Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19
HOW TO SETTLE THE STRIKE.
Mr.. Nash Proposes Arbitration Between
thc Employers and Employees
fFnr thu Dianntch.l

Every thoughtful citizen of Richmond
must deplore the unhappy state Of affairs
between the Richmond Locomotive Works
and its former employees, not only because
of the serious consequences both TO the
works and the men, but also because of the
wide publicity given the matter, which
cannot fail to work harm to a city seeking
to establish reputation among capitalists
and workIngmen as place for safe invest
ment and for harmonious relations be-
tween employer and employe. Upon
these grounds the community has a
claim upon the regard of both parties to
this unfortunate affair, and that inter-
ference that would be presunptuous were
the difference between private persons be-
comes in this case almost an imperative
duty.
No one who knows the gentlemen whose
names have been published asstockholders
in the Locomotive Works will believe that
they have any wish to enrich themselves
upon the spoils Of those whom they en-
pfoy. There are men on that list who will
live in the history Of Richmond, in the fire.
side stories of her working people, as
friends and benefactors Of the poor.
of men whose daily labor provides daily
food for wives or children would by de-
liberate. concerted act cease to win bread
and invite want and suffering unless they
had soue grave reason for doing so. 1t ls
plain that the Locomotive-Works need
men; il is plain that the men need work;
il is equally plain that it would be to the
advantage of the city, the works, and the
men if the affair could be adjusted and the
former employers and employees come to-
gether again.
What is not SO plain is how to accom-
plish this end. Public meetings and adj
dresses will not do this. lnconsiderate
utterances, ill-dieested advice, proposed
methods applicable in other communities
and under other circumstances but map
plicable and inappropriate here and IN ex-
listing affairs-all this is harmful, inham-
matory, and preventing. Neither Will pre-
conceived and predetermined CONDITIONS
allow an adjustment without the loss and
dependency of defeat, the gain and ella
ton of victory. There must be mutual con-
fdence and respect between employer add
employe or union will only be temporarily
cemented. This is not q fight on which
the community is looking to discover
heroes that it may enshrine their names in
history as synonymes of uDyielding, deter
mined, immovable, implacable. We live
in a Christian age. and practically. we
should be influenced by Christian princi-
pies, if not for conscience sake, then, for
the notable advantages of methods
prompted by these over others dictated
by selfish and personal motives.
Let there be no more public meetings
and speech-making; let there be no more
published conditions; let there be no moro
"bravado" provoking anger. The parties
to this affair are the stockholders Of the Loco
inotiue- Works, he striking ,oorknlen, and the
c6Inmuniy These three can settle the
matter, and these alone. In few days
tho men and the company may be faster
friends than ever, and the community re-
ioice that what was a sad grievance has
been effectually cured. Let the PROPOSE
ton come from the company and
the men alike, neither seeking to
be last to submit the matter to
a committee Of arbitration chosen by the
company for Itself by the men for aemselres.
and by the Mayor for The community. Let
this committee meet uninStructed seeking
ONLY the good of all parties concerned,
and let their decision be unql1estioned, '',.dis-
c4ssod, and final. Then will have ended an
evil, and have been established prece-
dent for the settlement of such grievances
in the future. REV. PRESTON NASH.