Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-26
Democratic c-NOrthWeSt.
AND HENRY COUNTY NEWS.
Compulsory Arbitration

compulsory AEDiCrhtiOu.
There seems to be an impression
abroad, in many quarters, that solu-
tion of labor difficulties is TO be found
in compulsory arbitration. Now, il
this term has any meaning, it must
signify a legally constituted body
which should hear the arguments of
both sides in these difficulties between
employer and employed, and decide
between them, with power to enforce
its decisions, system of penalties for
disobedience, etc.--in other words, a
United States or State court, as the
case might be. But we have large
number of courts already; why not
resort to them? Evidently because it
is desired to secure and enforce decis.
IONS in a class of cases where NO Of
tense against ordinary laws, civil or
criminal, has been committed. AS
employer has cut down wages; has
dismissed man who belongs to an
influential labor organization; has en-
ployed men belonging 10 no organiza-
tion, or has purchased materials of, or
in some other way dealt with some
one else who has done one of these
things, and q strike or boycott is the
result. Now, while any overt act
committed by either party as an Incl
dent to the trouble may find its way
into our ordinary courts, evidently
the original grievance cannot; as we
are not ready yet to brand any of
these acts illegal when they do not in
volve the breaking of legal contract.
But what could new court Of ar
bitration do if given the power to
enforce its decrees2 Suppose strike
has arisen from a reduction Of wages
to one dollar day, and the court
decides that the manufacturer must
pay one dollar and fifty what
il he prefers to 60 out OF the business
rather than do so2 Must he 90 on in
a business which he no longer wishes
to follow, or be thrown into jail or
heavily fined? Or will the court seize
his capital and conduct his business
under a receiver, paying the former
owner such profits as may be thought
proper? And what if there should be
no profits at all, but loss9
Suppose, on the other hand, that
the court decides upon a less rate of
wages than the men are willing to
accept--shall they be forced to work
against their will? Or letthe difficulty
be over the employment of non union
laborers; shall the court on the one
hand forbid the employment of men
who will not join q certain organiza-
tion against their own judgment, or,
on the other hand, compel union men
to work for certain employer, when,
fol any reason sufficient to themselves
they wish to quit?
In short, is there any sphere at all
for courts Of compulsory arbitration
which would not involve an abroga,
tion Of individual rights characteristic
of despotism, or of nineteenth century
freedom The points Of dispute in
which it is in accordance with ordi-
nary ideas Of justice and right to
make and enforce legal decision are
within reach of existing courts. If
We cannot force ordinary laws in or
dinary courts, as against capitalists or
strikers, why should we hope for any
better success in new series Of courts
under new name2
When strikers are made to feel, |
through the channel of our ordinary
criminal courts, that the penltentiary
is the most probable sequel Of their
crimes, the ground will be cleared for
a satisfactory solution Of difficulties, |
and not until that time.
W. Fl. JOHNSON.
Denison University, Granville, o.