Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-09

dark things; all thse are employed. Inc
teachings are anarchial, and the result
is anarchy-"A state OF society when
the laws are not efficient, and indl-
vlduals do what they please with I'm
punity."
Well. George, you can't say the
strikers are unreasonable In their pres
emit demands. They are willing TO sub
nit the matter to arbitration, and the
public are tired of the trouble, and are
calling on the company to aroitrate ana
bring the matter to close.
l believe arbitration in general Is q
good thing, but it must be suited to the
case, and applied under proper condl-
tions. A man may take you oy the
throat and insist upon the settlement
of dispute with you by arbitration
while he holds his grasp, and his
friends look after the arbitrators. That
would be a proposal to arbitrate, but
don't. think the conditions would be
fair. don't agree with the preacher
who prescribed arbitration for all KINDS
of controversies. / don't think any bet
ter of his one cure for all controver-
si5s.- l do OF the nostrum of the ad-
vertising quack-one medicine for all
diseases. What did the City Council say
as to how to settle the matter by aroi-
tration? What would be the question
! to be decided? Who would be the par
ties to be bound by the decision?
Well, the Council didn't go into those
matters. They didn't say word about
the question to be decided, nor suggest
anything about the parties either, ex-
cept to propose that the street car
Union" should select one arbitrator,
and the Railway Company should select
one, and those two select third, and
their decision be binding on both par
ties"
What do the parties say TO that?
Why, the Railway Company hasn't
said anything. The City Clerk has
reply from-well, it is signed Roman
Dobler, for Legislative Committee; but
he says he is Acting for the Legisla-
tive Committee of the Trades Assembly
and IN behalf of the Electrical Employees
Union" and he says that I'VE" are
willing TO arbitrate.
Let's step into Mr.. Blackstone'S Of
flee here. want to see a City Ordl-
nance book.
All right, I'll go with you.
Now, Jack, what action did the City
Council take to stop the mobbing OF the
Company's men and the destruction OF
! the Company'S property in the city?
don't know of any action by the
Council. didn't hear Of any.
Well, see here in the charter that
Council has authority ITO pass such or
dlnances as shall be necessary to secure
the Inhabitants of the city against
thieves, robbers, burglars and all other
persons violating the public peace
of the city, and for the suppression OF
riots" How long had the riots and
disorder been going on before the COun-
Gil gave the Street Car Company its ad-
vice about the easy way to end the
"present unfortunate CONTROVERSY"
About four weeks, | believe. But
there is an ordinance in relation to riot
] ing already, isn't there?
! Well, there is an allusion to riot in
one section of the Ordinance on Offences,
but il is a very weak affair for such
| conduct. tits not directed to the sup
preston of riots" while they are going
on, and makes no provision for the pre-
vention OF them. 1t seems to me that
! the public welfare demands action from
the Council on that subiect-a subject
that it has something to do with-much
more than It demands its advice as TO
| the manner in which the Street Car
| Company shall investigate the miscon-
duct of its employees, or the amount OF
misconduct that shall suffice for the
| discharge of an employe, or whatever
! else it may. think is the point in the ''un-
| fortunate controversy" III the Com
pany has violated its agreement in any
ressect there are Courts established by
! law to attend 10 those manifestations
nails that are much more appropriate
| for the purpose than the City Council.
| Those tribunals can investigate the
facts. They are prepared to get at the
true merits of the controversy, II there
is any controversy that has any merits.
But, George, the railway company is
4 sOulless corporation Of foreign capital
lists, and needs special treatment. The
| Legislative Committee Of the Trades
Assembly says it has body without q
soul. That is true in law, too, isn't it,
| Mr. Blackstone?
Yes; the term "soulless" has been
used in speaking of corporations. They
are artificial persons, capable OF trans
acting business, making contracts, own
ing property, and suing and being sued
in their corporate name.
Then, my dear Jack, the company has
st least a body, tangible corporate
body, with property to look to, if it fails
to do its duty. l wonder how many
damage suits it has on its hands now, on
account OF accidents occaSioned by ne
elect or misconduct Of its employees, or
wrongs committed against the public by
them. Do you know, Mr.. Blackstone?
Why, four or five, believe.
! Now, Jack, you told me two weeks
ago that the company made a contract
last fall with the Union, or its COM
mittee. which was to be in force until
next September. Is it in force now, and
If not, why not?
No, it is not in force. The men claim
that the charges against the two men
who were laid off were not fairly inves-
tigated by the company-or at least
that the company did not decide the
matter right.
Did the company invite committee
Of the Union and the accused men to be
| present?
Yes; 1 understand they did.
Were they present?
Yes; except that the committee didn't
90 to hear what Mrs. Williams had to
say. They heard Williams and Ullom,
as against the two men. There were no
other witnesses.
Well, didn't the company have the
right 10 decide, after an investigation?
Yes, l believe so. But they didn't
decide right, and that broke the con-
tract.