The Press., 1891-01-29

factory rules that most certainly are. Moreover the fixing of future rates of wages is sound and in accordance with the commonest business practice and prudence. It is simply impossible in the present or ganization of industry that work should go on for single hour without an agree ment as to what wages shall be paid and whether this agreement Is for an hour or a day it is fixing future rates of wages. Further such establishment of future rates of wages is exactly analogous to the very common and commendable practice of buying and selling goods for future de- livery. A rate of wages established for fixed period justifes an employer in enter ing upon contracts for the purchase of ma terials and the delivery of goods, with a certainty that cannot otherwise exist.
 It is to be remembered that these qnes- tions as to the future must be met, that they cannot be ignored, and whatever view may be taken as to their expediercy, they must be answered. Labor must know the terms upon which it is to toll, and an answer to it's demand being i'm perative, what method promises to answer as justly and correctly as arbitration Ar bitration IS the method of civilization, the method of reason. The great curse of modern industry is foolish obstinacy and
 
 between employers and employed. Arbi- tration and COL ciliation more than any oth- CT method tends to lessen distrust and suspicion, and to create feeling of conf dence and harmony between the classes.
 I do not contend for compulsory legal arbitration I would put arbitration with in the pale of the law only so far as it would derive dignity and certainty of op. eration therefrom. Within the realm of labor to degree unknown elsewhere, gov ernment exists only by the consent of the governed. The mora voluntary therefore the operation of a method for settling labor differences can be made the better, pro vided that the system be still effectual would apply the law, in our country, to the existing methods of arbitration, to the end that the appointment of members of the boards should be for term of years, and by the executive, not the popular vote, and to the further end that when differ ences were once voluntarily submitted to the boards, the parties should be held ir- revocably by the finding or award. With boards thus appointed and empowered each party to labor difference would be placed in a strong light as to the honesty and fairness of it's contentious for boards owing their appointment to the executive, could be, like courts similarly appointed, above the suspicion of bias, and neither party to difference could urge the ire sponsibility of the other, so long as the award of the arbitrators could be enforced like actions at law,
 To arbitration laid upon such lines as I have indicated, would commit the solution of labor differences upon such system would fasten the strongest hope of industrial peace. Arbitration is not a perfect remedy, but we know that per- feet remedy for none of the evils of human society can be found, and we are not seek ing the unattainable here. Arbitration is 8 substitute for lockouts and strikes, those irritating, wasteful. degenerate con- tests which retard good part of the pre- gress of civilization and foster discontent and confusion. The whole history of ar bitration is encouraging, it has become subjt ct of consideration by international assemblies, it is the one bright hope that interposes today between the armies of Europe and armed conflict. Why not hope for solution of the great problem be tween employer and employed by the ap- plications of this same method of peace and conciliation? sss '. MS