The Press., 1891-01-29
(FOr The Press) AN EXAMINATION OF THE LABOR PROBLEM.
FOURTH PAPER. CONCLUSION.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE LABOR PROBLEM.
 FOURTH PAPER. CONCLUSION.
 It was stated in a, former paper that in dealing with labor differences the method of conciliation would probably often fail, and that in such an event arbitration must be resorted to, and the umpire, perhaps, be called in. At this point those who dis credit the method of arbitration take issue and object to a system which commits the decision of labor differences to a single in dividual, who may not have the special or technical knowledge which it is assumed is necessary to enable him to decide intelli- gently or justly; for, the SC critics say, if an umpire is selected who is acquainted with the business or trade, it is probable that he has at some time been either an employer or an employee, and consequent ly may be biased. But the experience of boards of arbitration is conclusive, that both those who are skilled and those who are unskilled in the industries in which disputes are to be settled have been most successful umpires. Sir Rupert Kettle, who has been signauy successful as an um- pire in England, especially in the iron in these industries. Thomas Hughes, M. P,
 
 are all persons not connected with manu- featuring or mining, and who have no practical knowledge of their details, but who have nevertheless been very success full arbitrators.t
 Furthermore, it is true that the settle ment of the most important industrial and trade questions, and those involving large interests and intricate details, is every day submitted through the courts to the decis- ion of persons not at all acquainted with the details of the industries or trades or questions involved. A court of law, in a civil action, is principally court of arbitration and in courts of equity, when the issue turns upon questions of usage or complicated details, it is not un- usual for the judges to hand over the case for decision to arbitrators who may be ac- quainted with the subjects or the technical practice of the trade involved. It has been found, too, that the success of the umpire will not depend upon his practical acquaintance with the trade so much as upon the man himself. If the umpire is candid and man of good judgment he can get sufficient knowledge of the trade to enable him to give just and intelligent decision. The presentation Of the case before the ,,arbitrators, like the presenta tion and argument of case before the court, ought to furnish whatever informa ton is necessary to an intelligent under. standing of the question at issue
 l If the umpire be wise and prudent il will be found that his office will be little more than to promote calm discussion, tc inquire into the facts, and with the au thority of his position and his impartiality make them known to the board. On the other hand, as against conciliation withou arbitration, it is to be remembered tha
 boards of conciliation are composed of th
 parties to the issue and that these enter
 tain the views and prejudices of thei classes. Such bias must, to some extent cloud the judgment and forbid impartial de cisions. While concedlng to the opponent of arbitration that this method of settlin.
 labor differences has not alwas been sue cessful, it is pertinent to inquire if failure
 has been in any way due to the manner o
 application of the method.
 Committees, or boards of arbitration
 have uniformity been one of two kinds
 temporary boards or permanent 07at systena0tic boards. A temporary boart
 is one that is organized in an emel
 gency, perhaps in the midst of a strik or lockout, and which passes out c
 existence as soon as the particular wor
 it was organized to do has been accom-
 pllshed or it's efforts to that end hav failed. A permanent or systematic boar
 is one which has 8 continuous existence
 and which deals constantly and systemati
 cally with all labor differences which aris
 between employer and employed in spec
 flied trade, works or district. It seems t me to need no argument to demonstrat which of these boards is the better adapte
 to succeed.
 While temporary boards of arbitratio may successfully settle questions that ar referred to them, it is nevertheless nor than evident that the chances are agains
 them. When a labor strike is threatene , or in progress there is little opportunit for fair investigation or discussion, and th !, decisions of boards organized at such time is accepted by one party, or both, frol , necessity, and is apt to be, like tn
 board itself, temporary. believe that
 may be safely asserted that majority ( , the failures of arbitration, and most of th , doubt with which the method is regarded have grown out of the incompetency ( these temporary boards. They entirel ignore, from necessity, what IS regarde by the advocates of arbitration as the mo- essential feature of the system-prevel tion, not cure for it can not be too ofte emphasized that the demand in connectio with labor differences is not for metho of settling strikes and lockouts, but for method that shall prevent labor differel ces, either by removing their causes or b promptly settling them before they gro
 into open warfare. It IS asserted in beha , of the method of arbitration and concili ! tion that permanent boards, with the , systematic procedure and stated meeting : answer this demand, and that the temp rary boards, however valuable they ma be in gwen case, do not. Permanel I boards also, recognizing the equality employer and employed, and the right each to an equal voice in the settlement
 all questions, meeting at stated times whe . no demand has been formulated, ,and no bi terness engendered, afford opportunities f ! the growth of that confidence which mu 5 exist if any method of harmonizing u differences between employers and CT ' ployed is to be effective. Permane : boards, like courts of law, become posse 3 sors of presidents and facts concernil 2 2 previous investigations which are invalu a ble and which can be referred to witho l. arousing suspicion. The value of SUI
 data, together with an exact record of tl
 past is at times beyond estimation. Ea ]. year adds, in this respect, to the value . permanent board of arbitration. ItseeI clear then that permanent boards of arl Q tration art9 to be preferred to tenn pora