New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-17
SETTLING LABOR DISPUTES.
AMESABIITY OF CORPORATIONS AND THEIR EN-
PLoYIs TO LEGISLATIVE CONTROL


PLOYIs TO LEGISLATIVE CONTROL
ALBANY Jan I6.-The State Board Of Arbitration
and Mediation, composed Of Messs. William Purcell,
Gilbert Robinson jr., and Florence Donovan has pre-
sented its annual report to the legislature OF which the
following the most important passages:
The number Of labor difficulties that have occurred
during the year 1887 much smaller than In 1856
The marked and distinguishing feature OF d. sslon ~ The
field Of industry In the ate the past year has not been
In disagreement to wages alone, but has been on
welmarked and clearly defined line OF principle pre-
senng the question whether employers should respec-
lively cOhiiol and direct tier seefal mldaItar 'n eS
and enterprises without interference or dctatlon from
any outside quarter, or whether employees combine
In organization OF trades of a common nature or OF all
natures, should exercise power OF control ana dfec-
ton and OF limitation, over the sbOi la such manufact
cries enterprises.
Neither mediation, arbitration nor invest gallon.
Is Of much use to effect settlement In cases where
the struggle IS for the mastery In conroh anu put
ting limitation upon the labor OF manufactory OF
other business enterprise EMPLOYERS have, during
The past year, perfected organizations among themselves
10 greater extent than ever before and their objective
point 10 b. eak down the combinations Of the trades
a. controlling powers over labor employed ana aeai
directly with their employees, each In his own establish
ment. The contest Is of combinations of employers
on ones'de and Of the en- pioyed on the other.
On the 18th day OF Jniy a strike of the engineers
and hremcn the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad took
place. The striking employees were willing 10 submit
the differences TO arbitration, but the company declined
expressing determination to deal thereafter ind dn-
organization And the Information is that It succeed
ed Lne circumstance Of this strike suggests the
made 10 prevent OF punish arbitrary and abrupt inter-
rpon OF traVel anu alton OF IRE ght, 10 the
great Inconvenience OF the public and danger human
life and material values upon lines for the porta
ton Of persons and prop>s whether by the corporate
powers owning and operating thenor by the persons
service upon them.
or what avail IS II for the state to possess and cx-
ccIse a power Of control and regulation r.tr ad
corporations created for the public benefit and pr
persons holding and using their property for public
purposes, Il It permits combint lions OF III authorized
and rfes p0nsble employees Of such corporations and
persons, Others 10 arbitrarily arrest ana bold al
viii the operations of railroads or other properties
In the service Of the publicf The operatives OF rail-
road from engineer down trackman, are In the prac-
teal relations OF their services TO persons ana properly
transported far I'm porCant ~ factors than omcefs
Of Tue corporation and should be held to due respon-
sbllty Nor would the extension Of regulations by
law 10 employees upOn flroads work any hardship 10
them. On tho contrary It would be their guarantee
and protection, we'll the guarantee and protection
lodge somewhere power, with ample means VI Law TO
make rs Intervention effective, for the speedy etie