The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-01
TRIBUNALS OF LABOR.
rME C0NcLUsI0NS or THE BRITISH
ROYAL COMMISSION.
4 General system Deemed Unwise-Ap-
pointmsnt OF an Ofiiciai Arbitrator
Contradictions of Work.

LONDON, April 3O.-The royal labor
commission has agreed upon the report
compiled by the Duke OF Devonshire. and
4 Il IL made the basis OF the commissions
own report.
The Dukes recommendations included
the statement that 1t was unwise TO IN
sti,ute any general system Of industrial
tribunals. He added. however. that there
might be some advantage in empowering
town and county councils TO establish
them tentatively. without directly appoint
ing members. Any court Of this Kind duly
authorized, would have statutory powers
similar TO the county courts. These XII
bunals would only deal wan disputes
affecting large bodies Of men. IL IS
believed that IL would do more harm
than good TO establish boards with legal
powers.
The Duke, In his report, also said that
ne could not recommend the direct estao-
lishment Of boards Of Cancellation ana ar
bitra;ion by the State; but the opinion
was expressed that central department
having means 10 procure accurate in
formation. might do much by advice and
assistance to promote their more rapid
universal establishment.
The report next dealt with The appoint
ment OF official arbiTatcrs, ana the
opinion was expressed that the Giiiiculty
often experienced I'm finding suitable
arbitrator might be overcome by giving
n public department power 10 appoint an
arbitrator 10 act alone or In conjunction
with others II the same persons were
Frequently appointed they would become
arbitration experts, fairly free from the
suspicion Of bias. Their expenses would
be paid By the Treasury
The report considers IL TO be Of no ad-
vantage 10 institute special labor de-
partmcut, but It advocates Government
inquiry, with the view 10 remedying the
confusion now existing in the admins
tration Of various acts dealing with san
jtary regulations. hours Of labor Tor Wo-
men and children. and other matters OF
that kind.
Wages AND HOURS OF LABOR.
The second part OF the report deals with
wages and hours of labor. No one. IT says
seems seriously 10 argue that wages
could bc fixed by legislation. but opinions
are very much divided about the regu-
lation Of hours of labor. The proposal
that a maximum working day be fixed Tor
all trades and occupations is dismissed
as not calling for serious examination.
The settlement of hours OF labor In any
trade by a vote OF the trade is more
defensible. but no scheme has been laid
before the commission which solves the
difficulty Of defining trade ana OF as
pertaining its collective decision.
The commission heard only one side OF
.he question of an eIRnt-hOurs day, so
far as IL concerns the great area controll-
cd by the miners federation. as that or
gsni7ation refused 10 give evidence. But
they are not prepared to advise that the
legislature should lay down general
rule for a number Of districts. varying
30 much In circumstances.
The report points out that the miners
are an exceptionally well organized body Of
workmen. who have not found any diff
Guilty i'm doing for themselves whatever
they desire IN such matters as the regu-
lation Of the length Of hours Of labor.
The Secretary Of State has power under
the factory and workshops act Of 1891, 10
establish special rules for the conduct Of
manufacturing processes, which he may
certify 20 be dangerous or injurious 10
health. According TO the report the pow
ers OF the Secretary of State should be
expressly extended as 10 include the
regulation Of hours In the certified indus
tries. 1t is further suggested that when
the administrative orders dealt with wo-
men and children they should be final, and
when men are concerned they should lie
for time upon the tables Of both houses
before becoming law.
In regard 10 non-unonist labor the re-
port says that the commission does not
. think il possible by any legislation to
remove the causes of those serious CON
fiicts which have taken place. especially
In recent years, i'm the less skilled and
organized trades. The commission holds
that non-unionist workmen should be pro-
tected. so far as possible by the public
authorities. ard that individual liberty
for ma ters TO employ men to serve whom
they please should be by all means main
tanned.
INTIMIDATION by pICKErING.
According to the report there seems to
be a general desire among workmen, as
well as masters, for some clear definition
OF intimidation by picketing. Though en-
ployers urged the hardship of collective
intimidation. without acts for which In
dividuals can be punished. the report
says that the commission is not prepared
10 recommend any change in the law.
The opinion is expressed that when pick
citing takes the shape OF besetting the
entrance of a factory in a threatening
manner 10 comes under the definition of
unlawful assembly But II is pointed out
that moral compulsion may be carried
10 great lehstns, In ways Whlch the law
cannot control and Cannot usefully at
tempt to control. 1t Is added. however.
that there is point at which IL can in
tervene with decided effect without any
alteration except the reduction of its
precepts to "A form which a plain man
may clearly understand.
The sanitary condition OF labor Is the
last subject dealt with by the report,
and IL is stated that. though not directly
leading the strikes or lockouts. this con-
dition has considerable indirect in
fuapca uron tho Relations bet.Vaap am