The morning call., 1892-08-06
HOW 1T WOULD BE.

The New York Sun ridicules the PROPOSE
ton to submit differences between en-
pioyers and employees to courts of arbitra-
ton. The Sun supposes cases which it
imagiues might arise under such a law and
anticipates news reports like the following:
In the Supreme Court of Arbitration yesterday
tie conviction Of Hugh O'DoHneH was affirmed.
O'Donueu was sentenced by the Pennsylvania
Court OF Arbitration 10 one years Imprisonment
for attempting 10 leave the employ OF Carnegie,
phipps & Co. 10 take place al a higher salary
ia Ohio.
When lawmakers enter upon the task Of
providing tribunals for the settlement Of
such differences as have arisen between
Carnegie. Phipps & Co. and the men re-
Gently employed in the Homestead mills
they will keep fundamental principles in
view. They will not undertake TO say
that an employer shall pay certain rate of
wages, nor that laborers shall work at a
certain rate Of wages. a wise lewmaker
VIII meet new conditions with measures
ADAPTED to their adjustment to the natural
relations Of men aud women. There is a
great deal that courts Of arbitration may
90 without assuming to determine the exact
rates Of wages. An authoritative eXamina-
ton into facts would 20 far to settle any
strike. a tribunal which might ascertain
what product cost, and compare that cost
with the market price of the product, would
show to the world the justice or injustice of
q strike for higher wages. The Homestead
strike was brought on by lack of positive
knowledge as to the cost of the product.
The strikers did not believe that the condI-
ton of business warranted a reduction of
wages. They knew about what the product
fpr an n or no
out large profits for the mill-owners at a
time when efforts were being made to re-
duce wages. Had there been a tribunal
authorized to ascertain facts it is quite prob
able that the trouble which has cost both
parties so dearly might have been aYerted.
The Sun has taken the mil-Owner's side
OF the conflict from the start. II does not
admit the right Of labor to organize. 1t
must know that the proposition to establish
courts Of arbitration did not include q
measure which would make the resignation
of a position unlawful Neither is such q
measure necessary to accomplish the work
such courts are expected to accomplish.
Wise statesmen perceive new conditions as
they arise. Within the last few years vast
combinations of capital have alarmed
thoughtful men. They see trusts which
control all the labor engaged in certain
large industries. They see too that these
trusts have disregarded the equities of
business; in other words, they have not
given labor always fair share. 1t is esti-
mated that the Standard Oil trust has real
lied the enormous sum of $500, 0OO, 900 for
its stockholders. While this vast sum has
been accommodating labor has been moder-
ately paid. The same is true of the sugar
trust the steel trust and the score Of other
trusts which have got control of large
industries. The formation of these trusts
has created new conditions. Capital In one
sense has single head. The workman
cannot appeal from one employer to an
other. He cannot appeal to the law. for
under the law he has only the right to work
for suea wages as he can command. In this
condition he resorts to organization. 1t is
combination against combination. The re-
suit will be such costly conflicts as that
which is now being waged at Homestead
unless lawmakers provide new agencies for
the adjustment Of new conditions 1t is
quite certain that arbitration can do no
harm, and that there may be cases where it
can do great good