The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-24
GOMPERs TO DEMAGOGUEs.

The Sentinel and other demagogic news
papers have been shouting. the past two
weeks, that the Debs affair is a great vic
tory for labor because ii will make neces-
sary the enactment and enforcement of
what, without any discrimination in regard
to the meaning of words, they are pleased
to call compulsory arbitration. Hoping to
rescue the free-trade party from defeat
this fall by raising new issue, the Senti-
mel cried out for every laborer not to vote
for any man for the Legislature who
will not pledge himself to vote for COM
pulsory arbitration law. Doubtless the Sem
tinel will go in that ranting manner
about compulsory arbitration and in the
next column advocate free coal, free wool
and practical. free trade, which will place
American labor in nearly even competition
for the markets of this country, which
have hitherto belonged to the American
producer. Others. however, who labor in
some manner would like to know what
those who have studied the labor question
otherwise than annex of the Demo-
cratic voting machine-such men, for in
stance as President Gompers, of the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor, the most extern
sive, the best organized and the most vigor-
Gus organization of trades in the country
arbitration" Here is what President Com
pers has just said on this subject:
The American Federation has rejected the
compulsory arbitration proposition of three
OF It's conventions. Organized labor regards
the very terms as antithetical Arbitration
is rredicated upon the idea of voluntary
submission of the matters in dispute TO
disinterested parties. CoInpusion would
rob arbitration of its only essential feature
compulsory arbitration cannot be. should
be in favor always Of mediation and con-
Citation. would have law in each State
providing for the appointment of perrna-
nsnt board of mediation to be located in
each industrial center and composed of
ing with the labor organizations of the
State, and of representative employers.
When a. dispute arises between workingmen
and employers, and they cannot of their
own accord arrive at an amicable adjust
ment of the difficulty, IL should be within
the power of either party to call upon the
board of mediation to investigate and en-
deavor to effect an agreement If the medi-
ators fail to accomplish the desired end it
grieved to appeal to a State board of medi-
ators, organized on the same basis as the
local board, and appointed for the especial
purpose OF hearing appeals If then the
matter cannot be adjusted and both par
ties agree to such action, the dispute
should be referred to board of arbtra-
ton. which should be appointed for the
purpose of making awards in such cases.
These awards should be final, but you OBJ
serve that / make the condition that both
predicate the entire matter upon voluntary
reference. You cannot enforce arbtra ton.
It would also violate our insti-
who did not wish to work from putting on
his coat and walking out of his employers
shop. 1t would also violate our institutions
to say TO a capitalist that he must operate
his business whether he wished TO or not
and, as matter of fact, 1t would be obvi-
ously impossible to enforce any such COM
pulsory laws IL they were placed upon the
statute books.
The Journal does not agree with Mr..
Gompers in of his views; but his
opinions regarding the adjustment of diff
culties between employer and employee, as
set forth in the foregoing extract, are SEN
sible and practical, and bear the impress
of one who is in earnest to avoid the con-
tentions which have at times arrayed the
two wings of the army of production into
hostile camps. 1t would be a great thing
for the productive forces of the country if
questions relative to mediation and arbitra-
ton could be discussed and determined
without the noisy Eruption of the Office
hunting demagogue, with his infammatory
yawp rrT
1t may be added that Mr. Gompers prac-
tically condemns the demand upon the Pull
man company which Mr.. Debs made the
basis of his strike. namely, that the com
pany should open its works and give en-
ployment at wages which a board of arbi-
tration should decree. "It would violate
our institutions" says Mr.. Gompers, ito
pass a law to prevent a man who does not
wish to work from putting on his coat and
leaving his employers shop; it would vio-
late institutions" he continues ito say
TO a capitalist that he must operate his
business whether he wants to or not"
These are the bedrock truths upon which
any fabric for avoiding strikes should be
based.