Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-09-14

t'ull 'Ohtlttllu1 WIFI Il ullupi. l<tDoi
organization is an association of per-
sons, unknown To the law. banded to-
gether TO dictate terms and fix con-
dtions of employment; 70 say who and
what class of persons may be employed;
and claim voice in the management
of business, having no legal corporate
Identity, unable to enter into legal bind
ing obligations to fulfil the judgment
of arbitrators; like the minor, ready 10
avail themselves of a favorable reward,
and to repudiate that which is unfav0r-
able. Well they might clamor for ar
biration, with hope of benefit and no
fear of loss. With such surroundings,
the Pullman Co. refused to step de-
liberately into the trap. Arbitration
not meeting a favorable response from
the Pul man Co., the labor leaders APP
pealed , congress for an act 20 provide
for compulsory arbitration, as a final
solution Of what they claim TO be an
entangled problem between labor and
capital. The demand was so loud and
stlong, that a bill was introduced in
congress by Mr.. Hudson (populist), of
Kansas, to legalize and enforce speedy
and economic method of bringing M
willing parties to settlement. The bill
as reported is entitled, "A bill TO pre-
vent and settle strikes, to settle by ar
bitration all differences between en-
ployers and employees, and TO provide a
penalty for refusal or failure TO abide
by the decision of the arbitrator. ="
The bill provides: That all disputes
as to wages, hours of work, the right
TO discharge or quit work shall be sub
mitted to three arbitrators, appointed
by a circuit court in all cases where the
courts or the United States military
authorities may be invoked. Persons
guilty of disturbing the property OF en-
ployes without having applied for arbi-
tration shall be deemed guilty Of ma
iicious mischief. The same rule shall
apply 70 employers who reduce wages
OF discharge men without submitting
the case 70 arbitrators In all the last
cases employers shall be liable for the
full amount of wages until the employees
shall find other employment. the period
not 70 exceed one year; nor can they
call upon the United States forces for
protection until they have applied for
arbitration" Is il possible. that con-
/ gress will for moment entertain such
a measure? We think not. l. there
any power in government like ours
to compel person or corporation 10
submit TO arbitration against the will?
/ Such power does not exist in the magma
charta Of English liberty-much less in
our constitution. Compulsory arbtra-
ton is a contradiction of terms. like en-
/ forced freedom. 1t has been wisely
said Arbitrary power is most easily
established on the ruins of liberty q"
Suppose Though not supposedly that
Mr.. Hudson's bill becomes law, en-
torcable; it must apply Unfortunately
to every corporation, firm and individ-
nal that employs labor, whatever the
business may be requiring labor; and
70 every man, woman and child who
labors for hire. The effect of such a
law would annul every principle of civil
liberty. Think of it. "All disputes a
10 wages hours Of work, the right to
discharge or quit work shall be submit
ted to arbitrator to be appointed by a
circuit court" etc. y farmers crops
are ripe for the harvest. his hands en-
gagged, and work commenced; the
hands pretend TO be dissatisfied. put
up Job on the farmer. The land owner
is in dilemma; either horn is ruin.
If he elects to apply for arbitration and
the court is not in session. an extra
term is necessary; or if fortunate
enough to find the court in session, en-
gagged in large number of like appli-
cations for arbitrators, and the farmer
must wait his turn on the calendar or
if so fortunate as TO find the court ready
to hear his application, before the whole
complicated proceedings could reach an
award. whether favorable or unfavora-
bic. his crops are ruined. If he takes
the other horn, and discharges the dis
satisfied hands, and takes care of his
crops with new help, the discharged
hands will draw the full amount of
wages until they find other employ
ment, not to exceed one year. If the
farmer is able to foot the bill, the dis
missed hands are not very likely to find
"other employment during the year.
The same complication will present