New-York tribune., 1890-08-29
ARBiTRATyON AND THE BRICK BOYCOTT

ARBITRATION IND THE BRICR BOlCOIT
The State Board of Arbitration has decided
TO investigate the causes Of the recent strike
on the New-York Central Railroad; or, TO
speak more exactly the occurrences which
led up to and the incidents which accompanied
il. This action is entirely within the lawful
province of the Eoard. and we assume that
no attempt to hinder the inquiry will BE- made
in any quarter. Mr. Webb has promptly de-
clarcd his perfect willingness to assist the in
vestigation. though he doubts its utility. Mr.
Powdcry may also be expected to corporate
in spite Of his announced discovery. after the
failure of the strike. that the Board was
costly and useless appcndagc Of government
The CUmmis isSionerS possess no authority to
compel obedience to their conclusions. and IN
reality. under existing circumstances. their
conclusions are of no practical importance
Whatsoever 10 The railroad, to itS former en-
ploycs, or to the public. No chance or occa-
sion for mediation remains but 1t is possible
that. as a result OF the investigation. some
useful information may sooner or later be dis
seminated.
There is however, at the present moment.
in another field of industrial activity, IN OPP
portunity for action on the part of the Board
of Arbitration which might not prove value
less, and which certainly ought not to bc ig-
nored Numerous makers and handlers of
brick are now engaged in a contest which Is
nilicting great loss. Inconvenience and hard
ship upon thousands Of persons. and which
threatens to produce widespread confusion and
distress. iS We understand the case, both
parties to this controversy are in serious con
hct with the law. The first offence was com
mittcd by the Board of Walking Delegates,
who declared and initiated the boycott against
the manufacturers. This criminal act afford
ed the latter an abundant opportunity - de-
fend their rights. and by so doing TO perform
a service of great value TO the whole com
mupity. If they had promptly caused the
arrest Of the walking delegates and prosecuted
them for conspiracy, in tho meantime con
tinuing their business as makers and shippers
of brick by all the lawful means at their dis
posal they would have deserved and enjoyed
the support and respect of the public. Every
good citizen would have been glad - see them
speedily and completely successful in such an
endcavor TO overthrow "A detGSiablc tyranny.
But they foolishly discarded that lawful and
praseworthy and incumbent means OF redress.
and entered into a rctaatory combination
which has enormously increased the general
discomfort and loss.
Whether or not the Ncw-Yorl; Central con-
troverSy at any time included elements which
might have properly been made the subject
of arbitration. the brick strike does aS-rcdly
present conditions which the state Board
ought to consider without delay. The rail
road strike is practically ended, and tho facts
which the Commissioners may elicit cannot
now be made the basis Of any useful action
but the entire building trade Of this vicinity
aud multitude Ct individual citizens are
vtally interested in The cessation Of the bitter
warfare now in progress. We advise the
Board to take .nompt action in this case. 1t
is not likely to have soon again good a
chance to rcfutc the growing belief that its
maintenance is silly waste of public money