The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-09
COURTS OF AKBITRAMENr.

We notice that All investigation Of the
causes " ich led to the unfortunate occur
TeUces which recently took place in the
Carnegie Iron Works near PittSburg has
been moved IN both Houses of Congress. 1t
Is eminently proper that such an investiga-
lGpB should be had, for the outbreak affects
d "a rye number Of perS0ns-not less, per-
nap'e =, than 100000 persons in aud about
fburg alone. and in other locations there
20 telling what interests may be ind-
reg-tiy affected. Congress will doubtless
Aend committees, which will report as to
the causes which led up to the employment
Of PinkertOn's men to 90 and take posses
sion Of the works, with a view to the en-
e actment Of laws 10 prevent such caami-
ties in the future. Efforts viii doubtless
be made to turn the event into partisan
channels, but We do not see how this can be
successful without the commission Of the
graVest errors. Congress should legislate
SO as to render misunderstanding between
employers and employed unfrequent. THE
CALL has believed for some time past that
laws should be enacted and, if need be,
court organized to settle disputes between
labor organ iZati0ns, corporations and indi-
viduaIs. 1t viii not avail to urge that capt.
tai and labor should be left to settle their
should not step in with a view to decide
what should be done for labor; for the in
terestS concerned are too vast to admit Of
leaving matters at loose ends as they are at
present. It seems perfectly proper for
the law making powers CT the country
to enact laws which will settle con-
troyerses beween employer and en-
pl0yed upon an equitable basis. Surely
an organization could be constituted
TO which either party might look with con-
fdence in the expectation OF obtaining its
rights. Settlement of all disputes should be
referred to disintereSted parties. Indi-
vidualS 60 to the courts, and if two individ-
uals fad 1t necessary TO have their disputes
settled by an authority organized by law
how much more important does il seem to
have disputes and controversies settled
which interest thousands of people In the
difficulties which have arisen in and around
Pittsburg it is said that not less than leo. COO
persons may be thrown out of employment,
ifafeW indiscreet individuals have their own
way at the present time. We believe labor
troubles are an important matter-so I'M
portant that they should not be neglected
by the law making power of the country
One hundred thousand people in a single
city cannot be LETT without some safeguards
-
have never been witnessed in the United
States heretofore are likely to occur here
after. We realize that vast aggregates of
capital may urge that operatives must work
for the wages which are offered to them
that capital viii not be dictated TO by the
employed. 10 such persons it ca be urged
that they accumulate their wealth through
the protection Of laws. While this country
had but spare population workmen could
60 upon the public lands and live comfort
ably, but the public lands are nearly all
absorbed; besides, men brought up
in manufacturing cities have learned
trades. They can do one thing, and one
thing only TO advantage. They have fami-
lies depending upon them. and these fami-
lies must be supported. While our country
was comparatively small we had no labor
troubles Now we have vast population,
hence we must enact laws to provide for the
changed conditions. We have neglected to
provide laws for the regulation of employees
and employers; laws to settle the contro-
yersies which must necessarily arise. Then,
again, we have permitted trusts to spring
up without hIndrance. Men have, by vari-
Gus eXpedients, accumulated wealth almost
beyond conception. The trusts have OBJ
tanned great power. To certain extent
elections. Senators and members of Con-
gress are made bythem. Aside from these
trusts and few corporations, there are no
serious obstacles in the way of the progress
Of the republic. AL is prosperity with this
single exception. The money power Of the
country Is generally under subsection to
the laws. The trusts are not regulated,
but they Will be in the end. This couD-
try's prosperity has not been brought about
by the ROckefellers. Havemeyers or Car
negies. 1t sounds well, perhaps, with the
unthinking to hear that such a person is
worth S100,000,000 no matter how this
wealth has been obtained, but it is not well
for the institutions Of the country that such
vast accommodations should go on. Laws
must be enacted which will put an end to
combinations which Cypress everybody.
We realize that there can be no safety for
the public unless laws be enacted which
viii render it impossible for powerful cor
poratlons or companies TO employ armed
men to threaten the community. In the
Carnegie outbreak men were employed to
bear arms. Barfcades were established
with portfolios for rflemen to FIRE through.
Barges were fashioned with portfolios also,
and they were lined with steel plates. as if
preparations were made for a battle. If
property was threatened. there were the
local authorities to protect it. The State
authorities also could be relied upon, and in
case If failure here, the United States
authorities stand back of all. But what an
unfortunate condition of things would it de-
note il all of the lion establishments in and
about Pittsburg should be permitted to
combine and arm men to supersede the law
full authorities Of the country? Hence, we