The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-18


might, at least, be put upon record. Many
OF these expected facts were so recorded;
but the chief fact of all, TO wit: that the
methods OF the unions habitually over
stepped the law, was soon made plain TO
the country by the Homestead and Idaho
troubles; and when one of the most
| prominent labor leaders, in answer to a
hypothetical question. justified the action
/ OF the union men in these two affairs
\ upon the grounds set forth by Senator
| Palmer in his speech delivered at about
! Jbat time upon this question, your di-
rectors felt that any further attempts to-
! ward showing a disregard for law on the
/ Work OF supererogation. II was requested
! that the investigation be dropped, and
/ the request was complied with.
The labor problem cannot be solved
! by investigations. Ii a solution is ever
to be obtained il must be obtained
through the collective wisdom OF such or
! CARNATIONS as this. What that solution
viii be | cannot presume to say. There
has been some hope OF an era OF arbitra-
non, but Industrial arbitration has been
shown to be an industrial farce. The
very first difficulty in its application in
the past has been the inability of the
unions to understand what arbitration
really means. Their conception of arbi-
tratlon appears to be the sending of
committee TO ask compliance with their
demands. But, whether the unions come
To understand the meaning OF the word
or not, IL can never become the wished
Tor panacea.
ARBITRATION a FAILURE.
I'm the very first place no union has
ever been known TO ask for genuine ar
bltratlon until it has discovered that it
cannot win its fight. 1t is altogether too
much TO suppose that they Will change in
this regard. A Board Of Arbitration
which cannot act until both sides have
| requested 1t TO act is simply magnificent
! piece OF useleSSnesS: and, when the board
! has no power TO enforce its DEGREES, it is
not only useless, but it is absurd. But
! this Is not the kind OF a Board of Arbi-
tration the advocates of the system seek
TO have established. They desire a board
| with power to act upon, the application OF
| a single party to q controversy, and with
absolute power TO enforce its DEGREES.
Il cannot too strongly impress upon
! you the danger from such a proposition.
1t would simply result III time in de-
MAI OF the right to property. Such a
/ board, created Of politicians, would
truckle to the side controlling the most
votes.
Where could We lodge the power to
compel obedience to the DEGREES of such a
| COtSlN. suppose SuCH Il DOd1u SiiOulu
ueclde that a number Of men on strike
must go back to work against their wills,
would not the enforcement of such de-
cree be chattel slavery, pure and simple?
On the other hand, should it be decreed
and enforced that an employer should
hire certain particular set OF men and
none other, would not that be abso-
lutte State socialism?
"A dictatOrial Board of Arbitration can
never be tolerated in this country, and
! board without power is simply of no use
at all. Perhaps, if public opinion We're
strong enough and steadfast enough to
| compel both sides to abide by the DEGREES
OF arbitrators without the enactment of
laws, arbitration might be a success: but
pubic opinion is very tickle thing, and
oftentlmeS easily manufactured. 1t is idle
TO suppose 1t can ever have force enough
TO told the tents OF two hereditary hostile
camps.
what is to be the outcome of the pres
ent industrial unrest do not know; but
tins DO know, our proper course is or
ganizatIon. The very fact of employers
meeting and discussing these questions
VIII one day bring forth an understands
ing OF them. When we become so
strongly organized as to be able to take
the whole matter entirely into our own
hands a solution of the yexed question
may be reached
Following Davis address various re-
ports were presented. and the members
discussed broadening policy indicated
III constitutional amendment. The re-
port OF Treasurer Sig Nickelsburg indi-
Gated prosperity. and that of the Secre-
tary showed a growth in membership
from the leo firms with which the organi-
zatlon began its work to over $50 at pres
ent As there are only about 300 concerns
in the city that employ over twenty
hands-the class Of employers hitherto
admitted TO memberships is figured
that the membership is well extended.
1t is now planned to push out and secure
members in ali parts OF the State. There
are now a few members from Sacramento
and other interior points, but it is figured
that Los Angeles and other points should
now be included in the organizations
field.
For directors the following regular
nominees were voted for: Henry l..
Davis of California Wire Works; S. Nick
elsburg of Calm, NickeIsburg IL Co., shoe
manufacturers; l.. NJ. Herrick, Pacific
Pine Lumber Company; Oscar Lewis,
iron dealer; Albert Dernham OF Bucl<ing-
ham d Hecht, shoes; j. K. Carricll, box
manufacturer; A. Mclaughlin, National
Brewery; Wales l.. Palmer, iron dealer:
W. n. Miller, planning mill; w. G.
Brown, printer; William Kreling, farni-
ture manufacturer.