Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-07-27
Mr.. Phillips Measure.

About the only remedy that can be ad-
yanced to settle the question OF dispute De-
tween capitalists and wage earners' is az
bitration. But in order that this remedy
NAV be effectual, both sides must be will
ing TO abide by the results of the arbitra-
ton. From the very nature of our free in
stitutions there can be no compulsion about
II. Bearing these facts in mind, Ar.
Phillips elaborate plan to create a Labor
Commission is a very good one- he re-
commends no specific that is guaranteed
10 be a cure-all for strikes, but he SIMPLY
plans for the formation of committee oil
non-psrtisan men, who shall have full pow
or to investigate all the facts IN connectioh
with labor troubles, examining into the
laws touching upon the subject and whose
dntv IL shall be to recommend such legis-
lation as in its opinion, fully answers all
the difficulties of the problem. Mr.. Philips
is an active member of the House Com
mittee on Labor, and has given the SUD-
iect much thought and careful considera
ton. The laboring men OF the entire
country have no truer friend, or one VINO
il more earnest in his desire for their best
interests than he. No one can more fully
appreciate the task that is created for the
proposed Labor commission, but if it sue
ceeds in throwing new light upon yexed
problem, and can bring about reasonable
basis for the settlement of labor troubles,
put an end to strikes, lockouts and otner
barbarites Of similar nature, the labor
and cost involved will be of comparatively
small account.
Mr.. Phillips bill provides for the crea-
ton of a commission Of twenty-one per-
sons, representatives Of the labor, agricui-
tural and business interests of the country,
whose duty it shall be to inquire, whether
the existing laws are adequate for the pro-
lection of labor, and whether any OF them
conflict with the principles laid down IN
Declaration of Independence. The Com
mission is furthermore to investigate all
questions pertaining to immigration, to Ia
Dor. to agriculture and to business Ii
shall have full power to call upon and ex-
anime witnesses and be granted access TO
all information that it desires. The bill
provides for the ample compensation Of
the members of this commission, and
grants the President power to appoint
them.
Mr.. Phillips believes that such com
mission may be proftably employed for
two years. His own idea ID that most
serious problem confronts our country TO-
day and that the deep, underlying ques-
tion, is the one of equality of our citizens.
He wants this question to be settled by
lawful and constitutional means, and not
by appeal to the mad passion Of mob and
by social and industrial revolution. 1t is
to be hoped that Mr.. Phillips conclusion
in this respect may be wrong. The people
of this country, as a whole, are industrious
and law abiding. The anarchial element,
which would precipitate blOodshed and
revolution, is comparatively small. The
recent strike at Chicago bears witness to
the fact, that the violent acts of the
strikers, were universally condemned by the
greater part Of the thinking people Of the
country. Nevertheless, a commission
that will devise a plan
that will render such outbreaks as occurred
in Chicago and San Francisco, impossible,
merits, and will receive cordial support
everywhere. 1t may not be able to per-
form all that is expected from it, and its
labors may be utterly futile, but such con-
siderations, should not be permitted to
stand in the way of giving it thorough
trial.-Derrick.