The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-17
THE WEATHER.
ARBITRATION N.

@H WORCESTERSHIRE "ONooAs W wv 'S
member Of the alliance party, proposes
the appointment of q congressional COM
mlttee to investigate the causes OF the
labor troubles in the Cnur d'Alene min
inc region. A like committee from the
senate has also been suggested. There
can be but little objection to such in
quiries but past experience leads us to
expect small practical results from them.
There have been many congressional in
ye~stigations of strikes in the last few
years, but no legislation has yet been
enacted to settle the %unceasing conflicts
between conflict and labor.
Since the recent outbreaks in Penn
~sylvania and Idaho public attention has
again been called to the plan of federal
arbitration outlined by President Cleve-
land in a special message to congress
when the great Missouri Pacific railroad
strike was in progress a few years ago.
Mr.. Cleveland's views are worth quoting
again. He said:
am satisfied that something may be done
under federal authority TO prevent the dis
turbances which so often arise from disputes
between employer and employed, and which
at times seriously threaten the business
interests of the country, and in my opinion
the proper theory upon which to proceed 10
that Of voluntary arbitration a. the means
of settling these difficulties. But I suggest
that instead Of a%rbitrators chosen in the
heat of conflicting claims and after each
dispute shall arise, there shall be created a
commission of labor, consisting Of three
members, who shall be regular officers of
the government. charged, among other
duties. with tho consideration and settle
ment, when possible, of all controversies
between labor and capital.
q commission thus organized would have
the advantage of being IN able body, and
its members as they gained experience,
would constantly improve in their ability
to deal intelligently and usefully with the
questions which might be submitted to
them. The establishment by federal author.
ity of such q bureau would be a just and
sensible recognition of the value of labor
and its right to be represented in the de-
%partments of the government. So far az
its c~onciliatory Offices shall have relations
to disturbances which interfere with transit
md commerce between the states, its e.
istence would be justified under the provi-
sions of the constitution which gives to con-
gross the power to regulate commerce with
foreign nations and among the several
states And in the frequent disputes
among the laboring men and their employ
ers. of less extent and the consequences of
which are confined within the state limits
and threaten domestic violence, the inter
position of such a commission might be
rendered upon the application of the leois.
laturs or executive of the state, under the
constitutional provision which requires tho
general government to protect each of the
states against domestic violence
II such a commission were fairly organ
lied. the risk of a loss of popular support
and sympathy resulting from a refusal to
submit to so peaceful ar in"strumentality
would constrain both parties to invoke it's
interference and abide by its decisions.
There would also be good reasons to hope
that the very existence of such an agency
would invoke application to it for advice
nnd counsel. frequently resulting in the
avoidance of contention and misunder-
VoANAA - uEGA0 y l bUCd d COn-
mission is doubted because it might lack
power to enforce its decisions. much en-
enlargement is derived from the conceded
good that has been accomplished bv the
railroad commissions which have been or
Ran'zed in several of the states, which,
having little more than advisory power,
have exerted a most satisfactory influence
In the settlement of disputes between con-
hioting interests.
Here, it seems to us, is the basis on
which Legislators should work. Many
OF the great labor organizations are al
ready n~ationulized, and doubtless would
heartily approve the appointment of
such a board with which their leaders
could quickly and conveniently consult.
And with the creation of a federal board
OF this sort other unions that are now
local IN their nature would find it desir-
able to nationalize their organizations
under uniform rules SO hat they. too.
could more easily secure the benefits of
arbitration.
1t is prevention and not cure that leg
islators should seek. The settlement of
strikes after they occur, except by sur
render OF one side or the other, after a
demonstration of force, is almost i'm
possible. We believe Mr.. Cleveland ia
on the right track.
THE MINER IN GERMANY.
A writer in the Harvard Quarterly
journal of Economics for July gives