
possible, Of all controversies between
labor and capital, A commission thus
organized would have the advantage Of a
stable body, and It's members as they
gained experience would constantly im-
prove in their ability to deal in
telligently and useiully with the
questions which might be submitted
TO them. II arbitrator are chosen for
temporary advice as each case OF dispute
arises experience and familiarity with
much that 1t Is involved in the question
will be extreme pRrtisanship and bias will
be the qualification sought on either side
and frequent complaint OF uliairuess and
Partially will be inevitable. The imposi.
lion upon federal court OF duty foreign
To the judicial junction as the selection OF
au arbitrator in each case is at least q
doubtful procedure.
A JUST RECOGNITION.
The establishment by federal authority
Of such bureau would be a good and
sensible recognition Of the value OF labor
and OF It's right to be represented in the
departments OF the government. So far
as It's Conciliatory offices In relation TO dis
turbances which interfered with transit
and commerce between the States Its ex.
istence would be justified in the pro-
visions OF the constitution which gives to
Congress the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations and among the sew
eral States,
And in the frequent disputes between
the laboring man their employers OF less
extent, and the consequences Of which are
confined within Stats limits and the do
mestiC violence, the Interpolation Of such
4 Commission might be rendered upon
tho application Of the Legislature or Ex-
eCutiVe OF State under the constitutional
provision which requires the general GOV.
ernment to "protect" each OF the states
against domestic violence" II such a
Commission were fairly organized the risk
OF loss Of popular support aud sympathy
resulting from a refusal to submit to so
peaceful IN instrumentality would con-
strain both parties to such disputes to In,
woke It's influence and abide by Its deCl.
sion. So
There would also be u good reason TO
hope that the existence OF such COM
mission would invite application to II for
advice and counsel, frequently resulting
in the avoidance OF contention and mis-
understanding. II the usefulness Of such
commission is doubtful because 1t might
lack the power to enforce its decision,
much encouragement Is derived from
the conceded good that has been accom-.
plished by the Railroad Commissions,
which have been organized In many OF
the States, which, having little more
than advisory power, have most salu.
tory influence in the settlement Of dis
putes between conflicting interests.
BUREAU or LABOR.
Iu July, 1884, by a law OF Congress a
Bureau Of Labor was established and
placedin charge OF q Commission OF Labor,
who isrequired to collect information on
the subject OF labor, It's relations with
capital, the hours Of labor and the earn.
ings Of laboring men and women, and the
means oil promoting their material, social,
Intellectual and moral prosperity The
commission which Is suggested could
easily be engraited upon the bureau thus
created and already organized by the ad.
ditlon Of two more commission
es, and by supplementing the
duties now imposed upon 1t by
such other powers and functions as
would permit the commissioners to act as
arbltrators when necessary between labor
and capital, under such Limitation and
upon such occasion as should be deemed
useful. Power should also be distinctly
conferred upon this bureau to investigate
the cause Of all disputes as they occur
whether submitted for arbitration or not,
80 that information may always be d
hand to aid legislation on the subjsCt
when necessary and desirable.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, April %, 1885.