St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-07
PROPOSED LAW FOR PRE-.
VENTING STRIKES,

who is chairman of the labor commit
tee of the house. has been dev citing
much thought aud research to the re.
lations of employers ami employees. He
has been himself laboring man, active
In the cause of organized labor, and his
constituency is composed more largely
OF workingmen than the constituency
of any other representative from the
west. In common with all Intelligent
men, MIR. MeGann deprecates the fire.
! quent resort to strikes for the settle.
ment OF disputes, and thinks the III ethod
can be improved upon. He has accord
lngly prepared bill which he will
shortly offer. Before doing SO, however,
he will submit the measure to the chiefs
Of the labor zations. and seek
from them suggestions that will tend to
make his plan thoroughly effective.
Briefly, Mr.. McGann's plan contem-
plates the general Introduction of the
contract system between workmen of
all classes and their employers.
The contract Is to be prerequisite
to any employment. 1t Will recite that
the parties will avoid strikes and other
radical means of remedying abuses, by
agreeing to refer all disagreementS to
an arbitrator Or TO board of al btrators,
each party naming one and the other
two naming the third. With this con-
tract in existence, arbitration would be
assured in advance of grievance aris-
ing, and no strike could occur without
breach Of the contract by one party or
the other which breach. In Mr.. Nc
Cams Judgment, would turn public
sentiment against the one that broke
the agreement. and thus compel him TO
accede to the arbitration contract.
While it is scarcely to be expected
| that this plan will prevent or lead to
| the settlement of all disputes, it viii
undoubtedly lead to an amicable adjust
ment of many. The measure is simply
advisory, for its author acknowledges
that congress has no authority to make
it obligatory except as far as it may
apply to cases involving federal rights
or commerce between the several states.
The principle underlying it, however,
will be commended by all who have the
best interests of the community at
heart.
Little good has ever resulted from
strikes. They have brought loss and
suffering upon the participants, and in
| Jury to manufacturing and commerce.
Few grievances have been remedied by
such means. The plan proposed by Mr..
McGann does not menace the public
| peace or safety. 1t presumes that ali
| classes are willing to do that which is
| just and right, and that all are equally
solicitous for the public welfare. There
! is reasonable certainty that the arbi-
! traitors chosen under its terms will be
men OF integrity and character. who will
strive to arrive at fair adjustment of
whatever disputes may be brought be-
fore them, bearing in mind both the
grievances of the employees and the ne
cessities of their employers There can
be no objection to test of the plan. at
any rate; and there need be no fear
that it will be opposed, except by the
| few men whose interests are best served
by stirring up strife and fomenting dis.
| order.
1t is mistaken idea that all employ
erS are the natural and implacabIe foes
OF their workmen. 1t is to the interest
of the manufacturer that his workmen
should be well fed and housed. content
ed and happy. Better service can be
had from such men than from thos e
who are living in poverty and squalor,
and are continually complaining and
brooding over their hard lot IN life No
man can do good work when his mind
is haraSSed by the fear that his wife
and children will not have sufficient
food and clothing, or will be denied the
small luXuries which they ardenIly
crave. Human nature is the same in
all walks of life.
The arbitration of difficulties of this
nature is their only reasonable solution.
The country may not yet be prepared
for such change in methods. but that
it Will eventually come is beyond ques-
| ton.